Population growth rate increased to 2.38 percent

The 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000) results showed that Cotabato City registered a total population of 163,849 persons, higher by 17,070 persons over the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN) results. This figure recorded a 2.38 percent annual population growth rate, lower by 0.35 percentage point than the annual population growth rate during the 1990 to 1995 period. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 31,227 households, higher by 4,134 households over the 1995 figure. This resulted to an average household size of 5.17 persons, slightly higher than the average household size (5.38 persons) recorded five years ago and the national average of five persons.

The population of the city will double after twenty-nine years

The population of Cotabato City will increase 3,900 persons annually and expected to double by year 2029 if the population growth rate (2.38 percent) will not change with in the said period.

Poblacion VII, the most populated barangay 

Of the thirty-seven barangays in the City of Cotabato, Poblacion VII was the largest in terms of population size, comprising about 7 percent of the total population of the city. This was followed by Rosary Heights 10 (6.53 percent), and Poblacion (5.92 percent). The least populous was Tamontaka V (0.84 percent).

More than half were Maguindanaon

More than 50 percent of the residents of Cotabato City classified themselves as Maguindanaon. About 14 percent classified themselves as Cebuano, 10 percent as Tagalog while over seven percent classified themselves as Iranon and 19 percent as other ethnic groups/not reported.

Half of the population below 26 years old 

Maguindanao had a median age of 26 years, slightly higher than the 1995 median age of 25 years. This meant that half of the population were below 26 years old.

Sex ratio recorded at 95.07 

Female population outnumbered their male counterparts. The sex ratio (number of males for every 100 females) of the city was 95.07. In 1995, the sex ratio was recorded at 95.3.

More females aged 15-19 years old

In 2000, the age-sex structure of Cotabato City deviated from the usual pyramid shape as shown in Figure 1 where the females in the age group 15-19 protrudes among the lower age groups. This age group also occupied the largest proportion of the total population.

More than a half of females belonged to the childbearing age group

Women in childbearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years) comprised 56.31 percent of the total female population, almost the same with the 1995 figure (56.06).

Over half of the population belonged to legal age for election

There were 94,247 persons or about 58 percent of the total population belonging to legal age for election. Among them, the proportion of females was higher (52 percent) than that of the males (48 percent).

Economically active persons increased by about 15 percentage points

More than 62 percent of the total population or 102,310 persons belonged to productive age (aged 15 to 64 years). This resulted to a 15 percentage points increase from the 1995 figure of 88,995. More than 35 percent were young dependents (aged 0 to 14 years) while more than two percent were old dependents (aged 65 years and above). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 60.15, lower than the 1995 ratio of 61.45. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 60 dependents, i.e., 56 young dependents and four old dependents.

Four out of every five population attended school

About 83 percent of the total household population, aged 5 years and over, had at least attended or completed elementary education: 31 percent, elementary; 25 percent, high school; and 26.5 percent with higher education.

Female population dominated among those who had attended school. It was noted that from elementary up to post baccalaureate, females had the highest proportion than among males.

Single and married population tied with 46 percent each

Both single and married population constituted an equal proportion to the total household population 10 years old and over. Both shared 46 percent each.

Single persons were dominated by females (52 percent). As expected, the proportion of widows was noticeably higher (76 percent) than the widowers (24 percent).

Most of the households preferred single houses

Majority of the housing units were single houses (86 percent). Over 76 percent of the total housing units needed no repair or if needed one with minor repair only, and about 28 percent were built from 1996 to 2000.

More than half of housing units had floor area of less than 10 to 19 square meters

About 53 percent of the housing units had floor area of less than 10 to 19 square meters: The proportion of housing units with less than 10 square meters floor area was 26.45 percent, 26.21 percent with 10-19 square meters; and seven percent, with at least 120 square meters.

A large proportion of houses were made of strong materials

Sixty seven percent of the housing units had roof made of galvanized iron, higher by 16 percentage points from the 1990 figure (51 percent). At least one of every five housing units still had a roof made of either of cogon, nipa and anahaw. As to construction materials of the outer walls, 48 percent used wood, higher by 6 percentage points from the 1990 figure (42 percent). Over 17 percent had outer walls of either half concrete, bricks, stone or half wood while 14 percent with bamboo, sawali, cogon, nipa, and anahaw.

Table 1. Population Distribution of Top Five Barangays: Cotabato City, 2000