Ponta Delgada: population and statistics
Ponta Delgada has a population of 71,695 (2025) across 233.0 km², or 308 people per km². It ranks 41 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is growing: +2.4% between 2021 and 2025.
- 71,695 residents
- 233.0 km²
- 308 people/km²
- 14 m
Key points
Among the 19 municipalities in Região Autónoma dos Açores, Ponta Delgada ranks No. 1 by population.
Population aged 65 and over: 17.6% in Ponta Delgada, compared with an average of 18.9% in Região Autónoma dos Açores and 23.3% nationally.
Dwellings used as secondary residences: 6.1% in Ponta Delgada, compared with an average of 10.8% in Região Autónoma dos Açores and 15.8% nationally.
Largest business sector: Administrative and support services, with 14.9% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 31° generates about 1,310 kWh a year here.
Ponta Delgada in numbers
Where is Ponta Delgada?
Population of Ponta Delgada over time
Ponta Delgada had 70,018 residents in 2021 and 71,695 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 70,018 |
| 2022 | 70,446 |
| 2023 | 70,946 |
| 2024 | 71,533 |
| 2025 | 71,695 |
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Região Autónoma dos Açores for “Population”.
- Number 1 in Região Autónoma dos Açores for “Buildings”.
- “Population aged 65 and over”: lower than in 97% of municipalities.
- “Dwellings used as secondary residences”: lower than in 97% of municipalities.
- “Declared gross income per inhabitant”: higher than in 97% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 32,632 football pitches.
- Its population density is 2.5 times the national average.
All indicators for Ponta Delgada
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 | Ponta Delgada | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 17.6% | 18.9% | 26.9% | ranked 298 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 13.3% | 13.6% | 11.7% | ranked 40 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 132.0 | – | 229.9 | ranked 294 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 307.7 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 56 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | 2.40% | – | 4.50% | ranked 208 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Ponta Delgada | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 22,705 | 100,478 | 3,573,416 | ranked 38 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 15.4% | 15.1% | 12.8% | ranked 106 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 17.5% | 22.6% | 16.8% | ranked 140 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 9.1% | 9.7% | 14.2% | ranked 266 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 29,150 | 113,159 | 5,970,677 | ranked 57 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 6.1% | 10.8% | 25.8% | ranked 299 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 11.8% | 12.2% | 13.1% | ranked 196 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 74.3% | 74.6% | 77.8% | ranked 204 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 17.7% | 17.2% | 13.6% | ranked 87 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 22.9% | 11.4% | 13.8% | ranked 104 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 1,912 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 63 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Ponta Delgada | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 75.5% | 76.7% | 18.6% | ranked 21 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 3.4% | 2.9% | 12.6% | ranked 276 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 3,555 kWh/inh. | 3,350 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 171 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Ponta Delgada | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 8,778 | 31,396 | 1,510,274 | ranked 38 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 123.7 | 129.0 | 128.1 | ranked 183 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 14,021 € | 12,184 € | 10,553 € | ranked 11 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 102.2 | 87.8 | 79.5 | ranked 27 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Ponta Delgada | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 7.8% | 6.9% | 7.0% | ranked 101 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,577 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 19 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Ponta Delgada | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 1,560,205 | 3,109,259 | 82,011,658 | ranked 9 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 2,179 | 1,270 | 275.0 | ranked 26 of 306 | |
| Share of overnight stays in local accommodation (alojamento local) (2025) | 18.1% | – | 18.4% | ranked 91 of 178 |
Education
| Indicator | Ponta Delgada | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 21.0% | 16.0% | 13.2% | ranked 40 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Ponta Delgada
Business sectors: Ponta Delgada
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Administrative and support services14.9% ×0.9
- Accommodation and food services12.6% ×1.5
- Wholesale and retail trade11.3% ×0.8
- Health and social work11.0% ×1.4
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing11.0% ×1.4
- Professional, scientific and technical10.2% ×1.0
- Education5.8% ×1.3
- Other service activities4.6% ×0.9
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Ponta Delgada?
Ponta Delgada has 71,695 residents (2025), ranking 41 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Ponta Delgada?
Ponta Delgada covers 233.0 km², with a density of 308 people per km².
Is the population of Ponta Delgada growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Ponta Delgada went from 70,018 to 71,695, a change of +2.4%.
Where is Ponta Delgada?
Ponta Delgada is in Região Autónoma dos Açores. Latitude 37.740, longitude −25.670.
Population aged 65 and over: what is the figure for Ponta Delgada?
In Ponta Delgada, “Population aged 65 and over” stands at 17.6% (2025), ranking 298 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 26.9%.
Dwellings used as secondary residences: what is the figure for Ponta Delgada?
In Ponta Delgada, “Dwellings used as secondary residences” stands at 6.1% (2021), ranking 299 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 25.8%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Ponta Delgada?
In Ponta Delgada, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 31° produces about 1,310 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Ponta Delgada?
The nearest to Ponta Delgada are Lagoa (Açores) (7.7 km), Ribeira Grande (16 km), Vila Franca do Campo (21 km), Povoação (37 km), Nordeste (47 km).
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