São José do Rio Preto

São José do Rio Preto
Municipality of São José do Rio Preto
From top, and left to right: Downtown area; Paulo Moura Theater; Public Library; Diocese of São José do Rio Preto; Parque da Represa.
Location in São Paulo
Coordinates: 20°48′29″S 49°22′52″W / 20.80806°S 49.38111°W / -20.80806; -49.38111
Country Brazil
RegionSoutheast
State São Paulo
MesoregionSão José do Rio Preto
FoundedMarch 19, 1852
Government
  MayorFábio Candido (PL)
Area
431.30 km2 (166.53 sq mi)
  Urban
12,479 km2 (4,818 sq mi)
Elevation
489 m (1,604 ft)
Population
 (2022)
480,439
  Density1,112.27/km2 (2,880.8/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-3 (UTC-3)
Postal Code
15000-000
Area code+55 17
HDI0.797 – high
Websiteriopreto.sp.gov.br

São José do Rio Preto (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w ʒuˈzɛ du ʁiw ˈpɾetu]) is a municipality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It is located in the northwestern region of the state, approximately 440 km (270 mi) from the city of São Paulo and 700 km (430 mi) from Brasília. With a population of 469,173 inhabitants as of the 2021 census, it is the 11th largest city in São Paulo and the 36th largest in Brazil.

The city was founded in 1852 and has a rich history closely tied to commercial activities, service provision, and agriculture.

São José do Rio Preto is the principal city of the Mesoregion of São José do Rio Preto, which has a population of 1,569,220. In 2020, the Microregion of São José do Rio Preto had a population of 763,534.

The city celebrates its anniversary on the same day as Saint Joseph's Day.