Calheta (Açores): population and statistics
Calheta (Açores) has a population of 3,445 (2025) across 126.3 km², or 27.3 people per km². It ranks 284 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is falling: −0.8% between 2021 and 2025.
- 3,445 residents
- 126.3 km²
- 27 people/km²
- 0 m
Key points
Among the 19 municipalities in Região Autónoma dos Açores, Calheta (Açores) ranks No. 16 by population.
Unemployment rate: 2.7% in Calheta (Açores), compared with an average of 6.9% in Região Autónoma dos Açores and 8.2% nationally.
Usual residences with central heating: 1.6% in Calheta (Açores), compared with an average of 2.9% in Região Autónoma dos Açores and 13.8% nationally.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 49.2% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 30° generates about 1,216 kWh a year here.
Calheta (Açores) in numbers
Where is Calheta (Açores)?
Population of Calheta (Açores) over time
Calheta (Açores) had 3,473 residents in 2021 and 3,445 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,473 |
| 2022 | 3,451 |
| 2023 | 3,451 |
| 2024 | 3,464 |
| 2025 | 3,445 |
Did you know?
- “Unemployment rate”: lower than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Usual residences with central heating”: lower than in 98% of municipalities.
- “Buildings”: lower than in 96% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 17,683 football pitches.
- Its population density is 4.5 times lower than the national average.
- The nearest municipality is Velas, 18.9 km away.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Madalena (6,850 residents), 45 km away.
All indicators for Calheta (Açores)
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 | Calheta (Açores) | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 24.8% | 18.9% | 26.9% | ranked 193 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 11.4% | 13.6% | 11.7% | ranked 167 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 217.3 | – | 229.9 | ranked 172 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 27.3 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 222 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | −0.81% | – | 4.50% | ranked 267 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Calheta (Açores) | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 2,319 | 100,478 | 3,573,416 | ranked 295 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 13.6% | 15.1% | 12.8% | ranked 136 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 15.2% | 22.6% | 16.8% | ranked 203 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 17.9% | 9.7% | 14.2% | ranked 66 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 2,423 | 113,159 | 5,970,677 | ranked 297 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 30.0% | 10.8% | 25.8% | ranked 128 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 10.9% | 12.2% | 13.1% | ranked 224 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 75.3% | 74.6% | 77.8% | ranked 187 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 12.3% | 17.2% | 13.6% | ranked 180 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 2.2% | 11.4% | 13.8% | ranked 289 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 680 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 235 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Calheta (Açores) | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 78.6% | 76.7% | 18.6% | ranked 17 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 1.6% | 2.9% | 12.6% | ranked 299 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 3,291 kWh/inh. | 3,350 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 209 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Calheta (Açores) | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 616 | 31,396 | 1,510,274 | ranked 271 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 178.5 | 129.0 | 128.1 | ranked 39 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 9,644 € | 12,184 € | 10,553 € | ranked 229 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 73.7 | 87.8 | 79.5 | ranked 215 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Calheta (Açores) | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 2.7% | 6.9% | 7.0% | ranked 307 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,130 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 274 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Calheta (Açores) | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 7,058 | 3,109,259 | 82,011,658 | ranked 275 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 204.3 | 1,270 | 275.0 | ranked 192 of 306 |
Education
| Indicator | Calheta (Açores) | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 10.4% | 16.0% | 13.2% | ranked 250 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Calheta (Açores)
Business sectors: Calheta (Açores)
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing49.2% ×6.2
- Wholesale and retail trade11.0% ×0.8
- Administrative and support services10.1% ×0.6
- Construction5.8% ×0.8
- Accommodation and food services5.5% ×0.7
- Manufacturing3.6% ×0.8
- Transport and storage3.1% ×0.9
- Other service activities2.6% ×0.5
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Calheta (Açores)?
Calheta (Açores) has 3,445 residents (2025), ranking 284 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Calheta (Açores)?
Calheta (Açores) covers 126.3 km², with a density of 27 people per km².
Is the population of Calheta (Açores) growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Calheta (Açores) went from 3,473 to 3,445, a change of −0.8%.
Where is Calheta (Açores)?
Calheta (Açores) is in Região Autónoma dos Açores. Latitude 38.600, longitude −28.017.
Unemployment rate: what is the figure for Calheta (Açores)?
In Calheta (Açores), “Unemployment rate” stands at 2.7% (2021), ranking 307 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 7.0%.
Usual residences with central heating: what is the figure for Calheta (Açores)?
In Calheta (Açores), “Usual residences with central heating” stands at 1.6% (2021), ranking 299 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 12.6%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Calheta (Açores)?
In Calheta (Açores), a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 30° produces about 1,216 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Calheta (Açores)?
The nearest to Calheta (Açores) are Velas (19 km), São Roque do Pico (28 km), Lajes do Pico (30 km), Madalena (45 km), Santa Cruz da Graciosa (54 km).
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