Caminha: population and statistics
Caminha has a population of 17,173 (2025) across 136.5 km², or 126 people per km². It ranks 135 of 308 municipalities by population. Its population is growing: +6.2% between 2021 and 2025.
- 17,173 residents
- 136.5 km²
- 126 people/km²
- 336 m
Key points
Among the 10 municipalities in Viana do Castelo, Caminha ranks No. 5 by population.
Dwellings used as secondary residences: 47.4% in Caminha, compared with an average of 29.0% in Viana do Castelo and 15.8% nationally.
Usual residences with central heating: 29.5% in Caminha, compared with an average of 31.4% in Viana do Castelo and 13.8% nationally.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 15.7% of the area's businesses.
A 1 kWp solar panel tilted at 35° generates about 1,411 kWh a year here.
Caminha in numbers
Where is Caminha?
Population of Caminha over time
Caminha had 16,172 residents in 2021 and 17,173 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,172 |
| 2022 | 16,671 |
| 2023 | 16,967 |
| 2024 | 17,113 |
| 2025 | 17,173 |
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Viana do Castelo for “Dwellings used as secondary residences”.
- “Dwellings used as secondary residences”: higher than in 95% of municipalities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 19,120 football pitches.
- The nearest municipality is Vila Nova de Cerveira, 13.9 km away.
- The nearest more populous municipality is Viana do Castelo (92,860 residents), 15 km away.
- A 4 kWp rooftop solar system here would generate about 5,644 kWh a year, roughly what an average household uses.
All indicators for Caminha
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 | Caminha | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population aged 65 and over (2025) | 30.0% | 28.0% | 26.9% | ranked 109 of 307 | |
| Population under 15 (2025) | 11.0% | 11.4% | 11.7% | ranked 188 of 307 | |
| Ageing index (older people per 100 young people) (2025) | 273.0 | – | 229.9 | ranked 108 of 307 | |
| Population density (inhabitants per km²) (2025) | 125.8 inh./km² | – | 69.6 inh./km² | ranked 111 of 307 | |
| Population change between 2021 and 2025 (2025) | 6.19% | – | 4.50% | ranked 106 of 307 |
Housing
| Indicator | Caminha | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (2021) | 9,554 | 123,631 | 3,573,416 | ranked 132 of 308 | |
| Buildings built before 1946 (2021) | 9.7% | 10.8% | 12.8% | ranked 229 of 307 | |
| Buildings built since 2001 (2021) | 20.7% | 19.4% | 16.8% | ranked 75 of 307 | |
| Buildings in need of medium or extensive repair (2021) | 9.6% | 13.1% | 14.2% | ranked 254 of 307 | |
| Conventional family dwellings (2021) | 14,361 | 155,259 | 5,970,677 | ranked 103 of 308 | |
| Dwellings used as secondary residences (2021) | 47.4% | 29.0% | 25.8% | ranked 16 of 307 | |
| Vacant dwellings (2021) | 8.3% | 10.8% | 13.1% | ranked 287 of 307 | |
| Owner-occupied usual residences (2021) | 74.1% | 77.8% | 77.8% | ranked 209 of 307 | |
| Rented usual residences (2021) | 17.4% | 15.2% | 13.6% | ranked 95 of 307 | |
| Usual residences in buildings with 3 or more dwellings (2021) | 27.7% | 21.4% | 13.8% | ranked 84 of 307 | |
| Median selling price of housing per m² (2025) | 1,606 €/m² | – | 1,108 €/m² | ranked 87 of 305 |
Energy
| Indicator | Caminha | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual residences without heating (2021) | 24.5% | 21.2% | 18.6% | ranked 114 of 307 | |
| Usual residences with central heating (2021) | 29.5% | 31.4% | 12.6% | ranked 45 of 307 | |
| Electricity consumption per inhabitant (2024) | 3,063 kWh/inh. | 5,017 kWh/inh. | 3,690 kWh/inh. | ranked 243 of 307 |
Economy
| Indicator | Caminha | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprises (2023) | 2,615 | 33,345 | 1,510,274 | ranked 119 of 308 | |
| Enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants (2023) | 154.1 | 138.0 | 128.1 | ranked 67 of 307 | |
| Declared gross income per inhabitant (2024) | 11,290 € | 10,704 € | 10,553 € | ranked 105 of 307 | |
| Purchasing power per capita (Portugal = 100) (2023) | 82.1 | 82.6 | 79.5 | ranked 136 of 307 |
Employment
| Indicator | Caminha | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (2021) | 6.8% | 6.0% | 7.0% | ranked 160 of 307 | |
| Average monthly earnings of employees (2024) | 1,145 € | – | 1,258 € | ranked 261 of 307 |
Tourism
| Indicator | Caminha | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays in tourist accommodation (2025) | 121,059 | 1,031,079 | 82,011,658 | ranked 80 of 307 | |
| Overnight stays per 100 inhabitants (2025) | 706.2 | 422.3 | 275.0 | ranked 62 of 306 | |
| Share of overnight stays in local accommodation (alojamento local) (2025) | 27.0% | – | 18.4% | ranked 57 of 178 |
Education
| Indicator | Caminha | Viana do Castelo | National | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population with completed higher education (2021) | 18.1% | 15.8% | 13.2% | ranked 61 of 307 |
Sunshine and temperatures: Caminha
Business sectors: Caminha
Share of each sector in total businesses; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than nationally.
- Wholesale and retail trade15.7% ×1.1
- Construction14.2% ×2.0
- Administrative and support services13.7% ×0.8
- Accommodation and food services12.4% ×1.5
- Professional, scientific and technical8.1% ×0.8
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing6.9% ×0.9
- Health and social work6.1% ×0.8
- Education5.2% ×1.2
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Caminha?
Caminha has 17,173 residents (2025), ranking 135 of 308 municipalities.
How big is Caminha?
Caminha covers 136.5 km², with a density of 126 people per km².
Is the population of Caminha growing?
Between 2021 and 2025, the population of Caminha went from 16,172 to 17,173, a change of +6.2%.
Where is Caminha?
Caminha is in Viana do Castelo. Latitude 41.833, longitude −8.833.
Dwellings used as secondary residences: what is the figure for Caminha?
In Caminha, “Dwellings used as secondary residences” stands at 47.4% (2021), ranking 16 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 25.8%.
Usual residences with central heating: what is the figure for Caminha?
In Caminha, “Usual residences with central heating” stands at 29.5% (2021), ranking 45 of 307 municipalities; the national median is 12.6%.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Caminha?
In Caminha, a 1 kWp south-facing system tilted at 35° produces about 1,411 kWh a year.
Which municipalities border Caminha?
The nearest to Caminha are Vila Nova de Cerveira (14 km), Viana do Castelo (15 km), Ponte de Lima (22 km), Paredes de Coura (24 km), Valença (27 km).
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