Arica Population 2026
Arica has a population of 241,653, making it the #9 biggest city in 🇨🇱 Chile, located in Arica y Parinacota Region. Roughly 1.2% of Chile's population lives here. It is about 20× smaller than Santiago, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
241,653
Rank in Chile
#9
Coordinates
18.48°S, 70.30°W
~80 m elevation · America/Santiago
Distance to capital (Santiago)
1,666 km
1,035 miles, straight line
Cities near Arica
- Iquique199,587 people · ~194 km away
- Alto Hospicio142,086 people · ~200 km away
- Pozo Almonte16,878 people · ~205 km away
- Tocopilla25,400 people · ~402 km away
- Calama166,334 people · ~465 km away
- Antofagasta401,096 people · ~576 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Arica?
Arica has a population of 241,653 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #9 biggest city in Chile.
What region is Arica in?
Arica is located in Arica y Parinacota Region, Chile.
Is Arica the capital of Chile?
No, the capital of Chile is Santiago, about 1,666 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.