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.

Surigao del Sur, one of the four provinces comprising the Caraga Region registered a total population of 501,808 persons. This figure translated to an annual growth rate of 1.35 percent, higher by 0.57 percentage point from that of the 1990 to 1995 period. The number of households also rose to 94,028, higher by 5,455 households from the 1995 figure. The average household size was 5.33, higher than the national average of five persons.

The Census 2000 results showed that Sulu registered a total population of 619,668 persons, higher by 83,467 persons over the 1995 Census of Population results. This figure recorded a 3.15 percent growth rate, from a growth rate of 2.50 percent in the 1990 to 1995 period. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 19,151 households, higher by 1,437 households over the 1995 figure. This resulted to an average household size of 6.31 persons, higher than the average household size recorded in 1995 (5.54 persons).