Population growth rate down to 1.27 percent

The province of Misamis Occidental registered a total population of 486,723 persons in the year 2000 from 458,965 in 1995. This figure translated to an annual growth rate of 1.27 percent, a decrease of 0.21 percentage point from the 1990 to 1995 period. The number of households was recorded at 99,901, higher by 8,491 households from 1995. This gave an average household size of 4.86 persons, a slight decrease from the 1995 (5.01) and national average (five persons).

Ozamis City was the largest in terms of population size

Among the fourteen municipalities and three cities in Misamis Occidental, Ozamis City was the largest in terms of population size which comprised 22.69 percent of the total provincial population. This was followed by its capital Oroquieta City and Tangub City with 12.30 and 10.21 percent, respectively. The two municipalities with negative growth rate were Panaon (-3.18 percent) and Sapang Dalaga (-3.57 percent). The municipality of Concepcion was the fastest growing area in terms of population with a growth rate of 7.06 percent.

Misamis Occidental ranked third in Northern Mindanao

Among the four provinces (Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental) and one highly urbanized city (Cagayan de Oro City) in Northern Mindanao (Region X). Misamis Occidental ranked third in terms of population size contributing 17.7 percent to the 2.7 million population of the region. At the national level, Misamis Occidental shared 0.64 percent to the Philippine population of 76.5 million as recorded in the Census 2000.

Half of the population were below 22 years old

In 2000, Misamis Occidental had a median age of 22 years, higher than the 1995 figure of 21 years. The 0 to 14 age group made up 35.81 percent of the population while those aged 65 years and above comprised 5.06 percent. Thus, the economically active population aged 15 to 64 years, was 59.13 percent of the total population in Misamis Occidental. Male population slightly outnumbered their female counterparts with a sex ratio of 101.8 males for every 100 females. There were more males than females in the age bracket 0 to 44 years. On the other hand, there were more females than males in the age group 45 years and over.

About two dependents for every three economically active persons in Misamis Occidental

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 69. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 69 dependents (61 persons aged 0 to 14 years - young dependents; and 8 persons aged 65 years and over - old dependents). The 2000 ratio was lower than the 71.58 ratio reported in 1995.

Degree holders were predominantly females

Of the total household population five years old and over, 44.49 percent had attended or completed elementary education. Three out of ten persons (28.17 percent) had either attended or finished high school while 10.28 percent had attended college education. Almost four percent were academic degree holders. More than half of those who had attended or finished elementary education (53.14 percent) were males. On the other hand, those who had attended or finished high school, college, and post baccalaureate were predominantly females. About three out of five academic degree holders were females.

About 42 percent of the population classified themselves as Bisaya/Binisaya

About 41.78 percent of the household population in Misamis Occidental classified themselves as Bisaya/Binisaya. About two out of five persons considered themselves as Cebuano. Other ethnic groups included Boholano (9.63 percent) and Subanen/Subaben (4.38 percent).

Common - Law/Live-in arrangements up by 3.0 percent

Less than half (42.95 percent) of those who were 10 years old and over were single, while 45.81 percent were married. Those with common-law/live-in arrangement increased from 0.94 percent in 1995 to 3.94 percent in 2000. The remaining 7.3 percent were either widowed, divorced/separated or with unknown marital status.

Majority of the housing units were occupied

There were 98,492 housing units in Misamis Occidental, of which 98,455 were occupied. This registered an increase of 24.6 percentage points from 1990 and recorded a ratio of 1.01 household per occupied housing unit or a ratio of 4.94 persons per occupied housing unit. Almost all (94.9 percent) of the occupied housing units were single houses. About three out of five (63.99 percent) occupied housing units needed no repair/minor repair. About 30 percent were relatively new (built from 1996 to 2000).

More than half of the housing units had roof made of galvanized iron

As to the construction materials used for housing units, more than half (60.99 percent) of the occupied housing units had roof made of galvanized iron/aluminum as compared to only 33.47 percent in 1990. Moreover, occupied housing units with walls made of wood were registered at 45.52 percent.

Table 1. Total Population Distribution by City/Municipality and Sex : Misamis Occidental, 2000

Table 2. Total Population by Age Group, Sex and Sex Ratio: Misamis Occidental, 2000

Table 3. Household Population 5 Years Old and Over by Highest Educational Attainment and Sex: Misamis Occ., 2000

Table 4. Total Population 10 Years Old and Over by Age Group and Marital Status: Misamis Occidental, 2000

Table 5. Household Population by Ethnicity and Sex: Misamis Occidental, 2000

Table 6. Total Occupied Housing Units, Households, Household Population and Ratio of Households and
Household Population to Occupied Housing Unit by Type of Building: Misamis Occidental, 2000