Nosara Census 2024
Nosara Population: How Many People Live in the District
According to the 2024 community census, the district of Nosara has 8,716 permanent residents, a figure with 95.1% coverage verified by INEC. The count was carried out house by house between November and December 2024, making it the most recent and complete snapshot of how many people actually live in Nosara. You can explore every indicator at censonosara.com.
How Many People Live in Nosara Today
The district of Nosara has 8,716 permanent residents, living in 3,228 occupied dwellings with permanent population, for an average of 2.7 people per household. The census also mapped 6,270 dwelling points in total, a figure that includes empty and tourist-use homes, a hallmark of a coastal destination like Nosara.
Nosara is a district of the canton of Nicoya, in the province of Guanacaste, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Its mix of beaches, surf community and lifestyle has made the district one of the fastest-growing in the country in population terms.
The figure of 8,716 people comes from a direct, verified count rather than a statistical projection. The 95.1% coverage confirmed by INEC supports its reliability for planning services, infrastructure and community decisions.
The Growth of Nosara's Population
The historical series shows a deep shift: in 1970 Nosara had 2,679 inhabitants; in 2000, 2,875; in 2011, 4,912; and in 2024, 8,716. Since 2000 the district has grown at close to 5% per year, well above the national average.
Between 2000 and 2024 the district added 5,841 people. Of that total, 3,595 are explained by migration and 2,246 by births. In other words, most of the recent growth comes from people who moved to Nosara from elsewhere.
This growth also has an international dimension. In 2024, 1 in 4 births in the district was to a Nicaraguan mother, reflecting the diversity of origins that make up Nosara's population today.
A Community Census, House by House
The Nosara 2024 Census was the first community-based district census in Costa Rica. It was carried out by the Alianza para el Desarrollo Comunitario (ADC) and the ConoSer Association, with technical advice from INEC, covering the territory house by house between November and December 2024.
This approach made it possible not only to count people, but to understand how the district lives: occupied homes, empty or tourist dwellings, origins and growth dynamics. All open data is available in the census dataset.
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Nosara?
The district of Nosara has 8,716 permanent residents according to the 2024 community census, with 95.1% coverage verified by INEC.
How many dwellings are there in Nosara?
There are 3,228 occupied dwellings with permanent population and a total of 6,270 mapped dwelling points, which include empty and tourist-use homes, with an average of 2.7 people per household.
How has Nosara's population grown?
Nosara went from 2,679 inhabitants in 1970 to 2,875 in 2000, 4,912 in 2011 and 8,716 in 2024, a growth rate of close to 5% per year since 2000.
Where is Nosara?
Nosara is a district of the canton of Nicoya, province of Guanacaste, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and one of the fastest-growing districts in the country.