The total population of Tawi-Tawi, as of May 1, 2000, was 322,317 persons, an increase of 71,599 persons over the 1995 Census of Population results. This translates to an annual population growth rate of 5.53 percent, during the 1995 to 2000 period, higher than the 1.78 percent growth rate in the 1990 to 1995 period. A corresponding increase in the number of households was also recorded at 54,345 households, higher by 8,400 households over the 1995 figure. This resulted to an average household size of 5.93 persons, higher than the average household size recorded in 1995 (5.45 persons) and the 2000 national average of five persons.