North Padang Lawas Regency

Demographics

Population

The population of North Padang Lawas in the 2010 census results was 223,049 people with a density of 57 per square kilometre, which in 2020 increased to 260,720 people with annual population growth averaging around 2.18%. The official estimate as of mid-2024 was 280,595 (comprising 142,970 males and 137,620 females).

Ethnic

The population of North Padang Lawas district is quite ethnically diverse. Overall, the majority of the population comes from the Batak Angkola people, including various Angkola Batak clans, such as Harahap, Lubis, Siregar, Nasution, Hasibuan, Daulay, Dalimunte, Hutasuhut, Batubara. In addition, Batak Toba, Nias, and Javanese are also quite numerous in North Padang Lawas.

Religion

Followers of religion Islam amounted to 90.40%, then Protestantism 9.21%, Catholicism at 0.38% and Buddhism around 0.01%. The Batak people of Angkola, Mandailing, Minangkabau, and Javanese, generally embrace Islam. Meanwhile, the ethnic Batak Toba, Karo, Simalungun, and Nias people, mostly embrace Christianity. Meanwhile, there are 593 mosques, 34 Protestant churches, and 1 Catholic church.

Administrative districts

At the 2010 census, the regency was divided into nine districts (kecamatan). Subsequently, three additional districts (Padang Bolak Tenggara, Ujung Batu, and Halongonan Timur) have been created by the division of existing districts. The districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 census and the 2020 census, together with the official estimates as of mid-2024. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages in each district (totaling 386 rural desa and 2 urban kelurahan), and its postcode.

Notes: (a) including the kelurahan of Pasar Matanggor (Matanggor Market) with 1,413 inhabitants in mid 2023. (b) including the kelurahan of Pasar Gunung Tua (Gunung Tua Market), with 14,460 inhabitants in mid 2023. (c) The 2010 population of Padang Bolak Tenggara District is included in the figure for Padang Bolak District, from which it was split. (d) The 2010 population of Ujung Batu District is included in the figure for Simangambat District, from which it was split. (e) The 2010 population of Halongonan Timur District is included in the figure for Halongonan District, from which it was split.

Archaeology

The Padang Lawas archaeological site is partly located in the regency. The site covers approximately 1,500 km2, encompassing the kecamatan (districts) of Portibi and Padang Bolak in this regency, and Barumun and Barumun Tengah in the Padang Lawas Regency. Hindu-Buddhist remains are found on the site, including structures called biaro (from Sanskrit vihara, meaning "temple" or "monastery").

The village of Batu Gana in Padang Bolak Julu district is the location of a burial site consisting of a megalithic structure.

In the village of Padang Bujur in the same district, one can also find megalithic remains and what seems to be the base for a padmasana.

Other megalithic remains are found at Aek Korsik and Aek Tolong Huta, also in the Padang Bolak district.

References

• Simanjuntak, Truman, M. Hisyam, Bagyo Prasetyo, Titi Surti Nastiti (éds.), Archaeology: Indonesian perspective : R.P. Soejono's festschrift, LIPI, Jakarta, 2006,

References

1. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Kabupaten Padang Lawas Utara Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1220)
2. [https://sensus.bps.go.id/topik/tabular/sp2010/10/91698/0 Penduduk Menurut Wilayah, Daerah Perkotaan/Perdesaan, dan Jenis Kelamin, PADANG LAWAS UTARA, Tahun 2010]
3. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
4. [https://palutakab.bps.go.id/indicator/12/28/1/jumlah-penduduk-menurut-kecamatan.html Jumlah Penduduk menurut Kecamatan (Jiwa), 2000-2020] Badan Pusat Statistik Kabupaten Padang Lawas Utara.
5. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Batang Onang Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1220010)
6. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Padang Bolak Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1220040)