Padang Lawas is a regency in the North Sumatra province of Indonesia. It covers an area of 3,912.18 km2, and had a population of 226,807 at the 2010 Census[2] and 261,011 at the 2020 Census;[3] the official estimate as of mid-2023 was 275,648 - comprising 138,506 males and 137,142 females.[1] Its administrative seat is the town of Sibuhuan. Padang Lawas Regency was created on 17 July 2007 (along with a separate North Padang Lawas Regency) from southeastern parts of the South Tapanuli Regency. It is the only regency in this province that borders two other provinces, West Sumatra and Riau.
Administrative districts
At the 2010 Census, the regency was divided into nine districts (kecamatan). Subsequently, three additional districts were created by the division of existing districts (Barumun Selatan created from part of Barumun District; Aek Nabara Barumun, and Sihapas Barumun from parts of Barumun Tengah). In 2019 a further five districts were created, although the populations of these areas at the 2010 Census are still included in the districts from which they were cut. The districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census[2] and the 2020 Census,[3] together with the official estimates as of mid-2023.[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 303 rural desa and a single urban kelurahan), and its postcode.
Kode Wilayah
Name of District (kecamatan)
Area in km2
Pop'n Census 2010
Pop'n Census 2020
Pop'n Estimate mid 2023
Admin centre
No. of villages
Post code
12.21.01
Sosopan
435.18
9,186
10,389
10,877
Sosopan
12
22761
12.21.06
Ulu Barumun
207.43
14,024
16,700
17,749
Paringgonan
15
22767
12.21.07
Barumun
126.10
44,040
40,934
43,681
Pasar Sibuhuan
17 (a)
22763
12.21.13
Barumun Baru
13.73
(b)
12,266
13,095
Hasahatan Julu
13
22763
12.21.10
Barumun Selatan (South Barumun)
109.87
6,780
7,954
8,417
Batang Bulu Lama
11
22764
12.21.04
Lubuk Barumun
289.58
16,201
20,024
21,513
Pasar Latong
24
22766
12.21.08
Sosa
283.52
31,765
19,487
21,072
Pasar Ujung Batu
16
22765
12.21.14
Ulu Sosa
211.67
(c)
9,076
9,470
Hapung
11
22765
12.21.15
Sosa Julu
155.95
(c)
10,295
11,100
Hurung Jilok
12
22765
12.21.17
Sosa Timur (East Sosa)
159.55
(d)
8,623
8,796
Tanjung Ale
13
22742 & 22776
12.21.09
Batang Lubu Sutam
184.75
11,990
8,113
8,364
Pinarik
20
22742
12.21.05
Huta Raja Tinggi
663.24
39,575
39,252
40,923
Huta Raja Tinggi
26
22776
12.21.03
Huristak
523.59
19,794
18,652
19,027
Pasar Huristak
27
22743
12.21.02
Barumun Tengah (Central Barumun)
119.40
18,153
16,307
16,888
Padang Hasior
21
22755
12.21.11
Aek Nabara Barumun
329.36
10,725
13,107
14,035
Aek Nabara
25
22755
12.21.12
Sihapas Barumun
48.25
4,574
5,685
6,117
Padang Hasior
13
22755
12.21.16
Barumun Barat (West Barumun)
51.01
(e)
4,147
4,524
Aek Nabara
10
22755
Totals
3,912.18
226,807
261,011
275,648
Sibuhuan
304
Notes: (a) including Pasar Sibuhuan, the sole kelurahan in the regency. (b) the 2010 Census population of the new Barumun Baru District is included in the figure for the Barumun District, from which it was cut out in 2019.[3] (c) the 2010 Census populations of the new Sosa Julu and Ulu Sosa Districts are included in the figure for the Sosa District, from which they were cut out in 2019.[3] (d) the 2010 Census populations of the new Sosa Timur District are included in the figures for the Batang Lubu Sutam and Hutaraja Tinggi Districts, from which it was cut out in 2019.[3] (e) the 2010 Census populations of the new Barumun Barut District are included in the figure for the Barumun Tengah District, from which it was cut out in 2019.[3]
Archaeology
Buddha bronze statue found at Si Pamatung in Barumun Tengah district
