Medan Population 2026
Medan has a population of 2,486,283, making it the #5 biggest city in 🇮🇩 Indonesia, located in North Sumatra. Roughly 0.9% of Indonesia's population lives here. It is about 3.4× smaller than Jakarta, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
2,486,283
Rank in Indonesia
#5
Coordinates
3.58°N, 98.67°E
~26 m elevation · Asia/Jakarta
Distance to capital (Jakarta)
1,418 km
881 miles, straight line
Other big cities in North Sumatra
| City | Population | Rank in Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Percut | 311,063 | #46 |
| Binjai | 279,302 | #53 |
| Pematangsiantar | 279,198 | #54 |
| Padangsidempuan | 243,843 | #60 |
| Tanjungbalai | 190,935 | #87 |
| Sunggal | 157,914 | #108 |
| Perbaungan | 157,174 | #109 |
| Kisaran | 141,915 | #113 |
Cities near Medan
FAQ
What is the population of Medan?
Medan has a population of 2,486,283 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #5 biggest city in Indonesia.
What region is Medan in?
Medan is located in North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Is Medan the capital of Indonesia?
No, the capital of Indonesia is Jakarta, about 1,418 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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