The municipalities of Puerto Rico (Spanish: municipios de Puerto Rico) are the second-level administrative divisions in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. There are 78 such administrative divisions covering all 78 incorporated towns and cities. Each municipality is led by a mayor and divided into barrios, third-level administrative divisions, though the latter are not vested with any political authority. Every municipality is governed as stated by the Autonomous Municipalities Act of 1991, which establishes that every municipality must have an elected strong mayor with a municipal legislature as the form of government. Each legislature must be unicameral, with the number of members related to adequate representation of the total population of the municipality. In contrast to other jurisdictions, both the mayors and the municipal legislators are elected on the same date and for the same term of four years in office.
From a political and ekistic perspective, several differences and similarities exist between municipalities of differing population sizes. For instance, municipalities with 50,000 inhabitants or more are considered incorporated cities, while those with fewer than 50,000 are considered incorporated towns. Size affects the autonomy exercised by the jurisdiction: cities provide and manage their own services, while towns typically depend on nearby cities for certain services. Demographically, municipalities in Puerto Rico are equivalent to counties in the United States, and Puerto Rican municipalities are registered as county subdivisions in the United States census. Statistically, the municipality with the largest number of inhabitants is San Juan, with 342,259, while Culebra is the smallest, with around 1,792. Arecibo is the largest in terms of geography, with around 125 mi2, and Cataño the smallest, with around 4.8 mi2.
All municipalities have a barrio called pueblo proper, officially called barrio-pueblo (literally "district-town"), which typically is the site of the historic Spanish colonial settlement, administrative center and urban core of the municipality. Municipalities with large populations, however, may have an urban core that consist of several barrios.
Overview
See also: Puerto Rico statistical areas
Because Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony until 1898, its system of local government bears more resemblance to that of the Hispanophone nations of the Americas than to local government in the United States and some other Anglophone countries. Thus, there are no first-order administrative divisions akin to counties, as defined by the United States Government; instead, Puerto Rico has 78 municipalities or "municipios" as the secondary unit of administration. For U.S. Census purposes, the municipalities are considered "county-equivalents." The municipalities are grouped into eight electoral districts, but these do not possess administrative functions. In 1991, the Autonomous Municipalities Act was passed, which slightly modified the rights and responsibilities of Puerto Rican municipalities with the aim of decentralizing control and improving government services.
Every municipality is composed of several barrios, except for Florida which has only one barrio. The municipality of Ponce has the largest number of barrios, 31.
Every municipality (except San Juan) also has an urban area made up of one or more barrios. When the urban area is made up of only one barrio, it is called "Barrio Pueblo". Some urban areas are made up of multiple barrios: Ponce's urban area, for example, is made up of 12 barrios. All of San Juan's barrios are urban barrios, and the municipality of San Juan is composed of urban barrios only - thus, the entire municipality of San Juan consists of one large urban zone only.
Every municipality's urban zone is named by the same name as the municipality. For example, the municipality of Caguas has an urban zone called Caguas - just like the municipality. Some municipalities' urban zones are termed "pueblo" (town) while others are termed "ciudad" (city). The difference resides in the population of the municipality: if the municipality has an urban zone below 50,000 inhabitants, then its urban zone is called a pueblo. If a municipality has a population above 50,000 inhabitants in its urban zone, then its urban zone is called a ciudad.
Demographics
The following is an alphabetical list of the municipalities in Puerto Rico, and their corresponding foundation year, population, and geographic area.
Municipality |
FIPS code |
Founded |
Population (2010) |
% of Population |
Area |
---|
Adjuntas Adjuntas |
001 001 |
1815 1815 |
019,483 19,483 |
0.52% |
066.69 66.69 sq mi (172.73 sq km) |
Aguada Aguada |
003 003 |
1508 1508 |
041,959 41,959 |
1.12% |
030.85 30.85 sq mi (79.90 sq km) |
Aguadilla Aguadilla |
005 005 |
1780 1780 |
060,949 60,949 |
1.62% |
036.53 36.53 sq mi (94.61 sq km) |
Aguas Buenas Aguas Buenas |
007 007 |
1838 1838 |
028,659 28,659 |
0.76% |
030.09 30.08 sq mi (77.92 sq km) |
Aibonito Aibonito |
009 009 |
1824 1824 |
025,900 25,900 |
0.69% |
031.31 31.31 sq mi (81.10 sq km) |
Añasco Añasco |
011 011 |
1733 1733 |
029,261 29,261 |
0.78% |
039.29 39.29 sq mi (101.75 sq km) |
Arecibo Arecibo |
013 013 |
1616 1616 |
096,440 96,440 |
2.57% |
125.95 125.95 sq mi (326.20 sq km) |
Arroyo Arroyo |
015 015 |
1855 1855 |
019,575 19,575 |
0.52% |
015.01 15.01 sq mi (38.87 sq km) |
Barceloneta Barceloneta |
017 017 |
1881 1881 |
024,816 24,816 |
0.66% |
018.69 18.69 sq mi (48.41 sq km) |
Barranquitas Barranquitas |
019 019 |
1803 1803 |
030,318 30,318 |
0.81% |
034.25 34.25 sq mi (88.71 sq km) |
Bayamón Bayamón |
021 021 |
1772 1772 |
208,116 208,116 |
5.54% |
044.32 44.32 sq mi (114.80 sq km) |
Cabo Rojo Cabo Rojo |
023 023 |
1771 1771 |
050,917 50,917 |
1.36% |
070.37 70.37 sq mi (182.27 sq km) |
Caguas Caguas |
025 025 |
1775 1775 |
142,893 142,893 |
3.81% |
058.60 58.60 sq mi (151.77 sq km) |
Camuy Camuy |
027 027 |
1807 1807 |
035,159 35,159 |
0.94% |
046.36 46.35 sq mi (120.06 sq km) |
Canóvanas Canóvanas |
029 029 |
1909 1909 |
047,648 47,648 |
1.27% |
032.87 32.87 sq mi (85.12 sq km) |
Carolina Carolina |
031 031 |
1816 1816 |
176,762 176,762 |
4.71% |
045.32 45.32 sq mi (117.38 sq km) |
Cataño Cataño |
033 033 |
1927 1927 |
028,140 28,140 |
0.75% |
004.85 4.84 sq mi (12.55 sq km) |
Cayey Cayey |
035 035 |
1773 1773 |
048,119 48,119 |
1.28% |
051.93 51.93 sq mi (134.51 sq km) |
Ceiba Ceiba |
037 037 |
1838 1838 |
013,631 13,631 |
0.36% |
029.04 29.04 sq mi (75.20 sq km) |
Ciales Ciales |
039 039 |
1820 1820 |
018,782 18,782 |
0.50% |
066.53 66.53 sq mi (172.31 sq km) |
Cidra Cidra |
041 041 |
1809 1809 |
043,480 43,480 |
1.16% |
036.02 36.02 sq mi (93.29 sq km) |
Coamo Coamo |
043 043 |
1579 1579 |
040,512 40,512 |
1.08% |
078.1 78.10 sq mi (202.27 sq km) |
Comerío Comerío |
045 045 |
1826 1826 |
020,778 20,778 |
0.55% |
028.40 28.40 sq mi (73.56 sq km) |
Corozal Corozal |
047 047 |
1795 1795 |
037,142 37,142 |
0.99% |
042.57 42.57 sq mi (110.26 sq km) |
Culebra Culebra |
049 049 |
1880 1880 |
001,818 1,818 |
0.05% |
011.62 11.62 sq mi (30.10 sq km) |
Dorado Dorado |
051 051 |
1842 1842 |
038,165 38,165 |
1.02% |
023.09 23.09 sq mi (59.80 sq km) |
Fajardo Fajardo |
053 053 |
1772 1772 |
036,993 36,993 |
0.99% |
029.86 29.86 sq mi (77.34 sq km) |
Florida Florida |
054 054 |
1971 1971 |
012,680 12,680 |
0.34% |
015.21 15.21 sq mi (39.39 sq km) |
Guánica Guánica |
055 055 |
1508 1508 |
019,427 19,427 |
0.52% |
037.05 37.05 sq mi (95.96 sq km) |
Guayama Guayama |
057 057 |
1736 1736 |
045,362 45,362 |
1.21% |
064.99 64.99 sq mi (168.32 sq km) |
Guayanilla Guayanilla |
059 059 |
1833 1833 |
021,581 21,581 |
0.57% |
042.27 42.27 sq mi (109.48 sq km) |
Guaynabo Guaynabo |
061 061 |
1769 1769 |
097,924 97,924 |
2.61% |
027.58 27.58 sq mi (71.43 sq km) |
Gurabo Gurabo |
063 063 |
1815 1815 |
045,369 45,369 |
1.21% |
027.89 27.89 sq mi (72.23 sq km) |
Hatillo Hatillo |
065 065 |
1823 1823 |
041,953 41,953 |
1.12% |
041.78 41.78 sq mi (108.21 sq km) |
Hormigueros Hormigueros |
067 067 |
1874 1874 |
017,250 17,250 |
0.46% |
011.34 11.34 sq mi (29.37 sq km) |
Humacao Humacao |
069 069 |
1722 1722 |
058,466 58,466 |
1.56% |
044.75 44.75 sq mi (115.90 sq km) |
Isabela Isabela |
071 071 |
1819 1819 |
045,631 45,631 |
1.22% |
055.30 55.30 sq mi (143.23 sq km) |
Jayuya Jayuya |
073 073 |
1911 1911 |
016,642 16,642 |
0.44% |
044.53 44.53 sq mi (115.33 sq km) |
Juana Díaz Juana Díaz |
075 075 |
1798 1798 |
079,897 79,897 |
2.13% |
060.28 60.28 sq mi (156.12 sq km) |
Juncos Juncos |
077 077 |
1797 1797 |
040,290 40,290 |
1.07% |
026.49 26.49 sq mi (68.61 sq km) |
Lajas Lajas |
079 079 |
1883 1883 |
025,753 25,753 |
0.69% |
059.95 59.95 sq mi (159.15 sq km) |
Lares Lares |
081 081 |
1827 1827 |
030,753 30,753 |
0.82% |
061.45 61.45 sq mi (159.15 sq km) |
Las Marías Las Marías |
083 083 |
1871 1871 |
009,881 9,881 |
0.26% |
046.36 46.36 sq mi (120.07 sq km) |
Las Piedras Las Piedras |
085 085 |
1773 1773 |
038,675 38,675 |
1.03% |
033.88 33.88 sq mi (87.75 sq km) |
Loíza Loíza |
087 087 |
1719 1719 |
030,060 30,060 |
0.80% |
019.37 19.37 sq mi (50.17 sq km) |
Luquillo Luquillo |
089 089 |
1797 1797 |
020,068 20,068 |
0.53% |
025.81 25.81 sq mi (66.85 sq km) |
Manatí Manatí |
091 091 |
1738 1738 |
044,113 44,113 |
1.17% |
046.13 46.13 sq mi (119.48 sq km) |
Maricao Maricao |
093 093 |
1874 1874 |
006,276 6,276 |
0.17% |
036.62 36.62 sq mi (94.85 sq km) |
Maunabo Maunabo |
095 095 |
1799 1799 |
012,225 12,225 |
0.33% |
021.07 21.07 sq mi (54.57 sq km) |
Mayagüez Mayagüez |
097 097 |
1760 1760 |
089,080 89,080 |
2.37% |
077.65 77.65 sq mi (201.11 sq km) |
Moca Moca |
099 099 |
1772 1772 |
040,109 40,109 |
1.07% |
050.34 50.34 sq mi (130.38 sq km) |
Morovis Morovis |
101 101 |
1818 1818 |
032,610 32,610 |
0.87% |
038.87 38.87 sq mi (100.67 sq km) |
Naguabo Naguabo |
103 103 |
1821 1821 |
026,720 26,720 |
0.71% |
051.66 51.66 sq mi (133.80 sq km) |
Naranjito Naranjito |
105 105 |
1824 1824 |
030,402 30,402 |
0.81% |
027.40 27.40 sq mi (70.97 sq km) |
Orocovis Orocovis |
107 107 |
1772 1772 |
023,423 23,423 |
0.62% |
063.62 63.62 sq mi (164.78 sq km) |
Patillas Patillas |
109 109 |
1811 1811 |
019,277 19,277 |
0.51% |
046.7 46.7 sq mi (120.95 sq km) |
Peñuelas Peñuelas |
111 111 |
1793 1793 |
024,282 24,282 |
0.65% |
044.62 44.62 sq mi (115.57 sq km) |
Ponce Ponce |
113 113 |
1692 1692 |
166,327 166,327 |
4.43% |
114.76 114.76 sq mi (297.23 sq km) |
Quebradillas Quebradillas |
115 115 |
1823 1823 |
025,919 25,919 |
0.69% |
022.68 22.68 sq mi (58.74 sq km) |
Rincón Rincón |
117 117 |
1771 1771 |
015,200 15,200 |
0.40% |
014.29 14.29 sq mi (37.01 sq km) |
Río Grande Río Grande |
119 119 |
1840 1840 |
054,304 54,304 |
1.45% |
060.62 60.62 sq mi (157.01 sq km) |
Sabana Grande Sabana Grande |
121 121 |
1813 1813 |
025,265 25,265 |
0.67% |
035.83 35.83 sq mi (92.80 sq km) |
Salinas Salinas |
123 123 |
1851 1851 |
031,078 31,078 |
0.83% |
069.37 69.37 sq mi (179.67 sq km) |
San Germán San Germán |
125 125 |
1573 1573 |
035,527 35,527 |
0.95% |
054.50 54.50 sq mi (141.15 sq km) |
San Juan San Juan |
127 127 |
1509 1509 |
395,326 395,326 |
10.53% |
047.85 47.85 sq mi (123.93 sq km) |
San Lorenzo San Lorenzo |
129 129 |
1811 1811 |
041,058 41,058 |
1.09% |
053.11 53.11 sq mi (137.55 sq km) |
San Sebastián San Sebastián |
131 131 |
1752 1752 |
042,430 42,430 |
1.13% |
070.42 70.42 sq mi (182.39 sq km) |
Santa Isabel Santa Isabel |
133 133 |
1842 1842 |
023,274 23,274 |
0.62% |
034.02 34.02 sq mi (88.119 sq km) |
Toa Alta Toa Alta |
135 135 |
1751 1751 |
074,066 74,066 |
1.97% |
027.02 27.02 sq mi (69.98 sq km) |
Toa Baja Toa Baja |
137 137 |
1745 1745 |
089,609 89,609 |
2.39% |
023.24 23.24 sq mi (60.19 sq km) |
Trujillo Alto Trujillo Alto |
139 139 |
1801 1801 |
074,842 74,842 |
1.99% |
020.76 20.76 sq mi (53.77 sq km) |
Utuado Utuado |
141 141 |
1739 1739 |
033,149 33,149 |
0.88% |
113.53 113.53 sq mi (294.04 sq km) |
Vega Alta Vega Alta |
143 143 |
1775 1775 |
039,951 39,951 |
1.06% |
027.73 27.73 sq mi (71.82 sq km) |
Vega Baja Vega Baja |
145 145 |
1776 1776 |
059,662 59,662 |
1.59% |
045.86 45.86 sq mi (118.78 sq km) |
Vieques Vieques |
147 147 |
1852 1852 |
009,301 9,301 |
0.25% |
050.77 50.77 sq mi (131.49 sq km) |
Villalba Villalba |
149 149 |
1917 1917 |
026,073 26,073 |
0.69% |
035.64 35.64 sq mi (92.31 sq km) |
Yabucoa Yabucoa |
151 151 |
1793 1793 |
037,941 37,941 |
1.01% |
055.21 55.21 sq mi (142.99 sq km) |
Yauco Yauco |
153 153 |
1756 1756 |
042,043 42,043 |
1.12% |
068.19 68.19 sq mi (176.61 sq km) |
Racial composition
The following is an alphabetical list of the municipalities and their population together with a breakdown of their racial composition.
Finances
36 of the 78 municipalities currently experience a budget deficit, putting 46% of the municipalities in financial stress. In total, the combined debt carried by the municipalities stands at about $590 million USD.
Surplus Deficit
Municipality |
Mayor's party |
Population |
Surplus or deficit |
Surplus or deficit per capita |
Public debt |
Public debt per capita |
---|
Adjuntas |
PNP |
19,483 |
|
|
|
|
Aguada |
PPD |
41,959 |
|
|
|
|
Aguadilla |
PNP |
60,949 |
|
|
|
|
Aguas Buenas |
PPD |
28,659 |
|
|
|
|
Aibonito |
PNP |
25,900 |
|
|
|
|
Añasco |
PPD |
29,261 |
|
|
|
|
Arecibo |
PNP |
96,440 |
|
|
|
|
Arroyo |
PPD |
19,575 |
|
|
|
|
Barceloneta |
PPD |
24,816 |
|
|
|
|
Barranquitas |
PNP |
30,318 |
|
|
|
|
Bayamón |
PNP |
208,116 |
|
|
|
|
Cabo Rojo |
PNP |
50,917 |
|
|
|
|
Caguas |
PPD |
142,893 |
|
|
|
|
Camuy |
PNP |
35,159 |
|
|
|
|
Canóvanas |
PNP |
47,648 |
|
|
|
|
Carolina |
PPD |
176,762 |
|
|
|
|
Cataño |
PPD |
28,140 |
|
|
|
|
Cayey |
PPD |
48,119 |
|
|
|
|
Ceiba |
PNP |
13,631 |
|
|
|
|
Ciales |
PPD |
18,782 |
|
|
|
|
Cidra |
PNP |
43,480 |
|
|
|
|
Coamo |
PPD |
40,512 |
|
|
|
|
Comerío |
PPD |
20,778 |
|
|
|
|
Corozal |
PPD |
37,142 |
|
|
|
|
Culebra |
PPD |
1,818 |
|
|
|
|
Dorado |
PPD |
38,165 |
|
|
|
|
Fajardo |
PNP |
36,993 |
|
|
|
|
Florida |
PNP |
12,680 |
|
|
|
|
Guánica |
PNP |
19,427 |
|
|
|
|
Guayama |
PPD |
45,362 |
|
|
|
|
Guayanilla |
PPD |
21,581 |
|
|
|
|
Guaynabo |
PNP |
97,924 |
|
|
|
|
Gurabo |
PNP |
45,369 |
|
|
|
|
Hatillo |
PPD |
41,953 |
|
|
|
|
Hormigueros |
PPD |
17,250 |
|
|
|
|
Humacao |
PPD |
58,466 |
|
|
|
|
Isabela |
PPD |
45,631 |
|
|
|
|
Jayuya |
PPD |
16,642 |
|
|
|
|
Juana Díaz |
PPD |
79,897 |
|
|
|
|
Juncos |
PPD |
40,290 |
|
|
|
|
Lajas |
PPD |
25,753 |
|
|
|
|
Lares |
PNP |
30,753 |
|
|
|
|
Las Marías |
PPD |
9,881 |
|
|
|
|
Las Piedras |
PNP |
38,675 |
|
|
|
|
Loíza |
PNP |
30,060 |
|
|
|
|
Luquillo |
PPD |
20,068 |
|
|
|
|
Manatí |
PNP |
44,113 |
|
|
|
|
Maricao |
PNP |
6,276 |
|
|
|
|
Maunabo |
PPD |
12,225 |
|
|
|
|
Mayagüez |
PPD |
89,080 |
|
|
|
|
Moca |
PNP |
40,109 |
|
|
|
|
Morovis |
PNP |
32,610 |
|
|
|
|
Naguabo |
PNP |
26,720 |
|
|
|
|
Naranjito |
PNP |
30,402 |
|
|
|
|
Orocovis |
PNP |
23,423 |
|
|
|
|
Patillas |
PPD |
19,277 |
|
|
|
|
Peñuelas |
PPD |
24,282 |
|
|
|
|
Ponce |
PNP |
166,327 |
|
|
|
|
Quebradillas |
PPD |
25,919 |
|
|
|
|
Rincón |
PPD |
15,200 |
|
|
|
|
Río Grande |
PPD |
54,304 |
|
|
|
|
Sabana Grande |
PPD |
25,265 |
|
|
|
|
Salinas |
PPD |
31,078 |
|
|
|
|
San Germán |
PPD |
35,527 |
|
|
|
|
San Juan |
PPD |
395,326 |
|
|
|
|
San Lorenzo |
PPD |
41,058 |
|
|
|
|
San Sebastián |
PNP |
42,430 |
|
|
|
|
Santa Isabel |
PNP |
23,274 |
|
|
|
|
Toa Alta |
PPD |
74,066 |
|
|
|
|
Toa Baja |
PNP |
89,609 |
|
|
|
|
Trujillo Alto |
PPD |
74,842 |
|
|
|
|
Utuado |
PPD |
33,149 |
|
|
|
|
Vega Alta |
PNP |
39,951 |
|
|
|
|
Vega Baja |
PPD |
59,662 |
|
|
|
|
Vieques |
PPD |
9,301 |
|
|
|
|
Villalba |
PPD |
26,073 |
|
|
|
|
Yabucoa |
PPD |
37,941 |
|
|
|
|
Yauco |
PNP |
42,043 |
|
|
|
|
Amalgamation
In October 2009, a Puerto Rican legislator proposed a bill that would reduce the current 78 municipalities of Puerto Rico down to 20. The bill called for a referendum to take place on June 13, 2010, which would let the people decide on the matter. However, the bill never made into law.
It was not the first time that an attempt to consolidate municipalities had failed. In 1902 the Puerto Rico legislature, under pressure from the US.-appointed governor of Puerto Rico, passed a law consolidating the then-76 municipalities of Puerto Rico into 46. The law was repealed three years later.
A legislator's proposal of Puerto Rico's future set of municipalities and their boundaries
The proposed twenty new municipalities (in bold) and the existing municipalities that would have made them up:
- Aguadilla
- Aguadilla
- Aguada
- Isabela
- Moca
- Rincón
- Arecibo
- Arecibo
- Camuy
- Hatillo
- Quebradillas
- Bayamón
- Caguas
- Caguas
- Aguas Buenas
- Gurabo
- Juncos
- San Lorenzo
- Carolina
- Carolina
- Canóvanas
- Loíza
- Río Grande
|
- Cayey
- Cayey
- Aibonito
- Barranquitas
- Cidra
- Comerío
- Fajardo
- Fajardo
- Ceiba
- Culebra
- Luquillo
- Vieques
- Guayama
- Guayama
- Arroyo
- Patillas
- Salinas
- Humacao
- Humacao
- Las Piedras
- Maunabo
- Naguabo
- Yabucoa
- Juana Díaz
- Juana Díaz
- Coamo
- Santa Isabel
- Villalba
|
- Manatí
- Manatí
- Barceloneta
- Ciales
- Florida
- Mayagüez
- Mayagüez
- Añasco
- Hormigueros
- Ponce
- Ponce
- Guayanilla
- Peñuelas
- San Germán
- San Germán
- Cabo Rojo
- Lajas
- San Sebastián
- San Sebastián
- Lares
- Las Marías
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- San Juan
- Toa Baja
- Toa Baja
- Dorado
- Naranjito
- Toa Alta
- Utuado
- Vega Baja
- Vega Baja
- Corozal
- Morovis
- Orocovis
- Vega Alta
- Yauco
- Yauco
- Guánica
- Maricao
- Sabana Grande
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Images for kids
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San Juan, the largest municipality and capital of Puerto Rico.
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Bayamón, the second largest municipality of Puerto Rico and largest suburb of San Juan.
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Carolina, the third largest municipality of Puerto Rico and second largest suburb of San Juan.
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Ponce, the fourth largest municipality of Puerto Rico and the largest municipality outside the San Juan metropolitan area.
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Caguas, the fifth largest municipality of Puerto Rico and the largest landlocked municipality.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Municipios de Puerto Rico para niños