Rivers State sits in the South South geopolitical zone, with its capital at Port Harcourt. The state has 23 local government areas and recorded a population of 5,198,716 at the 2006 census, projected to reach 7,476,800 by 2022. It stretches from the Atlantic coast in the south to inland farming and market towns in the north, spanning both riverine communities reached by boat and mainland towns on the road network around Port Harcourt. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Rivers State
The table below lists every local government area in Rivers State, alphabetically, with population figures from the 2006 census and 2022 projections. Coastal and riverine LGAs such as Bonny, Andoni, and Degema sit alongside inland LGAs such as Ikwerre and Etche, reflecting the mix of waterway and mainland communities that make up the state.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Abua – Odual | 282,410 | 406,200 |
| Ahoada East | 166,324 | 239,200 |
| Ahoada West | 249,232 | 358,400 |
| Akuku Toru | 161,103 | 231,700 |
| Andoni | 217,924 | 313,400 |
| Asari-Toru | 219,787 | 316,100 |
| Bonny | 214,983 | 309,200 |
| Degema | 249,467 | 358,800 |
| Eleme | 190,194 | 273,500 |
| Emuoha | 201,057 | 289,200 |
| Etche | 249,939 | 359,500 |
| Gokana | 233,813 | 336,300 |
| Ikwerre | 188,930 | 271,700 |
| Khana | 292,924 | 421,300 |
| Obio/Akpor | 462,350 | 665,000 |
| Ogba – Egbema – Ndoni | 283,294 | 407,400 |
| Ogu – Bolo | 75,282 | 108,300 |
| Okrika | 222,285 | 319,700 |
| Omumma | 100,388 | 144,400 |
| Opobo – Nkoro | 152,833 | 219,800 |
| Oyigbo | 125,331 | 180,300 |
| Port-Harcourt | 538,558 | 774,600 |
| Tai | 120,308 | 173,000 |
Rivers State has 23 official local government areas, and all 23 have full town-and-village lists on this site. Port Harcourt LGA and Obio/Akpor together hold the largest share of the state’s population, reflecting the metro area that surrounds the capital, while smaller coastal LGAs such as Ogu/Bolo remain sparsely populated by comparison.
Geography
Rivers State lies in the Niger Delta, on Nigeria’s Atlantic coast. Creeks, tidal rivers, and mangrove swamps cover much of the southern and coastal LGAs, including Bonny, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Akuku Toru, and Degema, where communities sit on islands and riverbanks reachable mainly by boat. The northern and central LGAs, among them Ikwerre, Etche, and Emuoha, sit on firmer terrain and carry most of the state’s road network. Port Harcourt, the capital, sits on the Bonny River roughly 50 kilometres upstream from the Atlantic coast. The state borders Bayelsa, Delta, Abia, Imo, and Akwa Ibom. Rainfall is heavy for most of the year, and the terrain shifts from freshwater swamp forest inland to mangrove forest along the coast. Movement between many coastal towns depends on boats and ferries rather than roads, a pattern that shapes daily life across the delta LGAs.
Economy & Local Life
Oil and gas dominate the state economy, with refineries, flow stations, and export terminals concentrated around Port Harcourt, Bonny, and Okrika. Bonny Island hosts a major liquefied natural gas export facility, and Port Harcourt’s refining and petrochemical plants anchor much of the state’s industrial activity. Away from the oil sector, fishing and fish processing support most coastal and riverine communities, while boat building, canoe carving, and river transport remain everyday trades along the creeks. Farming communities in the inland LGAs grow cassava, yam, plantain, and vegetables, and palm oil processing is common across the state. Port Harcourt’s markets, port facilities, and road links to the rest of the South South and South East make it the commercial hub of the wider Niger Delta. Small businesses, transport, and services cluster around the capital and its surrounding LGAs, while weekly and daily markets remain the main trading points in the smaller towns.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Rivers State?
Rivers State has 23 local government areas. Every one of them has a full town-and-village list on this site.
What is the capital of Rivers State?
The capital of Rivers State is Port Harcourt. It is also the state’s largest LGA by population and its main commercial and industrial centre.
What is the population of Rivers State?
Rivers State recorded a population of 5,198,716 at the 2006 census. Projections put the 2022 figure at 7,476,800.
Which LGA in Rivers State has the largest population?
Port Harcourt LGA has the largest population, at 538,558 in the 2006 census and a 2022 projection of 774,600. Obio/Akpor, the LGA that surrounds much of Port Harcourt city, ranks second with 462,350 at the 2006 census.
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