Invest in Sonsonate, El Salvador
At a glance
| Sonsonate | |
|---|---|
| Capital (cabecera) | Sonsonate |
| Population, 2024 | 470,455 |
| Rank by population | 4 of 14 |
| Urban population | 341,574 (72.6%) |
| Land area | 1,226 km² |
| People per km² | 384 |
| Municipalities | 4 |
| Districts | 16 |
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 Sonsonate
Municipalities and districts
Decree 762 merged the 262 old municipalities into 44 from 1 May 2024. The old municipalities became districts. Sonsonate has 4 municipalities:4
| Municipality | Population 2024 | Urban | Area, km² | People per km² | Average labour income, 2023 | Employment rate, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonsonate Este | 166,110 | 64.6% | 542.9 | 306 | $408.94 | 60.5% |
| Sonsonate Centro | 149,482 | 78.8% | 329.4 | 454 | $381.22 | 59.9% |
| Sonsonate Norte | 99,556 | 80.3% | 186.9 | 533 | $292.45 | 66.4% |
| Sonsonate Oeste | 55,307 | 66.2% | 166.6 | 332 | $320.37 | 63.3% |
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
- Sonsonate Este (6 districts): Izalco, Armenia, Caluco, San Julián, Cuisnahuat, Santa Isabel Ishuatán
- Sonsonate Centro (5 districts): Sonsonate, Sonzacate, Nahuilingo, San Antonio del Monte, Santo Domingo de Guzmán
- Sonsonate Norte (4 districts): Juayúa, Nahuizalco, Salcoatitán, Santa Catarina Masahuat
- Sonsonate Oeste (1 district): Acajutla
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
- Port of Acajutla: cargo grew 11.2% in 2025.
- Natural gas power: Energía del Pacífico has run a 380 MW gas plant at Acajutla since April 2022.
- Ruta de las Flores: Juayúa, Salcoatitán and Nahuizalco, on the route of coffee and mountain towns, are in Sonsonate.
Source: El Salvador.com: Acajutla grows 11.2% and modernises; El Diario de Hoy: how the Acajutla natural gas plant works, 24 January 2025; Ministry of Tourism: frequently asked questions5,6,7
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)
- El Salvador.com: Acajutla grows 11.2% and modernises (in Spanish)
- El Diario de Hoy: how the Acajutla natural gas plant works, 24 January 2025 (in Spanish)
- Ministry of Tourism: frequently asked questions (in Spanish)
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.