| Admin District | Male | Male % | Female | Female % | Total | % of County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klay | 13,238 | 51.5% | 12,482 | 48.5% | 25,720 | 19.2% |
| Suehn Mecca | 8,577 | 52.9% | 7,642 | 47.1% | 16,219 | 12.1% |
| Senjeh | 26,905 | 51.0% | 25,835 | 49.0% | 52,740 | 39.4% |
| Dowein | 14,495 | 51.1% | 13,876 | 48.9% | 28,371 | 21.2% |
| Tehr | 5,359 | 50.3% | 5,296 | 49.7% | 10,655 | 8.0% |
| Total | 68,574 | 51.3% | 65,131 | 48.7% | 133,705 | 100.0% |
Source: 2022 Liberia Population and Housing Census — LISGIS Final Results, Appendix B, Table B1, Page 84. Published June 2023.
Source: LISGIS 2022 Census, Table B1, Page 84. County total: 133,705.
| County | Bomi |
| Year Established | 1984 |
| Capital | Tubmanburg |
| Population (2022) | 133,705 — 68,574 males (51.3%) / 65,131 females (48.7%) |
| Area | 1,942 km² (750 sq mi) |
| Population Density | 68.9 persons/km² |
| Admin. Districts | 5 — Senjeh, Dowein, Klay, Suehn Mecca, Tehr |
| Electoral Districts | 3 — ED 1, ED 2, ED 3 |
| Chiefdoms | 5 |
| Clans | 18 |
| % of National Population | 2.55% of 5,250,187 |
| Avg. Household Size (2022) | 3.5 persons — lowest in Liberia |
| Urban Population | 34,166 (25.6%) |
| Rural Population | 99,539 (74.4%) |
| Sex Ratio | 105.3 males per 100 females |
| Total Households | 38,599 |
| Agric. Households | 32.0% — national avg. 30.2% |
| Population Growth | +58.9% since 2008 (from 84,119) |
| Bordered By | Gbarpolu (N), Grand Cape Mount (W), Montserrado (E/SE), Atlantic Ocean (S) |
| Primary Data Source | LISGIS 2022 Population and Housing Census, Final Results, Table B1 |
Each district's population is from the 2022 LISGIS Census, Table B1, Page 84. All figures are exact — no estimates.
The most populous district, home to Tubmanburg City — the county seat. Site of Liberia's historic iron ore mining industry (LMC, 1950s–1979) and the iconic Blue Lake, a ~300-foot-deep crater lake formed after mining operations ceased.
Tubmanburg was formerly known as Bomi Hills and was renamed in honour of President William V.S. Tubman during his 76th birthday celebration in 1963. The Liberia Mining Company (LMC), a subsidiary of Republic Steel Corporation, operated iron ore extraction here, completing a 43-mile narrow-gauge railway to Monrovia in 1951. LMC built hospitals, schools, and infrastructure that defined the area for decades. Operations ceased around 1977–1979, leaving the Blue Lake — aquamarine, ~300 feet deep, suspended between surrounding hills — which has been identified as a tourism destination since 2007.
Senjeh covers Electoral District 1 (Tubmanburg City plus 9 amalgamated towns: Baima, Barmo, Beafinie, Besao, Bola, Gayah Hill, Sackie, Weakama, and Zamian) and one town in Electoral District 2 (Maher amalgamated town). During the Second Civil War (1999–2003), Tubmanburg served as headquarters for the LURD rebel group. The county seat today houses government services, commerce, and health infrastructure for the wider county.
The second most populous district, occupying the central interior. A primarily rural and agricultural district that spans both ED 2 and ED 3.
Dowein (also Dewoin) is divided across two electoral districts. In Electoral District 2: amalgamated towns of Beh, Gbaigbon, Manjama and Vortor. In Electoral District 3: amalgamated towns of Binda, Bogbeh, Bonor, Bowein, Dargweh, Jenneh, Leyahn, Vincent, Weajor and Zohn Barmon. Agriculture — rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, and palm products — forms the economic foundation. The district lies within Bomi's broader natural resources zone containing diamonds, gold, and timber.
Southwestern Bomi, along the Monrovia–Tubmanburg highway (~40 km from Monrovia). Home to the Sime Darby rubber and palm oil plantation — Liberia's second-largest — entirely within ED 2.
Klay falls entirely within Electoral District 2, covering 7 amalgamated towns: Gogehn, Golodee, Gonzipo, Guie, Kowadee, Malema, and Seah. Sime Darby (formerly the Guthrie Plantation) employs a significant portion of the district's active workforce and dominates extensive stretches of the highway corridor. Klay town is a key transport crossroads, with the Bomi County Highway extending toward Bo Waterside in Grand Cape Mount County, supporting cross-border trade with Sierra Leone.
Southern coastal district bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. Includes Ting Mamu and Ting Nyajo islands. Covered entirely by Electoral District 3. Has the highest male proportion (52.9%) among Bomi's districts.
Suehn Mecca (also recorded as Seuhn Mecca) is entirely covered by Electoral District 3 — all its amalgamated towns fall within ED 3. Its Atlantic coastal location supports fishing communities alongside inland agriculture. The district's proximity to Montserrado County positions it for potential coastal development and marine economic activity as post-war infrastructure improves.
Least populous district, occupying the northeastern interior and bordering Gbarpolu County to the north. Most balanced sex ratio (50.3% M / 49.7% F) among the five districts. Spans both ED 2 and ED 3.
Tehr is the fifth and most recently added administrative district. In Electoral District 2: 10 amalgamated towns — Deadilah, Feffeh, Gbargbah, Golodee, Lekpeh, Moah, Nyamah, Todien, Weamoi, and Weawolo. In Electoral District 3: Boe and Zahn amalgamated towns. Agriculture — rice, cassava, and subsistence farming — forms the economic base. The district's northern border with Gbarpolu County provides potential cross-border economic linkages, and its forests contain timber, gold, and diamond resources.
Bomi operates two distinct district structures. See also: District Types and Districts Introduction.
Headed by District Commissioners appointed by the President. Used for public administration, tax collection, and development planning. Bomi has 5 Chiefdoms and 18 Clans.
Each elects one Representative to the House of Representatives. Total: 63,112 registered voters across 84 centers (NEC, July 2023).
| Electoral District | Female | Female % | Male | Male % | Total | Centers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electoral District 1 | 9,419 | 48.97% | 9,817 | 51.03% | 19,236 | 27 |
| Electoral District 2 | 9,421 | 49.21% | 9,722 | 50.79% | 19,143 | 28 |
| Electoral District 3 | 11,844 | 47.88% | 12,889 | 52.12% | 24,733 | 29 |
| County Total | 30,684 | 48.62% | 32,428 | 51.38% | 63,112 | 84 |
Source: National Elections Commission (NEC), Republic of Liberia — Electoral Districts & Eligible Voter Registrants Summary Report, July 28, 2023.
Bomi County operates within Liberia's centralized governance framework. See also: District Leadership.
Presidential appointee heading the county. Oversees all administrative operations and liaises between county and central government.
Appointed by the President for each of Bomi's 5 administrative districts. Handle day-to-day administration, public order, and development implementation.
Elected to the House of Representatives — one per electoral district. ED 1: Rep. Jahkpakpa O. Barney; ED 2 and ED 3 each return one member.
Bomi County elects two senators to the Liberian Senate, representing the county at the national legislative level.
Lead chiefdoms within districts. Handle customary law, land disputes, and community mobilization. Bomi has 5 chiefdoms across 18 clans.
Govern at the sub-chiefdom level — the most local point of traditional governance across the county's 18 clans.
Bomi means "light" in the Gola language, recognizing the County's status as the first site for iron ore mining in Liberia.
Bomi County is a predominantly Gola-speaking region, though at least 15 dialects or languages are spoken. The four principal ethnic groups are Gola, Dei, Mandingo and Kpelle, though all 16 of Liberia's major groups are thought to be represented. Some 70% of the active workforce is engaged in agriculture.
Per the 2022 LISGIS census (Table A7), the Gola constitute 3.8% of Liberia's national ethnic population. The Poro (men's) and Sande (women's) bush societies — traditional initiation institutions central to the Gola — remain active across the county's districts. Local cuisine includes Wolor, a distinctive soup made from ground okra. 20% of the workforce participates in business and trading; local governments employ 10%. The Gola are considered one of Liberia's oldest tribes and are credited with originating both the Poro and Sande societies in Liberia.
Per the 2022 LISGIS census, 32.0% of Bomi's households are engaged in agriculture — above the national average of 30.2%. Agricultural households are predominantly male-headed (67.1%, Table A23). Bomi represents 3.4% of Liberia's total agricultural households.
| District | Key Economic Assets | Natural Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Senjeh | Tubmanburg commerce; government services; Blue Lake tourism; former iron ore infrastructure | Iron ore (Bomi Hills); stone & sand; gold |
| Klay | Sime Darby rubber & palm oil plantation (2nd largest in Liberia); highway commerce; proximity to Monrovia | Rubber; palm oil; fertile agricultural land |
| Dowein | Subsistence & commercial farming; timber; cross-district trade | Timber; diamonds; gold; agricultural land |
| Suehn Mecca | Atlantic coastal fishing; marine resources; agricultural production | Marine fisheries; Atlantic shoreline; agricultural land |
| Tehr | Subsistence agriculture; forest resources; cross-border links to Gbarpolu | Timber; gold; diamonds; fertile land |
Natural Resources of Bomi County
Spanning 1,942 km², Bomi is bordered by Gbarpolu (N), Grand Cape Mount (W), Montserrado (E/SE), and the Atlantic Ocean (S).
| Indicator | Bomi County | Liberia National |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population (2022) | 133,705 | 5,250,187 |
| % of National Population | 2.55% | 100% |
| Land Area | 1,942 km² | 97,098 km² |
| Population Density | 68.9 persons/km² | 140 persons/km² |
| Urban Population | 34,166 (25.6%) | 2,862,154 (54.5%) |
| Rural Population | 99,539 (74.4%) | 2,388,033 (45.5%) |
| Average Household Size | 3.5 — lowest in Liberia | 4.4 |
| Sex Ratio (M per 100 F) | 105.3 | 101.5 |
| Total Households | 38,599 | 1,187,514 |
| Agricultural Households | 32.0% of households | 30.2% national avg. |
| Population Growth (2008–2022) | +58.9% (from 84,119) | +51.0% |
Sources: LISGIS 2022 Population and Housing Census, Final Results, Tables A3, A4, A8, A10, A23 and Table B1.
Republic of Liberia — Ministry of Internal Affairs
Liberian Government Gazette (1964 Establishment Act)
National Archives of Liberia
Bomi County Administration Official County Publications; County Development Agenda (CDA)
2022 Housing and Population Census: Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) — Final Results, Appendix B, Table B1: Population Distribution by County, Administrative District, and Sex, Page 84; and Appendix A Tables A3, A4, A8, A10, A23. Published June 2023. lisgis.gov.lr
2008 National Population and Housing Census: LISGIS — Bomi County Map with District Population Figures
National Elections Commission (NEC), Republic of Liberia — Electoral Districts & Eligible Voter Registrants Summary Report, July 28, 2023. necliberia.org
Senate.gov.lr — Republic of Liberia Legislature
LiberiaData.com — Districts Introduction
Crown Copyright (2015) — PCGN Information Paper: Liberia Administrative Divisions
Britannica — Tubmanburg entry