Popayán Population 2026
Popayán has a population of 318,059, making it the #21 biggest city in 🇨🇴 Colombia, located in Cauca Department. Roughly 0.6% of Colombia's population lives here. It is about 24× smaller than Bogotá, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
318,059
Rank in Colombia
#21
Coordinates
2.44°N, 76.61°W
~1,760 m elevation · America/Bogota
Distance to capital (Bogotá)
370 km
230 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Cauca Department
| City | Population | Rank in Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Santander de Quilichao | 99,354 | #56 |
| Puerto Tejada | 46,215 | #110 |
| Piendamo | 44,000 | #115 |
| Miranda | 43,333 | #117 |
| Patía | 37,781 | #133 |
| Belalcázar | 36,977 | #137 |
| Corinto | 33,846 | #148 |
| Morales | 29,737 | #169 |
Cities near Popayán
- Piendamo44,000 people · ~24 km away
- Villa Rica18,761 people · ~28 km away
- Morales29,737 people · ~35 km away
- Suárez19,690 people · ~58 km away
- Patía37,781 people · ~64 km away
- Santander de Quilichao99,354 people · ~65 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Popayán?
Popayán has a population of 318,059 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #21 biggest city in Colombia.
What region is Popayán in?
Popayán is located in Cauca Department, Colombia.
Is Popayán the capital of Colombia?
No, the capital of Colombia is Bogotá, about 370 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.
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