Aguadilla metropolitan area

The Aguadilla metropolitan area (Spanish: área metropolitana de Aguadilla), is the third largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in Puerto Rico. It includes several towns such as Aguadilla, Isabela, San Sebastián, Aguada, Moca, Añasco, and Rincón. These towns are located in the northwestern part of the main island, between the coastal plains, the Northern Karst Belt, and the Cordillera Central mountains.

This area is one of six metropolitan statistical areas in Puerto Rico and is part of the larger Mayagüez–Aguadilla combined statistical area. In 2023, the population of the Aguadilla metropolitan area was estimated to be around 250,435 people. This makes it an important and growing region on the island.

With an estimated population of 250,435 as of 2023, the Aguadilla metropolitan area (MSA) is the third most populous in Puerto Rico. It covers 7 of 78 municipalities in the northwestern region of the main island. Aguadilla is considered to be its principal city. The Aguadilla metropolitan area is the 195th most populated in the United States between the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley, AL MSA and the Prescott Valley–Prescott, AZ MSA.

Municipalities

Aguadilla metropolitan statistical area (MSA) (7 municipalities)
- Aguadilla Pop: 53,622
- Isabela Pop: 42,794
- San Sebastián Pop: 38,926
- Aguada Pop: 37,528
- Moca Pop: 37,325
- Añasco Pop: 24,815
- Rincón Pop: 15,425

Topography

General physiographic map of Puerto Rico, with mountainous terrain in green, karst in orange, and plains in yellow

Comprising Aguadilla, Isabela, San Sebastián, Aguada, Moca, and Añasco, and Rincón, the Aguadilla metropolitan area is situated between the western and northern coastal plains, the Añasco Valley, Culebrinas Valley, the Northern Karst Belt, and the Cordillera Central mountain subrange in the northwestern region of the main island of Puerto Rico.

All municipalities have an urbanized, densely populated downtown area and administrative center, categorized as a barrio and known as a pueblo, and concentrated urbanized residential areas with large populations, especially along the coastlines of Rincón, Aguadilla, and Isabela. All municipalities have rural areas, particularly those that lie on karstic and mountainous terrain like Moca and San Sebastián.

Mayagüez–Aguadilla combined area

The Mayagüez–Aguadilla combined statistical area (CSA) is split into two parts: the Mayagüez area and the Aguadilla area. Together, they cover 13 of the 78 municipalities in Puerto Rico.

In 2009, this combined area was home to about 6.5% of all people living in Puerto Rico. By the 2020 census, the population was 467,599, which was a small drop from the 2010 census. As of 2023, the area has an estimated population of 458,312, making it the 2nd most populous CSA in Puerto Rico and the 93rd most populous CSA in the United States.

Municipalities

Mayagüez–Aguadilla combined statistical area (CSA)
- Aguadilla metropolitan statistical area (MSA) (7 municipalities)
  - Aguadilla Pop: 53,622
  - Isabela Pop: 42,794
  - San Sebastián Pop: 38,926
  - Aguada Pop: 37,528
  - Moca Pop: 37,325
  - Añasco Pop: 24,815
  - Rincón Pop: 15,425
- Mayagüez metropolitan statistical area (MSA) (6 municipalities)
  - Mayagüez Pop: 69,798
  - Cabo Rojo Pop: 46,665
  - San Germán Pop: 30,996
  - Lajas Pop: 22,872
  - Sabana Grande Pop: 22,210
  - Hormigueros Pop: 15,336