San Rafael's 2026 population is now estimated at 48,820. In 2023, the population of San Rafael was 48,841. San Rafael experienced a decrease of -7 residents over the past year, marking an annual decline of -0.01%. These population values and projections come from World Population Review Internal Projections .
| City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | 364,062 | 0.82% |
| Alajuela | 340,416 | 1.39% |
| Desamparados | 223,378 | 0.02% |
| San Carlos | 209,455 | 1.32% |
| Cartago | 170,677 | 0.79% |
| Perez Zeledon | 163,877 | 1.09% |
| Pococi | 152,234 | 1% |
| Puntarenas (incl. Monte Verde) | 149,385 | 1.33% |
| Goicoechea | 134,096 | 0.37% |
| Heredia | 133,143 | 0.23% |
| Limon | 124,783 | 1.74% |
| La Union | 98,944 | -0.15% |
| San Ramon | 96,906 | 0.96% |
| Liberia | 86,564 | 1.95% |
| Turrialba | 85,791 | 1.12% |
| Alajuelita | 80,541 | -0.15% |
| Grecia | 78,763 | 0.82% |
| Santa Cruz | 78,377 | 2.01% |
| Escazu | 74,551 | 1.05% |
| Tibas | 73,218 | -0.46% |
| Nicoya | 72,697 | 2.34% |
| Curridabat | 70,221 | -0.28% |
| Paraiso | 69,078 | 1.17% |
| Sarapiqui | 68,149 | 0.37% |
| Vazquez de Coronado | 67,992 | 0.34% |
| Siquirres | 65,044 | 0.5% |
| Upala | 61,501 | 1.76% |
| Aserri | 60,144 | 0.23% |
| Santa Ana | 59,883 | 0.79% |
| Moravia | 59,855 | 0.13% |
| Talamanca | 54,739 | 2.86% |
| Carrillo | 52,559 | 2.17% |
| Corredores | 52,532 | 0.73% |
| Buenos Aires | 51,794 | 0.6% |
| Montes de Oca | 51,784 | -0.98% |
| Guacimo | 50,795 | 0.59% |
| Barva | 50,359 | 1.37% |
| Oreamuno | 49,961 | 0.53% |
| El Guarco | 49,294 | 1% |
| San Rafael | 48,820 | -0.01% |
| Naranjo | 47,729 | 0.58% |
| Coto Brus | 47,489 | 0.61% |
| Matina | 46,952 | 0.88% |
| Santo Domingo | 46,445 | 0.28% |
| Golfito (incl. Puerto Jimenez) | 45,259 | 0.66% |
| Palmares | 40,206 | 0.67% |
| Puriscal | 40,109 | 1.01% |
| Santa Barbara | 39,807 | 0.43% |
| Poas | 38,915 | 1.82% |
| Osa | 38,841 | 1.86% |
| Los Chiles | 37,863 | 2.2% |
| Esparza | 35,441 | 0.45% |
| Mora | 34,202 | 1.4% |
| Quepos (Aguirre) | 33,974 | 1.18% |
| Canas | 32,701 | 0.75% |
| Atenas | 32,001 | 1.29% |
| San Pablo | 30,169 | 0.26% |
| Garabito | 29,517 | 2.57% |
| La Cruz | 28,536 | 1.56% |
| Orotina | 25,622 | 1.42% |
| Bagaces | 24,854 | 1.18% |
| Abangares | 23,732 | 1.67% |
| Belen | 23,603 | -0.16% |
| San Isidro | 23,552 | 0.8% |
| Acosta | 23,423 | 0.96% |
| Sarchi (Valverde Vega) | 22,186 | 0.72% |
| Flores | 21,989 | -0.04% |
| Tilaran | 21,557 | 0.38% |
| Parrita | 21,378 | 1.59% |
| Jimenez | 19,935 | 1.6% |
| Guatuso | 18,840 | 0.71% |
| Alvarado | 18,297 | 1.66% |
| Tarrazu | 18,054 | 0.34% |
| Montes de Oro | 17,870 | 2.18% |
| Zarcero (Alfaro Ruiz) | 16,091 | 1.51% |
| Rio Cuarto (← Grecia) | 15,045 | 1.07% |
| Leon Cortes Castro | 13,970 | 0.76% |
| Nandayure | 12,091 | 0.46% |
| Dota | 10,205 | 2.17% |
| Hojancha | 8,511 | 0.85% |
| San Mateo | 7,136 | 0.65% |
| Turrubares | 6,212 | 0.15% |