Good to know
Good to Know
- Oaxaca state ranks 10th in Mexico by population but maintains strong indigenous identity with 48% speaking indigenous languages—highest after Yucatán.
- The digital nomad community in Oaxaca city is growing but remains intimate (50-100 regular nomads) compared to Mexico City or coastal hubs, creating a tight-knit professional network.
- Expat population is estimated at 5,000-20,000+ in the metro area, but remains less visible than in San Miguel de Allende or Riviera Maya—life in Oaxaca is 'truly a life in Mexico' rather than an expat bubble.
- Most expats and digital nomads are from the US, Canada, and Europe; working remotely in tech, design, writing, and online business.
- Oaxaca is the mezcal capital of Mexico and also a major coffee producer; both industries support significant local employment and exports.
- The state's economy is less developed than northern Mexico, with agriculture still dominant; remittances from Oaxacans abroad are central to household incomes.
City Population
- Metro Area Growth Rate
- 1.34% annually
- Metro Area 2025
- 757000
- Oaxaca City 2020
- 270955
Age Demographics
- Population Under 30 Percent
- 60
- Women Male Ratio
- women outnumber men by approximately 150,000
State Population
- Total
- 4200000
- Rank By Size
- 10th largest state in Mexico
Rural Urban Split
- Rural Percent
- 53
- Urban Percent
- 47
Indigenous Population
- Indigenous Speakers Percent State
- 48
- Ethnic Complexity
- 16 officially recognized ethno-linguistic groups; studies suggest up to 4,000 distinct cultures
- State Significance
- Oaxaca has greatest number of distinct indigenous peoples and languages in Mexico
- Indigenous Speakers Absolute 2005
- 1091502
Major Groups
Zapotec
- Percent Of Indigenous
- 31
- Population Approximate
- 350000
Mixtec
- Percent Of Indigenous
- 27
- Population Approximate
- 240000
Religious Composition
- Catholic Percent
- 85
- Note
- Oaxaca has one of lowest weekly church attendance rates (47%) among Mexican states
Foreign Born And Expats
- Expat Population Estimate
- 5,000-20,000+ in Oaxaca city/metro area
- National Context
- Mexico's foreign-born population in 2020 was 1.21 million (0.9% of national population), with majority from United States
- Expat Estimate Note
- Multiple sources cite various ranges; specific census percentage for Oaxaca city not publicly detailed. 2010 census showed 17,070 foreign-born in state (15,158 from US, 1,912 from other countries). Oaxaca state saw 272% growth in foreign residents 2000-2010.
Top Nationalities
- United States (dominant)
- Canada
- Europeans
Business And Tech Presence
- Coworking Spaces
- Multiple options including Pixel Coworking and Cubo Coworking; hundreds of cafes available for remote work
- Tech Ecosystem Status
- Limited compared to Mexico City or Guadalajara. Oaxaca not designated as a major tech hub but growing attraction for digital nomads and creatives.
- Digital Nomad Community
- 50-100 regular nomads at any given time, with seasonal fluctuations. Growing but intimate community, primarily North American and European, working in tech, writing, design, consulting, online businesses.
Workforce Data
- Unemployment Rate
- 1.63%
- Employment Gender
- 40.6% women, 59.4% men
- Average Monthly Salary State
- MX$4,220
- Economically Active Population State Q1 2025
- 1.83 million
Primary Economic Sectors
- State Level
- Agriculture (corn, beans), handicrafts, tourism, artisan goods, coffee, mezcal production
- Exports 2024
- Undenatured ethyl alcohol (US$57.7M), fruit (figs, pineapples, avocados, mangoes; US$50.3M), coffee (US$8.51M)
- International Trade Partners
- United States (largest), Canada, Spain, Germany
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this local demographics research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Oaxaca
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.