Calabar Population 2026
Calabar has a population of 540,000, making it the #28 biggest city in 🇳🇬 Nigeria, located in Cross River State. Roughly 0.2% of Nigeria's population lives here. It is about 28× smaller than Lagos, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
540,000
Rank in Nigeria
#28
Coordinates
4.96°N, 8.33°E
~37 m elevation · Africa/Lagos
Distance to capital (Abuja)
465 km
289 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Cross River State
Cities near Calabar
- Esuk Oron112,033 people · ~19 km away
- Uyo436,606 people · ~45 km away
- Itu36,358 people · ~47 km away
- Eket25,569 people · ~57 km away
- Ikot Ekpene254,806 people · ~72 km away
- Ohafia-Ifigh73,355 people · ~93 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Calabar?
Calabar has a population of 540,000 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #28 biggest city in Nigeria.
What region is Calabar in?
Calabar is located in Cross River State, Nigeria.
Is Calabar the capital of Nigeria?
No, the capital of Nigeria is Abuja, about 465 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.
← All biggest cities in Nigeria · Nigeria population by year