Karaj Population 2026
Karaj has a population of 1,448,075, making it the #4 biggest city in 🇮🇷 Iran, located in Alborz Province. Roughly 1.6% of Iran's population lives here. It is about 4.9× smaller than Tehran, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
1,448,075
Rank in Iran
#4
Coordinates
35.83°N, 50.99°E
~1,341 m elevation · Asia/Tehran
Distance to capital (Tehran)
42 km
26 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Alborz Province
| City | Population | Rank in Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Naz̧arābād | 213,388 | #46 |
| Kamālshahr | 141,669 | #68 |
| Moḩammad Shahr | 119,418 | #85 |
| Mehestan | 85,200 | #116 |
| Hashtgerd | 55,640 | #168 |
| Eshtehārd | 29,993 | #275 |
| Garmdarreh | 22,726 | #324 |
| Shahrak-e Mohandesī-ye Zerā‘ī | 16,104 | #403 |
Cities near Karaj
- Shahrak-e Mohandesī-ye Zerā‘ī16,104 people · ~7 km away
- Fardīs181,174 people · ~9 km away
- Moḩammad Shahr119,418 people · ~10 km away
- Kamālshahr141,669 people · ~11 km away
- Garmdarreh22,726 people · ~12 km away
- Qods309,605 people · ~16 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Karaj?
Karaj has a population of 1,448,075 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #4 biggest city in Iran.
What region is Karaj in?
Karaj is located in Alborz Province, Iran.
Is Karaj the capital of Iran?
No, the capital of Iran is Tehran, about 42 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.