Most Dense in Ethiopia

Top 100 cities ranked by most dense

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Ethiopia

Most Dense — Ethiopia

1 Mek'ele 53 48,506/mi²

2 Yirga Ch’efē 56 47,765/mi²

3 Gununo 56 46,950/mi²

4 Dessie 46 46,460/mi²

5 Sebeta 51 35,769/mi²

6 Dīla 56 28,820/mi²

7 Nazrēt 51 28,274/mi²

8 Kele 51 27,177/mi²

9 Gīmbīcho 55 26,023/mi²

10 Debre Birhan 46 25,863/mi²

11 Hāgere Hiywet 51 25,355/mi²

12 Awasa SI 21,864/mi²

13 Ziway 51 21,703/mi²

14 Āsela 51 21,265/mi²

15 Welk’īt’ē 55 19,472/mi²

16 K’olīto 55 19,000/mi²

17 Addis Ababa 44 18,971/mi²

18 Ādīgrat 53 16,800/mi²

19 Āgaro 51 16,709/mi²

20 Shinshicho 55 16,552/mi²

21 Arba Minch 56 15,777/mi²

22 Waliso 51 15,752/mi²

23 Sendafa 51 15,741/mi²

24 Shambu 51 15,707/mi²

25 Āreka 56 14,721/mi²

26 Ch’ench’a 56 14,628/mi²

27 Butajīra 55 14,414/mi²

28 Badessa 56 14,289/mi²

29 Aksum 53 14,168/mi²

30 Nek’emtē 51 13,696/mi²

31 Āsbe Teferī 51 13,496/mi²

32 Shonē 55 13,302/mi²

33 Tebela 56 13,286/mi²

34 Jimma 51 12,860/mi²

35 Tēpī SW 12,609/mi²

36 Duramē 55 12,576/mi²

37 Tarch’a Sodo SW 12,398/mi²

38 Bedelē 51 12,310/mi²

39 Bodītī 56 12,292/mi²

40 Mer’āwī 46 12,161/mi²

41 Hosa’ina 55 12,033/mi²

42 Mīzan Teferī SW 11,720/mi²

43 Gasuba 56 11,483/mi²

44 Wacha SW 11,457/mi²

45 Shanto 56 11,293/mi²

46 Fichē 51 11,109/mi²

47 Bonga SW 10,586/mi²

48 Ghinnir 51 10,380/mi²

49 Dimtu 56 10,118/mi²

50 Bako 56 9,913/mi²

51 Metu 51 9,506/mi²

52 Felege Neway 56 9,457/mi²

53 Dembī Dolo 51 9,400/mi²

54 Bale Robe 51 9,181/mi²

55 Goba 51 8,548/mi²

56 Hadero 55 8,481/mi²

57 Gimbi 51 8,275/mi²

58 Genet 51 7,010/mi²

59 Bek’ojī 51 5,610/mi²

60 Jijiga 52 5,610/mi²

61 Komtikas SW 5,558/mi²

62 Īteya 51 4,741/mi²

63 Bahir Dar 46 4,247/mi²

64 Huruta 51 4,192/mi²

65 Bishoftu 51 3,837/mi²

66 Sagurē 51 3,796/mi²

67 Gobēsa 51 3,537/mi²

68 Bombe 56 3,420/mi²

69 Ara Ali 51 2,956/mi²

70 Mena 51 2,841/mi²

71 Gode 52 2,254/mi²

72 Asaita 45 2,033/mi²

73 Dubti 45 1,863/mi²

74 Ārabī 52 1,730/mi²

75 Kebri Dahar 52 1,524/mi²

76 Gonder 46 1,499/mi²

77 Warder 52 1,425/mi²

78 Sodo 56 646/mi²

79 Dire Dawa 48 586/mi²

80 Worabe 55 522/mi²

81 Harar 50 500/mi²

82 Debre Mark’os 46 449/mi²

83 Kombolcha 46 423/mi²

84 Wenago 56 417/mi²

85 Weldiya 46 334/mi²

86 Gambēla 49 310/mi²

87 Chinahsen 52 295/mi²

88 Burayu 51 275/mi²

89 Āsosa 47 222/mi²

90 ‘Alemaya 51 203/mi²

91 Debark’ 46 151/mi²

92 Batī 46 120/mi²

93 Lasoano 52 120/mi²

94 Qorof 52 117/mi²

95 Babīlē 51 117/mi²

96 Yamarugley 52 114/mi²

97 Āykel 46 109/mi²

98 Guder 51 108/mi²

99 Neefkuceliye 52 108/mi²

100 Fadhigaradle 52 107/mi²

The most densely populated cities in Ethiopia pack the most residents per square mile, creating vibrant urban environments with walkable neighborhoods and extensive public transit. Mek'ele leads with 48,506 people per square mile.

High population density is often associated with better access to public transportation, more walkable streets, and a wider variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options within close proximity. These cities tend to have lower car ownership rates and shorter commute distances.

Dense cities face unique challenges including higher housing costs, limited parking, and potential overcrowding in public spaces. However, they also tend to have lower per-capita carbon footprints due to shared infrastructure and reduced driving.

Did You Know?

1. Mek'ele has 48,506 people per square mile — that's roughly 76 people per acre.
2. Dense cities tend to have the most walkable neighborhoods and lowest car ownership rates in the country.
3. Urban density can reduce per-capita carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to suburban sprawl.

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