Dessie Population 2026
Dessie has a population of 270,400, making it the #10 biggest city in 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, located in Amhara. Roughly 0.2% of Ethiopia's population lives here. It is about 14× smaller than Addis Ababa, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
270,400
Rank in Ethiopia
#10
Coordinates
11.13°N, 39.63°E
~2,494 m elevation · Africa/Addis_Ababa
Distance to capital (Addis Ababa)
254 km
158 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Amhara
| City | Population | Rank in Ethiopia |
|---|---|---|
| Gonder | 466,000 | #3 |
| Bahir Dar | 350,000 | #8 |
| Debre Birhan | 146,900 | #21 |
| Debre Mark’os | 140,700 | #22 |
| Kombolcha | 132,100 | #24 |
| Debre Tabor | 125,300 | #25 |
| Weldiya | 104,000 | #27 |
| Mot’a | 59,000 | #63 |
Cities near Dessie
FAQ
What is the population of Dessie?
Dessie has a population of 270,400 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #10 biggest city in Ethiopia.
What region is Dessie in?
Dessie is located in Amhara, Ethiopia.
Is Dessie the capital of Ethiopia?
No, the capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa, about 254 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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