Demographics
Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 198,181, of whom 98,975 are men and 99,206 are women; 20,979 or 10.59% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 14.4%. With an estimated area of 301.1 square kilometers, Yirgachefe has an estimated population density of 658.2 people per square kilometer, which is greater than the Zone average of 617.5.
In the 1994 Census this woreda had a population of 137,372, of whom 68,803 were men and 68,569 women; 11,579 or 8.43% of its population were urban dwellers. The three largest ethnic groups reported in Yirgachefe were the Gedeo (81.34%), the Oromo (10.89%), the Amhara (3.48%), the Gurage (2.2%), and the Silte (0.73%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.36% of the population. Gedeo was spoken as a first language by 81.6%, 10.2% spoke Oromiffa, and 6.78% spoke Amharic; the remaining 1.42% spoke all other primary languages reported. 39.96% of the population said they were Protestants, 27.49% observed traditional religions, 24.6% practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, 3.75% were Catholics, and 2.39% were Muslim.
Read more about this topic: Yirgachefe (woreda)