Castro Marim: population and statistics
Castro Marim has a population of 7,570 (2025) across 300.8 km², or 25.2 people per km². It ranks 209 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is growing: +11.3% between 2021 and 2025.
- 7,570 residents
- 300.8 km²
- 25 people/km²
- 9 m
Key points
Among the 16 municipalities in Faro, Castro Marim ranks No. 12 by population.
Dwellings used as secondary residences: 58.2% in Castro Marim, compared with an average of 36.8% in Faro and 15.8% nationally.
Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants: 2,192 in Castro Marim, compared with an average of 3,596 in Faro and 722.7 nationally.
Largest business sector: Accommodation and food services, with 21.8% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 34° generates about 1,692 kWh a year here.
Castro Marim in numbers
Where is Castro Marim?
Population of Castro Marim over time
Castro Marim had 6,800 residents in 2021 and 7,570 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,800 |
| 2022 | 7,092 |
| 2023 | 7,331 |
| 2024 | 7,534 |
| 2025 | 7,570 |
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Faro for “Dwellings used as secondary residences”.
- Number 1 in Faro for “Electricity consumption per inhabitant”.
- “Dwellings used as secondary residences”: higher than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants”: higher than in 93% of municipalities.
- “Electricity consumption per inhabitant”: higher than in 92% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 42,134 football pitches.
- Its population density is 4.9 times lower than the national average.
All indicators for Castro Marim
Value for the municipality, then the regional average and the national median (for counts: regional and national totals). The gauge places the municipality between the lowest and highest value in the country.
Population
| Indicator | Castro Marim | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 31.5% | 22.5% | 26.9% | ranked 85 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 11.1% | 12.6% | 11.7% | ranked 183 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 283.4 | – | 229.9 | ranked 100 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 25.2 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 230 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | 11.32% | – | 4.50% | ranked 36 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Castro Marim | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 6,824 | 201,078 | 3,573,416 | ranked 176 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 8.8% | 11.9% | 12.8% | ranked 246 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 25.8% | 21.6% | 16.8% | ranked 20 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 6.0% | 10.4% | 14.2% | ranked 304 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 8,507 | 391,416 | 5,970,677 | ranked 169 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 58.2% | 36.8% | 25.8% | ranked 1 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 9.7% | 11.9% | 13.1% | ranked 253 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 76.8% | 66.7% | 77.8% | ranked 166 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 12.7% | 23.2% | 13.6% | ranked 172 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 12.3% | 49.6% | 13.8% | ranked 163 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 2,406 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 38 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Castro Marim | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 34.6% | 38.1% | 18.6% | ranked 62 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 4.5% | 5.1% | 12.6% | ranked 242 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 6,737 kWh/inh. | 4,504 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 25 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Castro Marim | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 970 | 93,838 | 1,510,274 | ranked 218 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 132.3 | 166.4 | 128.1 | ranked 133 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 10,578 € | 10,657 € | 10,553 € | ranked 152 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 79.4 | 97.5 | 79.5 | ranked 155 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Castro Marim | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 10.5% | 11.9% | 7.0% | ranked 27 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,155 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 255 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Castro Marim | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 165,553 | 20,782,405 | 82,011,658 | ranked 65 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 2,192 | 3,596 | 275.0 | ranked 23 of 306 | |
| Share of overnight stays in local accommodation (alojamento local) (2025) | 16.3% | – | 18.4% | ranked 98 of 178 |
Education
| Indicator | Castro Marim | Faro | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 13.2% | 18.5% | 13.2% | ranked 153 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Castro Marim
Business sectors: Castro Marim
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Accommodation and food services21.8% ×2.6
- Wholesale and retail trade14.2% ×1.0
- Administrative and support services14.0% ×0.9
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing9.9% ×1.2
- Construction7.5% ×1.1
- Professional, scientific and technical7.3% ×0.7
- Health and social work5.8% ×0.7
- Other service activities4.4% ×0.9
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Castro Marim?
Castro Marim has 7,570 residents (2025), ranking 209 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Castro Marim?
Castro Marim covers 300.8 km², with a density of 25 people per km².
Is the population of Castro Marim growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Castro Marim went from 6,800 to 7,570, a change of +11.3%.
Where is Castro Marim?
Castro Marim is in Faro. Latitude 37.217, longitude −7.450.
Dwellings used as secondary residences: what is the figure for Castro Marim?
In Castro Marim, “Dwellings used as secondary residences” stands at 58.2% (2021), ranking 1 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 25.8%.
Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants: what is the figure for Castro Marim?
In Castro Marim, “Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants” stands at 2,192 (2025), ranking 23 of 306 municipalities; the national median is 275.0.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Castro Marim?
In Castro Marim, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 34° produces about 1,692 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Castro Marim?
The nearest to Castro Marim are Vila Real de Santo António (3.5 km), Tavira (20 km), Alcoutim (28 km), São Brás de Alportel (39 km), Olhão (40 km).
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