Counties of Liberia: population and official figures
Liberia is divided into 15 counties. The largest by population is Montserrado with 1,484,000 people (32.2% of the total); the smallest is Grand Kru with 77,000. County figures come from the 2019-20 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey (LISGIS and the Ministry of Health, with ICF), the latest official survey with results for all 15 counties, and the LISGIS 2016 Household Income and Expenditure Survey for poverty. County populations shown are still the World Bank's 2016 estimates: the 2022 census county results could not be downloaded from the LISGIS website.
Who governs Liberia's counties?
Counties (15): Superintendent and deputies appointed by the president; the 2018 Act provides for an elected county council (not yet set up). Main level below the national government; implements national programmes and county development plans.
How local power works in Liberia · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 15 counties, largest first
| # | Countie | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montserrado | 1,484,000 | 2016 | – |
| 2 | Nimba | 613,000 | 2016 | – |
| 3 | Bong | 443,000 | 2016 | – |
| 4 | Lofa | 367,000 | 2016 | – |
| 5 | Grand Bassa | 294,000 | 2016 | – |
| 6 | Margibi | 279,000 | 2016 | – |
| 7 | Maryland | 180,000 | 2016 | – |
| 8 | Grand Cape Mount | 169,000 | 2016 | – |
| 9 | Grand Gedeh | 166,000 | 2016 | – |
| 10 | Sinoe | 136,000 | 2016 | – |
| 11 | Bomi | 112,000 | 2016 | – |
| 12 | Gbarpolu | 111,000 | 2016 | – |
| 13 | Rivercess | 95,000 | 2016 | – |
| 14 | River Gee | 89,000 | 2016 | – |
| 15 | Grand Kru | 77,000 | 2016 | – |
More on Liberia: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) and Ministry of Health, with ICF (The DHS Program): Liberia Demographic and Health Survey 2019-20, Final Report (county rows of the background-characteristics tables), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 431010570dbc…)
- Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS); file republished by the World Bank Data Catalog: Liberia Poverty 2016: poverty headcount by county, from the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2016 Statistical Abstract, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d7b29646deb3…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.