Population growth rate at 1.42 percent

The total population of Zamboanga del Norte, as of May 1, 2000, was 823,130 persons. This implied an increase of 52,433 persons over the 1995 census figure or an average annual growth rate of 1.42 percent. This was 1.04 percentage points lower than the average growth rate recorded in 1995 (2.46 percent). A corresponding increase on the number of households was also registered, from 147,246 households in 1995 to 161,512 in 2000. This resulted to an average household size of 5.14 persons, higher than the national average of five persons.

Dipolog City, the provincial capital, was the largest in terms of population

Among the 25 municipalities and two cities in Zamboanga del Norte, Dipolog City, the capital of the province, was the largest in terms of population size with 99,862 persons or 12.12 percent of the total population of the province. This was followed by Sindangan (9.73 percent), and Dapitan City (8.28 percent). All other municipalities had less than five percent each. La Libertad, the least populated municipality accounted for only 1.0 percent of the total population of the province.

Zamboanga del Norte was the second most populated in Region IX

Zamboanga del Norte was the second most populated among the three provinces in Western Mindanao (Region IX), comprising 26.63 percercent of the 3.1 million persons in the region. At the national level, the province contributed 1.08 percent to the total population of 76.5 million.

Zamboanga del Norte had a median age of 19 years

Zamboanga del Norte had a median age of 19 years, the same as that in 1995. This meant that about half of the total population of the province were below 19 years old.

Sex ratio was recorded at 103.9

The sex ratio in Zamboanga del Norte was almost 104 with 419,502 males and 403,628 females in the 2000 CPH. There were more males in all age groups below 65 years. However, among the population in the age bracket 65 years and over, except in the age group 70 to 74 years, females dominated their male counter parts.

Three dependents for every four economically active persons

About 56.7 percent belonged to the economically active population aged 15 to 64 years; 39.69 percent, young dependents (aged 0 to 14 years); and less than four percent, were old dependents (aged 64 years and over). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 76.4. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 70 young dependents and 6 old dependents.

Females dominated higher level of education

About 52 percent of population five years old and over had attended or completed elementary education; 21.5 percent, high school; and 1.8 percent, post secondary education. Less than three percent were academic degree holders while 6.5 percent were college undergraduates. A very insignificant number pursued post-baccalaureate studies. There were more males than females among those who had attended or finished elementary (53.0 percent). However, females dominated higher level of education; high school (51.8 percent), post secondary (50.7 percent), college (51.3 percent), academic degree holders (60.2 percent) and post baccalaureate (63.0 percent).

Majority were Bisayas/Binisayas

The three prominent ethnic groups in Zamboanga del Norte consisted about 90.6 percent of the total household population. They were Bisaya/Binisaya (51.6 percent), Cebuano (22.2 percent), and Subanen/Subaben (16.8 percent). The remaining 9.4 percent were Kolibugan/Kalibugan (2.3 percent), Boholano (1.2 percent), and the rest as other ethnic groups (less than 1.0 percent each).

About 46.67 percent were married

Married persons accounted for 46.67 percent of the total persons 10 years old and over, lower by 2.10 percentage points than the 1995 figure (48.77 percent). Single persons comprised 43.91 percent in 2000, from 45.20 percent in 1995. The widowed had 3.95 percent while 4.18 percent for those with other arrangements.

Housing occupancy rate was almost 100 percent

Out of 159,901 housing units in Zamboanga del Norte, almost all, 159,871 housing units (99.98 percent) were occupied by 161,512 households. This rate of occupancy was higher by 4.38 percentage points than that of 1990 figure (95.6 percent). It recorded a ratio of 1.01 households for every occupied housing unit or 5.14 persons per occupied housing unit.

Single houses were most preferred

A large proportion (97.6 percent) of the occupied housing units in Zamboanga del Norte in 2000 were single houses. Two-thirds (66.8 percent) of the occupied housing units did not need repair or with minor repair only while 18.1 percent needs major repair. Almost one-half (46.53 percent) of the occupied housing units were built from 1996 to 2000.

Roof made of galvanized iron/aluminum increased by two-folds

The proportion of occupied housing units with roof made of galvanized iron/aluminum rose by two-folds (15.7 percent in 1990 to 37.0 percent in 2000). On the other hand, roof made of bamboo/sawali/cogon/nipa declined from 80.9 percent in 1990 to 59.4 percent in 2000. As to construction material of the outer walls, the same trends were observed, galvanized iron/aluminum increased by 4.9 percentage points, from 2.3 percent in 1990 to 7.2 percent in 2000 while bamboo/sawali/cogon/nipa decreased by 5.2 percentage points from 1990 figure.

Table 1. Total Population of Top Ten Cities/ Municipalities and Sex: Zamboanga del Norte, 2000

Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 2. Total Population by Age Group, Sex and Sex Ratio: Zamboanga del Norte, 2000

Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 3. Household Population 5 Years Old and Over by Highest Educational Attainment and Sex: Zamboanga del Norte, 2000

Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 4. Household Population by Ethnicity and Sex: Zamboanga del Norte, 2000

Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 5. Total Population 10 Years old and Over by Age Group and Marital Status: Zamboanga del Norte, 2000

Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Table 6. Total Occupied Housing Units, Households, Household Population and Ratio of Household and Household Population to Occupied Housing Unit by Type of Building: Zamboanga del Norte, 2000

Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing