Demographics of Madeira
The island was settled by Portuguese people, especially farmers from the Minho region, meaning that Madeirans (Portuguese: Madeirenses), as they are called, are ethnically Portuguese, though they have developed a distinct regional identity and cultural traits.
The region of Madeira and Porto Santo has a total population of just under 256,060, the majority of whom live on Madeira Island (251,060) where the population density is 337/km2; leaving around 5,000 on Porto Santo island where the population density is 112/km2.
About 247,000 residents, or 96% of the population, are Catholic. Funchal is the location of the Catholic cathedral.
| Municipalities | Population (2017 Estimate) |
Area (km2) | Main city/town | Freguesias |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funchal | 104,442 | 76.1 | Funchal | 10 |
| Santa Cruz | 44,417 | 81.5 | Santa Cruz | 5 |
| Câmara de Lobos | 33,847 | 52.1 | Câmara de Lobos | 5 |
| Machico | 20,272 | 68.3 | Machico | 5 |
| Ribeira Brava | 12,428 | 65.4 | Ribeira Brava | 4 |
| Calheta | 10,901 | 112 | Calheta | 8 |
| Ponta do Sol | 8,559 | 46.2 | Ponta do Sol | 3 |
| Santana | 6,808 | 95.6 | Santana | 6 |
| Porto Santo | 5,173 | 42.6 | Vila Baleira | 1 |
| São Vicente | 5,151 | 78.8 | São Vicente | 3 |
| Porto Moniz | 2,371 | 82.9 | Porto Moniz | 4 |
| Total | 244,286 | 801 | Total | 54 |