Population to double in 39 years

Cebu City recorded a total population of 718,821 persons in the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000). This was up by 56,522 persons as compared to the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN) results. For the period 1995 to 2000, the annual population growth rate for Cebu City was 1.77 percent, still low compared to the growth rate during the '70s and '80s but higher than the 1.54 percent annual population growth rate during the 1990 to 1995 period. If the current annual population growth rate of the province continues, the population of Cebu City is expected to double in 39 years.

The number of households increased to 147,600 as compared to 134,986 households in 1995. The average household size recorded in Census 2000 was 4.84 persons, slightly lower than the 1995 figure of 4.85 persons and the national average of five persons.

Cebu City ranked fourth in Central Visayas

Cebu City ranked fourth in terms of population size among the four provinces (Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor) and two highly urbanized cities (Cebu City and Mandaue City) comprising Central Visayas region. This city contributed 12.61 percent to the 5.7 million population in the region. At the national level, the city shared 0.94 percent to the total population of 76.5 million as recorded in the Census 2000.

Barangay Guadalupe was the largest in terms of population size

Cebu City is composed of two districts, of which District II had the bigger population with 53.75 percent of the city population.

Barangay Guadalupe, which is part of District II was the biggest barangay in terms of population size, accounting for 6.26 percent of the total population of the city. The least populous barangay was Kalubihan, under District I, with only 611 persons (0.09 percent).

Cebu City had a median age of 23 years

Cebu City had a median age of 23 years. This meant that in 2000, half of the population were below 23 years old. In 1995, the median age was 22 years.

Sex ratio was recorded at 96

Females outnumbered their male counterparts with a sex ratio of 96 males for every 100 females, the same sex ratio recorded in 1995.

Dependency ratio was 57 

The proportion of the total population belonging to the age group 0 to 14 years was 32.80 percent. The age group 65 years and over accounted for 3.38 percent of the city population while 63.82 percent were aged 15 to 64 years (economically active population).

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 56.69. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 57 dependents (52 persons aged 0 to 14 years - young dependents; and five persons aged 65 years and over - old dependents).

Higher percentage of female voters

Out of the total population, there were 437,953 persons or 60.93 percent belonging to the voting population where the proportion of females (52.05 percent) was higher as compared to that of the males (47.95 percent).

More than half of females were in childbearing ages

Out of 367,181 females, 207,813 or 57 percent belonged to child bearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years). The highest percentage of which, was reported among women aged 15 to 19 years and 20 to 24 years with 20.33 percent and 20.12 percent, respectively.

Males dominated the post secondary level

About 33 percent of the household population aged five years old and over in Cebu City attended or completed elementary; 29.43 percent, high school; and 29.81 percent with higher education. On the other hand, the number of children aged 5 to 6 years old who had completed pre-school and were likely to become Grade I students in the next school year was 11,187 pupils (1.77 percent).

Males dominated the pre-school and post secondary levels with 50.77 and 52.93 percent, respectively.

Widowed were mostly women

About 46.36 percent of the total population 10 years old and over were single while 42.67 percent were married. The remaining 10.96 percent were either widowed, separated/divorced, with other marital arrangements or with unknown marital status.

There was an almost equal proportion of women (50.81 percent) and men (49.19 percent) among single persons. On the other hand, the proportion of widows was noticeably higher (77.81 percent) than widowers (22.19 percent).

Majority of the houses were made of strong materials for the roof and walls 

Majority of the housing units in Cebu City had galvanized iron/aluminum (88.22 percent) for the roof, while wood (35.20 percent) and half concrete/brick/stone and half wood (30.14 percent) for the outer walls.

Of the total occupied housing units, 31.49 percent had the combination of galvanized iron/aluminum for the roof and wood for the walls.

Majority of the housing units needed no repair/minor repair

Three out of four housing units in Cebu City needed no repair or if needed one with minor repair only; 18 percent, needed major repair; three percent, with unfinished constructions; and 0.9 percent, under construction.

About 16 percent of the housing units that needed no repair or minor repair were built from 1981 to 1990.

Table 1. Total Population Distribution of Top Ten Barangays: Cebu City, 2000