Invest in Ahuachapán, El Salvador
At a glance
| Ahuachapán | |
|---|---|
| Capital (cabecera) | Ahuachapán |
| Population, 2024 | 348,880 |
| Rank by population | 6 of 14 |
| Urban population | 233,170 (66.8%) |
| Land area | 1,239 km² |
| People per km² | 282 |
| Municipalities | 3 |
| Districts | 12 |
Source: BCR and ONEC: VII Population Census 2024, population by department, municipality and district, urban and rural (Excel, in Spanish); UNDP: socio-economic map, guide to the 44 new municipalities of El Salvador, October 2024 (PDF, in Spanish)1,3
Land area is the sum of the municipal areas published by UNDP; density is an InvestSalvador.com calculation from that area and the census.
Map of Ahuachapán
Municipalities and districts
Decree 762 merged the 262 old municipalities into 44 from 1 May 2024. The old municipalities became districts. Ahuachapán has 3 municipalities:4
| Municipality | Population 2024 | Urban | Area, km² | People per km² | Average labour income, 2023 | Employment rate, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahuachapán Centro | 180,913 | 73.4% | 501.0 | 361 | $300.99 | 62.5% |
| Ahuachapán Sur | 102,677 | 46.7% | 591.4 | 174 | $246.95 | 60.2% |
| Ahuachapán Norte | 65,290 | 80.3% | 146.9 | 444 | $299.93 | 55.5% |
Source: BCR and ONEC: VII Population Census 2024, population by department, municipality and district, urban and rural (Excel, in Spanish); UNDP: socio-economic map, guide to the 44 new municipalities of El Salvador, October 2024 (PDF, in Spanish)1,3
- Ahuachapán Centro (4 districts): Ahuachapán, Apaneca, Concepción de Ataco, Tacuba
- Ahuachapán Sur (4 districts): Guaymango, Jujutla, San Francisco Menéndez, San Pedro Puxtla
- Ahuachapán Norte (4 districts): Atiquizaya, El Refugio, San Lorenzo, Turín
Source: Legislative Assembly: Decree 762, the Special Law for the Territorial Restructuring of El Salvador4
Population and urban share: 2024 census. Area, labour income (average per worker, a month) and employment rate: UNDP, from the 2023 household survey (EHPM).
Largest districts
Source: BCR and ONEC: VII Population Census 2024, population by department, municipality and district, urban and rural (Excel, in Spanish)1
Economy and investment
- Geothermal power: LaGeo, part of the state power company CEL, runs the Ahuachapán geothermal field. With the Berlín field in Usulután, the two fields have about 204 MWe installed.
- Ruta de las Flores: the route of coffee and mountain towns between Ahuachapán and Sonsonate includes Ahuachapán, Apaneca and Concepción de Ataco in this department. The Ministry of Tourism also lists the Ausoles de Ahuachapán, the steaming geothermal vents.
- Border with Guatemala: the 2026 budget policy includes the new Manuel José Arce border bridge at La Hachadura.
Source: ThinkGeoEnergy: World Bank announces USD 150 million investment for geothermal in El Salvador, 31 March 2025; Ministry of Tourism: frequently asked questions; El Salvador Travel: the Ruta de las Flores, nature, adventure, coffee and food; Ministry of Finance: Budget Policy 2026 (PDF, in Spanish)5,6,7,8
Sources
- BCR and ONEC: VII Population Census 2024, population by department, municipality and district, urban and rural (Excel, in Spanish)
- BCR: results of the VII Population Census and VI Housing Census, 31 October 2024 (in Spanish)
- UNDP: socio-economic map, guide to the 44 new municipalities of El Salvador, October 2024 (PDF, in Spanish)
- Legislative Assembly: Decree 762, the Special Law for the Territorial Restructuring of El Salvador (in Spanish)
- ThinkGeoEnergy: World Bank announces USD 150 million investment for geothermal in El Salvador, 31 March 2025
- Ministry of Tourism: frequently asked questions (in Spanish)
- El Salvador Travel: the Ruta de las Flores, nature, adventure, coffee and food (in Spanish)
- Ministry of Finance: Budget Policy 2026 (PDF, in Spanish)
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.