Ilocos Norte, formally known as the Province of Ilocos Norte (in Ilocano: Probinsia ti Ilocos Norte; Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Ilocos Norte), is a province situated in the Ilocos Region of the Philippines. Its capital city is Laoag, located in the northwest corner of Luzon Island. The province shares its boundaries with Cagayan and Apayao to the east, Abra to the southeast, and Ilocos Sur to the southwest. To the west, Ilocos Norte faces the West Philippine Sea, while to the north, it borders the Luzon Strait.
Demographics
Age Groups and Populations:
- The age group with the highest population in Ilocos Norte was individuals aged 5 to 9, totaling 54,897 individuals.
- The age group with the lowest population was individuals aged 75 to 79, comprising 9,130 individuals.
2. Age Group Aggregates:
- Those aged 14 and below, which includes infants, babies, children, and young adolescents/teenagers, made up approximately 27.48% of the total population, amounting to 162,956 individuals.
- The age group of 15 to 64, representing the economically active population and potential workforce, constituted a significant 64.64% of the population, totaling 383,345 individuals.
- The old dependent population, consisting of senior citizens aged 65 and over, accounted for 7.89% of the total population, equivalent to 46,780 individuals.
3. Age Dependency Ratios:
- The calculated Age Dependency Ratios provide insights into the population’s dependency on different age groups:
- For every 100 individuals in the working age population, there were 43 youth dependents (aged 14 and below) and 12 aged/senior citizens (aged 65 and over).
- In total, there were 55 dependents (combining young and old-age) for every 100 of the working population.
4. Median Age:
- The median age of Ilocos Norte in 2015 was 28 years. This statistic indicates that half of the population was younger than 28, while the other half was older than 28. It provides an essential measure of the age distribution within the province.
| Name | City/ Municipality | Population (2020) | Population (2015) | Annual Population Growth Rate (2015‑2020) | Area (km2) | Density (2020), per km2 | Brgy count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | municipality | 2,189 | 1,792 | 4.30% | 159.31 | 14 | 1 |
| Bacarra | municipality | 33,496 | 32,215 | 0.82% | 65.32 | 513 | 43 |
| Badoc | municipality | 32,530 | 31,616 | 0.60% | 76.68 | 424 | 31 |
| Bangui | municipality | 15,019 | 14,672 | 0.49% | 108.76 | 138 | 14 |
| Banna | municipality | 19,297 | 19,438 | -0.15% | 92.73 | 208 | 20 |
| Batac | city (CC) | 55,484 | 55,201 | 0.11% | 161.06 | 344 | 43 |
| Burgos | municipality | 10,759 | 9,777 | 2.04% | 128.90 | 83 | 11 |
| Carasi | municipality | 1,607 | 1,567 | 0.53% | 82.97 | 19 | 3 |
| Currimao | municipality | 12,215 | 12,184 | 0.05% | 34.08 | 358 | 23 |
| Dingras | municipality | 40,127 | 38,562 | 0.84% | 96.00 | 418 | 31 |
| Dumalneg | municipality | 3,087 | 2,947 | 0.98% | 92.69 | 33 | 4 |
| Laoag | city (CC), capital | 111,651 | 111,125 | 0.10% | 116.08 | 962 | 80 |
| Marcos | municipality | 18,010 | 17,777 | 0.27% | 72.77 | 247 | 13 |
| Nueva Era | municipality | 11,968 | 9,506 | 4.97% | 515.02 | 23 | 11 |
| Pagudpud | municipality | 25,098 | 23,770 | 1.15% | 194.90 | 129 | 16 |
| Paoay | municipality | 25,001 | 24,866 | 0.11% | 76.24 | 328 | 31 |
| Pasuquin | municipality | 29,678 | 28,980 | 0.50% | 161.41 | 184 | 33 |
| Piddig | municipality | 22,475 | 21,497 | 0.94% | 216.20 | 104 | 23 |
| Pinili | municipality | 17,626 | 17,300 | 0.39% | 89.48 | 197 | 25 |
| San Nicolas | municipality | 38,895 | 36,736 | 1.21% | 40.18 | 968 | 24 |
| Sarrat | municipality | 25,186 | 25,212 | -0.02% | 57.39 | 439 | 24 |
| Solsona | municipality | 24,851 | 24,121 | 0.63% | 166.23 | 149 | 22 |
| Vintar | municipality | 33,339 | 32,220 | 0.72% | 614.35 | 54 | 33 |
| Ilocos Norte Total | 609,588 | 593,081 | 0.58% | 3,418.75 | 178 | 559 | |
Economy
| Fiscal Year | Annual Regular Income | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 661,581,159.00 | – |
| 2010 | 992,110,992.78 | 49.96% |
| 2011 | 981,683,353.43 | -1.05% |
| 2012 | 1,028,847,883.24 | 4.80% |
| 2013 | 976,591,979.24 | -5.08% |
| 2014 | 893,949,125.26 | -8.46% |
| 2015 | 1,091,789,542.81 | 22.13% |
| 2016 | 1,641,615,383.15 | 50.36% |
| End notes:Annual Regular Income = Locally Sourced Revenue + Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) Current Year + Other Shares from National Tax CollectionLocally Sourced Revenue = Real Property Tax (General Fund) + Tax on Business + Other Taxes + Regulatory Fees + Service/User Charges + Receipts from Economic Enterprises | ||
Tourism
Ilocos Norte’s tourism industry is a symphony of historical intrigue and natural splendor. The province is renowned for its well-preserved Spanish-era architecture, including the iconic Paoay Church and the Malacañang of the North. Here, history comes alive through cobblestone streets and ancestral homes.
Nature enthusiasts can savor the province’s coastal beauty along the Patapat Viaduct, chase waterfalls in Pagudpud, or take in the stunning views at the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Culinary explorers are in for a treat with the province’s famed empanadas and Ilocano delicacies.
