Population and Growth Trends

From the first recorded population of 20,235 in 1960, Sipalay's population has increased dramatically by more than 5 percent annually up to 1975. Growth has gradually tapered off from 1980-1995 and in year 2000 a negative population growth was posted.

The historical growth of population and human settlements in Sipalay may be traced to significant development activities that created the pull factor for in-migration in various parts of the City. The first wave of settlements and movements of population from the post-war era to the 1960s came with the logging operations particularly in the barangay of Manlucahoc and in the mid-60s in barangay Nabulao. From 1960 to 1970, population grew by an annual average of about seven percent. The second wave of migration came about with the opening of the Maricalum Mining Company (MMC) in barangay San Jose that resulted in another rapid increase in population by about six percent annually from 1970-1975.

Population Trend (1960-2003)

Year	Population	Average Annual Growth Rate (%)
1960	20,325
1970	34,771	5.5
1975	45,773	5.7
1980	51,264	2.3
1990	61,982	1.9
1995	63,960	0.6
2000	62,063	-0.6
2003	63,522	0.8