List of cities and towns in Croatia facts for kids
In Croatia, a place can become a grad (which means town or city) if it meets certain rules. The Croatian language does not have separate words for "town" and "city." So, a grad can be either.
A grad is usually a busy area with a lot of people. It often has a long history, important natural features, and is a center for business and social life. Sometimes, smaller areas nearby, like suburbs, are also part of a grad if they are closely connected to it.
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What Makes a Place a City in Croatia?
For an area to be called a grad in Croatia, it needs to meet one of these conditions:
- It is the main city of a county (županija).
- It has more than 10,000 people living there.
- It is given special permission because of its history, economy, or location.
Cities vs. Municipalities
In Croatia, a grad (city/town) is similar to an općina (municipality) in how it is governed. The main difference is that a grad usually covers an urban area, while an općina is often a group of villages. Both can include more than one settlement. This means a city's administrative area might include smaller villages or hamlets close to the main city.
Settlements (naselja) are the smallest areas for which population numbers are counted in Croatia. However, they are not separate administrative units. They are managed by the city or municipality they belong to.
How Cities are Organized Internally
Croatian cities are divided into "city districts" (gradski kotari or gradske četvrti) and/or "local committees" (mjesni odbori). These smaller parts have their own elected councils. Zagreb, the capital city, is special because it is both a city and a county. It is divided into both city districts and local committees.
How Many Cities Are There?
The number of cities in Croatia has changed over time:
- In December 1992, there were 70 cities and 419 municipalities. These were part of 20 counties, plus the city of Zagreb.
- By 2001, there were 122 cities (not including Zagreb) and 423 municipalities.
- In 2006, the number changed to 127 cities and 429 municipalities.
- In 2013, Popovača became a city, bringing the total to 128 cities and 428 municipalities.
Zagreb's Special Role
The Constitution gives Zagreb, as the capital of Croatia, a special status. This means Zagreb handles the public affairs of both a city and a county.
What Do Cities Do?
Cities in Croatia have many important jobs that help their citizens. These jobs are called "self-governing activities." They include things like:
- Planning how settlements and buildings are designed.
- Managing public services like waste collection and water.
- Taking care of children and providing social support.
- Offering basic healthcare.
- Supporting education, culture, sports, and physical activities.
- Protecting consumers and improving the natural environment.
- Organizing fire and civil defense.
- Managing local transportation.
What About "Big Cities"?
Some cities are called "big cities" in Croatian law. These are cities with more than 35,000 people. They are also important centers for business, money, culture, health, science, or transportation. Cities that are county seats are also considered "big cities." Besides the tasks listed above, "big cities" are also in charge of:
- Maintaining public roads.
- Issuing permits for building and location.
How is a City Governed?
A city in Croatia is governed by a City council (Gradsko vijeće) and a mayor (gradonačelnik).
The City Council
The City Council is a group of people who represent the citizens. They are elected for a four-year term. Citizens vote directly and secretly for the council members.
The Mayor
The mayor is the main leader of the city. The mayor is also elected directly by citizens for a four-year term. One or two deputy mayors are also elected with the mayor. If citizens are not happy with the mayor, they can vote to remove them through a special process called a referendum.
City administrative departments and services help the mayor manage the city's affairs. The mayor chooses the heads of these departments.
List of Croatian Cities
Below is a list of all 128 officially recognized cities and towns in Croatia. They are listed by their population according to the 2021 census.
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The table has two population columns:
- The Municipal column shows the total population within the entire administrative area of the city. This often includes smaller villages or hamlets outside the main city center.
- The Town/City proper column shows only the population of the main urban area of the city itself.
These numbers can be very different. For example, Velika Gorica has about 61,000 people in its whole administrative area, but only about 30,000 live in the main town.
¤ County seat. There are 21 counties of Croatia but only 20 county seats. This is because the capital city, Zagreb, acts as both a city and a county. The separate Zagreb County surrounds Zagreb but does not include it.
| City / town | County | Municipal | Town/City proper | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 pop. | Rank | 2021 pop. | Rank | ||
| Zagreb ¤ |  Zagreb |
769,944 |
|
665,774 |
|
| Split ¤ |  Split-Dalmatia |
161,312 |
|
150,410 |
|
| Rijeka ¤ |  Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
108,622 |
|
108,622 |
|
| Osijek ¤ |  Osijek-Baranja |
96,848 |
|
75,916 |
|
| Zadar ¤ |  Zadar County |
70,829 |
|
67,349 |
|
| Velika Gorica |  Zagreb County |
61,198 |
|
30,086 |
|
| Pula |  Istria County |
52,411 |
|
52,411 |
|
| Slavonski Brod ¤ |  Brod-Posavina |
50,039 |
|
45,083 |
|
| Karlovac ¤ |  Karlovac County |
49,594 |
|
41,979 |
|
| Varaždin ¤ |  Varaždin County |
43,999 |
|
36,384 |
|
| Šibenik ¤ |  Šibenik-Knin |
42,589 |
|
31,085 |
|
| Dubrovnik ¤ |  Dubrovnik-Neretva |
41,671 |
|
27,034 |
|
| Sisak ¤ |  Sisak-Moslavina |
40,185 |
|
27,886 |
|
| Kaštela | Split-Dalmatia |
37,951 |
|
—
|
|
| Samobor | Zagreb County |
37,481 |
|
16,914 |
|
| Bjelovar ¤ |  Bjelovar-Bilogora |
36,433 |
|
24,351 |
|
| Vinkovci |  Vukovar-Srijem |
31,057 |
|
28,247 |
|
| Koprivnica ¤ |  Koprivnica-Križevci |
28,666 |
|
22,304 |
|
| Čakovec ¤ |  Međimurje |
27,266 |
|
15,160 |
|
| Solin | Split-Dalmatia |
24,912 |
|
21,058 |
|
| Zaprešić | Zagreb County |
24,186 |
|
18,813 |
|
| Đakovo | Osijek-Baranja |
23,687 |
|
16,941 |
|
| Sinj | Split-Dalmatia |
23,574 |
|
10,828 |
|
| Vukovar ¤ | Vukovar-Srijem |
23,536 |
|
22,616 |
|
| Požega ¤ |  Požega-Slavonia |
22,364 |
|
16,894 |
|
| Petrinja | Sisak-Moslavina |
20,165 |
|
13,123 |
|
| Kutina | Sisak-Moslavina |
19,681 |
|
12,053 |
|
| Virovitica ¤ |  Virovitica-Podravina County |
19,366 |
|
13,531 |
|
| Križevci | Koprivnica-Križevci |
19,052 |
|
10,581 |
|
| Sveta Nedelja | Zagreb County |
18,307 |
|
1,369 |
|
| Dugo Selo | Zagreb County |
17,861 |
|
11,152 |
|
| Poreč | Istria County |
16,666 |
|
8,899 |
|
| Metković | Dubrovnik-Neretva |
15,349 |
|
14,062 |
|
| Sveti Ivan Zelina | Zagreb County |
14,703 |
|
2,598 |
|
| Jastrebarsko | Zagreb County |
14,657 |
|
5,331 |
|
| Našice | Osijek-Baranja |
14,336 |
|
7,339 |
|
| Omiš | Split-Dalmatia |
14,125 |
|
5,976 |
|
| Makarska | Split-Dalmatia |
13,344 |
|
12,800 |
|
| Vrbovec | Zagreb County |
13,052 |
|
4,581 |
|
| Rovinj | Istria County |
13,039 |
|
11,693 |
|
| Ivanić-Grad | Zagreb County |
13,028 |
|
8,477 |
|
| Ivanec | Varaždin County |
12,785 |
|
5,020 |
|
| Umag | Istria County |
12,767 |
|
6,781 |
|
| Trogir | Split-Dalmatia |
12,429 |
|
10,150 |
|
| Ogulin | Karlovac County |
12,251 |
|
7,389 |
|
| Novi Marof | Varaždin County |
11,872 |
|
1,816 |
|
| Knin | Šibenik-Knin |
11,755 |
|
8,317 |
|
| Nova Gradiška | Brod-Posavina |
11,719 |
|
9,850 |
|
| Krapina ¤ |  Krapina-Zagorje |
11,553 |
|
4,212 |
|
| Slatina | Virovitica-Podravina County |
11,524 |
|
8,717 |
|
| Gospić ¤ |  Lika-Senj |
11,464 |
|
6,339 |
|
| Novska | Sisak-Moslavina |
11,234 |
|
5,994 |
|
| Opatija | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
10,661 |
|
5,715 |
|
| Labin | Istria County |
10,488 |
|
5,837 |
|
| Popovača | Sisak-Moslavina |
10,306 |
|
3,641 |
|
| Kastav | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
10,265 |
|
10,265 |
|
| Duga Resa | Karlovac County |
10,207 |
|
5,389 |
|
| Daruvar | Bjelovar-Bilogora |
10,159 |
|
7,474 |
|
| Crikvenica | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
10,004 |
|
6,218 |
|
| Valpovo | Osijek-Baranja |
9,783 |
|
6,341 |
|
| Benkovac | Zadar County |
9,728 |
|
2,520 |
|
| Imotski | Split-Dalmatia |
9,321 |
|
4,060 |
|
| Županja | Vukovar-Srijem |
9,246 |
|
9,246 |
|
| Pleternica | Požega-Slavonia |
9,243 |
|
2,957 |
|
| Belišće | Osijek-Baranja |
8,884 |
|
5,358 |
|
| Vodice | Šibenik-Knin |
8,704 |
|
6,629 |
|
| Zabok | Krapina-Zagorje |
8,678 |
|
3,417 |
|
| Garešnica | Bjelovar-Bilogora |
8,672 |
|
3,326 |
|
| Ludbreg | Varaždin County |
8,519 |
|
3,469 |
|
| Otočac | Lika-Senj |
8,361 |
|
3,882 |
|
| Pazin ¤ | Istria County |
8,306 |
|
3,989 |
|
| Ploče | Dubrovnik-Neretva |
8,252 |
|
4,748 |
|
| Trilj | Split-Dalmatia |
8,228 |
|
1,901 |
|
| Donji Miholjac | Osijek-Baranja |
8,063 |
|
5,359 |
|
| Beli Manastir | Osijek-Baranja |
8,053 |
|
6,390 |
|
| Bakar | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
7,581 |
|
1,192 |
|
| Mali Lošinj | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
7,565 |
|
5,577 |
|
| Đurđevac | Koprivnica-Križevci |
7,386 |
|
5,844 |
|
| Glina | Sisak-Moslavina |
7,207 |
|
4,067 |
|
| Rab | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
7,168 |
|
365 |
|
| Pakrac | Požega-Slavonia |
7,095 |
|
4,147 |
|
| Prelog | Međimurje |
7,041 |
|
4,041 |
|
| Lepoglava | Varaždin County |
6,973 |
|
3,397 |
|
| Čazma | Bjelovar-Bilogora |
6,947 |
|
2,424 |
|
| Krk | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
6,846 |
|
3,945 |
|
| Drniš | Šibenik-Knin |
6,263 |
|
2,762 |
|
| Buzet | Istria County |
5,997 |
|
2,324 |
|
| Senj | Lika-Senj |
5,978 |
|
4,145 |
|
| Pregrada | Krapina-Zagorje |
5,953 |
|
1,882 |
|
| Mursko Središće | Međimurje |
5,928 |
|
3,347 |
|
| Vodnjan | Istria County |
5,850 |
|
3,149 |
|
| Oroslavje | Krapina-Zagorje |
5,840 |
|
3,255 |
|
| Ozalj | Karlovac County |
5,836 |
|
1,055 |
|
| Vrgorac | Split-Dalmatia |
5,711 |
|
2,131 |
|
| Zlatar | Krapina-Zagorje |
5,603 |
|
2,838 |
|
| Biograd na Moru | Zadar County |
5,598 |
|
5,598 |
|
| Varaždinske Toplice | Varaždin County |
5,551 |
|
1,596 |
|
| Korčula | Dubrovnik-Neretva |
5,419 |
|
2,661 |
|
| Grubišno Polje | Bjelovar-Bilogora |
5,389 |
|
2,615 |
|
| Donja Stubica | Krapina-Zagorje |
5,331 |
|
2,118 |
|
| Delnice | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
5,158 |
|
3,879 |
|
| Ilok | Vukovar-Srijem |
5,147 |
|
3,928 |
|
| Lipik | Požega-Slavonia |
5,126 |
|
1,951 |
|
| Otok | Vukovar-Srijem |
4,902 |
|
3,576 |
|
| Kutjevo | Požega-Slavonia |
4,886 |
|
1,947 |
|
| Orahovica | Virovitica-Podravina County |
4,552 |
|
3,395 |
|
| Buje | Istria County |
4,451 |
|
2,108 |
|
| Novi Vinodolski | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
4,345 |
|
3,349 |
|
| Supetar | Split-Dalmatia |
4,341 |
|
3,423 |
|
| Slunj | Karlovac County |
4,192 |
|
1,559 |
|
| Kraljevica | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
4,073 |
|
2,424 |
|
| Hvar | Split-Dalmatia |
3,998 |
|
3,527 |
|
| Novigrad | Istria County |
3,883 |
|
2,286 |
|
| Vrbovsko | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
3,872 |
|
1,260 |
|
| Novalja | Lika-Senj |
3,667 |
|
2,405 |
|
| Obrovac | Zadar County |
3,608 |
|
801 |
|
| Skradin | Šibenik-Knin |
3,349 |
|
504 |
|
| Čabar | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
3,239 |
|
332 |
|
| Pag | Zadar County |
3,187 |
|
2,343 |
|
| Opuzen | Dubrovnik-Neretva |
2,851 |
|
2,366 |
|
| Stari Grad | Split-Dalmatia |
2,790 |
|
1,924 |
|
| Cres | Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
2,738 |
|
2,205 |
|
| Nin | Zadar County |
2,714 |
|
1,099 |
|
| Klanjec | Krapina-Zagorje |
2,543 |
|
507 |
|
| Hrvatska Kostajnica | Sisak-Moslavina |
1,946 |
|
1,485 |
|
| Vis | Split-Dalmatia |
1,927 |
|
1,587 |
|
| Vrlika | Split-Dalmatia |
1,706 |
|
711 |
|
| Komiža | Split-Dalmatia |
1,395 |
|
1,266 |
|
Special Cases: Kaštela and Sesvete
- The city of Kaštela is a unique case. It is an administrative unit, but it's actually made up of seven separate settlements. None of these individual settlements are called "Kaštela." Its city council is in Kaštel Sućurac.
- The district of Sesvete in Zagreb is also interesting. Even though it's part of Zagreb, it's still considered a standalone settlement with a population of about 55,000. This makes it a large area, but it doesn't have the official administrative status of a city on its own.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Ciudades de Croacia para niños
- Administrative divisions of Croatia
- Counties of Croatia
- Municipalities of Croatia
- Lists of cities by country
- List of mayors in Croatia
