Ribeira Grande: population and statistics
Ribeira Grande has a population of 32,060 (2025) across 180.2 km², or 178 people per km². It ranks 90 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is growing: +2.0% between 2021 and 2025.
- 32,060 residents
- 180.2 km²
- 178 people/km²
- 54 m
Key points
Among the 19 municipalities in Região Autónoma dos Açores, Ribeira Grande ranks No. 3 by population.
Population aged 65 and over: 12.8% in Ribeira Grande, compared with an average of 18.9% in Região Autónoma dos Açores and 23.3% nationally.
Dwellings used as secondary residences: 5.0% in Ribeira Grande, compared with an average of 10.8% in Região Autónoma dos Açores and 15.8% nationally.
Largest business sector: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 20.6% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 28° generates about 1,062 kWh a year here.
Ribeira Grande in numbers
Where is Ribeira Grande?
Population of Ribeira Grande over time
Ribeira Grande had 31,429 residents in 2021 and 32,060 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 31,429 |
| 2022 | 31,435 |
| 2023 | 31,694 |
| 2024 | 31,822 |
| 2025 | 32,060 |
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Região Autónoma dos Açores for “Population under 15”.
- “Population aged 65 and over”: lower than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Dwellings used as secondary residences”: lower than in 99% of municipalities.
- “Usual residences without heating”: higher than in 96% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 25,231 football pitches.
- The nearest municipality is Lagoa (Açores), 9.4 km away.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Ponta Delgada (71,695 residents), 16 km away.
All indicators for Ribeira Grande
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 | Ribeira Grande | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 12.8% | 18.9% | 26.9% | ranked 307 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 17.3% | 13.6% | 11.7% | ranked 1 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 73.9 | – | 229.9 | ranked 307 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 178.0 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 80 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | 2.01% | – | 4.50% | ranked 219 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Ribeira Grande | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 10,704 | 100,478 | 3,573,416 | ranked 111 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 14.8% | 15.1% | 12.8% | ranked 111 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 25.1% | 22.6% | 16.8% | ranked 25 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 6.5% | 9.7% | 14.2% | ranked 298 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 11,741 | 113,159 | 5,970,677 | ranked 131 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 5.0% | 10.8% | 25.8% | ranked 304 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 12.6% | 12.2% | 13.1% | ranked 168 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 75.2% | 74.6% | 77.8% | ranked 189 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 18.2% | 17.2% | 13.6% | ranked 78 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 9.6% | 11.4% | 13.8% | ranked 192 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 1,425 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 106 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Ribeira Grande | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 83.2% | 76.7% | 18.6% | ranked 14 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 3.9% | 2.9% | 12.6% | ranked 260 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 3,254 kWh/inh. | 3,350 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 212 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Ribeira Grande | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 3,039 | 31,396 | 1,510,274 | ranked 107 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 95.9 | 129.0 | 128.1 | ranked 291 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 9,660 € | 12,184 € | 10,553 € | ranked 227 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 76.0 | 87.8 | 79.5 | ranked 186 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Ribeira Grande | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 9.2% | 6.9% | 7.0% | ranked 50 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,256 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 155 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Ribeira Grande | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 145,211 | 3,109,259 | 82,011,658 | ranked 69 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 454.6 | 1,270 | 275.0 | ranked 106 of 306 | |
| Share of overnight stays in local accommodation (alojamento local) (2025) | 19.5% | – | 18.4% | ranked 83 of 178 |
Education
| Indicator | Ribeira Grande | Região Autónoma dos Açores | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 11.8% | 16.0% | 13.2% | ranked 199 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Ribeira Grande
Business sectors: Ribeira Grande
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing20.6% ×2.6
- Administrative and support services16.5% ×1.0
- Wholesale and retail trade12.1% ×0.8
- Accommodation and food services9.4% ×1.1
- Construction7.0% ×1.0
- Professional, scientific and technical6.7% ×0.7
- Health and social work5.8% ×0.7
- Education5.5% ×1.3
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Ribeira Grande?
Ribeira Grande has 32,060 residents (2025), ranking 90 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Ribeira Grande?
Ribeira Grande covers 180.2 km², with a density of 178 people per km².
Is the population of Ribeira Grande growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Ribeira Grande went from 31,429 to 32,060, a change of +2.0%.
Where is Ribeira Grande?
Ribeira Grande is in Região Autónoma dos Açores. Latitude 37.817, longitude −25.517.
Population aged 65 and over: what is the figure for Ribeira Grande?
In Ribeira Grande, “Population aged 65 and over” stands at 12.8% (2025), ranking 307 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 26.9%.
Dwellings used as secondary residences: what is the figure for Ribeira Grande?
In Ribeira Grande, “Dwellings used as secondary residences” stands at 5.0% (2021), ranking 304 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 25.8%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Ribeira Grande?
In Ribeira Grande, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 28° produces about 1,062 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Ribeira Grande?
The nearest to Ribeira Grande are Lagoa (Açores) (9.4 km), Vila Franca do Campo (13 km), Ponta Delgada (16 km), Povoação (25 km), Nordeste (32 km).
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