Santa Marta Population 2026
Santa Marta has a population of 499,192, making it the #10 biggest city in 🇨🇴 Colombia, located in Magdalena Department. Roughly 0.9% of Colombia's population lives here. It is about 15× smaller than Bogotá, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
499,192
Rank in Colombia
#10
Coordinates
11.24°N, 74.19°W
~14 m elevation · America/Bogota
Distance to capital (Bogotá)
737 km
458 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Magdalena Department
| City | Population | Rank in Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Ciénaga | 88,311 | #62 |
| Fundación | 59,175 | #79 |
| El Banco | 54,522 | #90 |
| Plato | 48,606 | #106 |
| Aracataca | 41,872 | #119 |
| Puebloviejo | 33,720 | #150 |
| Sitionuevo | 33,440 | #152 |
| Pivijay | 33,047 | #155 |
Cities near Santa Marta
- Ciénaga88,311 people · ~26 km away
- Puebloviejo33,720 people · ~29 km away
- El Retén19,345 people · ~70 km away
- Barranquilla1,206,319 people · ~71 km away
- Soledad342,556 people · ~72 km away
- Aracataca41,872 people · ~72 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Santa Marta?
Santa Marta has a population of 499,192 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #10 biggest city in Colombia.
What region is Santa Marta in?
Santa Marta is located in Magdalena Department, Colombia.
Is Santa Marta the capital of Colombia?
No, the capital of Colombia is Bogotá, about 737 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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