ⓘ Data source note: Clan count (stat card) is from the Grand Kru County Development Agenda (CDA), the official administrative record. Individual district clan breakdowns in the District Profiles below are from the 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey (field census). Totals may differ due to different administrative and field definitions. Towns/Villages figure is from the 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey. Note: the survey uses "Barclayville" to cover the area that the LISGIS Table B separates into Barclayville and Penicess districts; Penicess is treated accordingly below. "Buah" in the survey corresponds to the Buan administrative district. Both sources are cited for transparency.
For the full county profile, including year of establishment, capital, area, borders, flag, climate and complete county overview, see the Grand Kru County page.
Administrative Districts Population Overview
| Admin District | Male | Male % | Female | Female % | Total | % of County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cess Wedabo | 9,291 | 51.6% | 8,720 | 48.4% | 18,011 | 16.5% |
| Garraway | 8,729 | 51.3% | 8,271 | 48.7% | 17,000 | 15.5% |
| Barclayville | 6,225 | 49.3% | 6,394 | 50.7% | 12,619 | 11.5% |
| Trenbo | 4,847 | 52.8% | 4,335 | 47.2% | 9,182 | 8.4% |
| Dorbor | 4,455 | 54.5% | 3,712 | 45.5% | 8,167 | 7.5% |
| Gee | 2,681 | 50.3% | 2,647 | 49.7% | 5,328 | 4.9% |
| Forpoh | 2,850 | 57.3% | 2,120 | 42.7% | 4,970 | 4.5% |
| Dweh | 2,213 | 55.8% | 1,753 | 44.2% | 3,966 | 3.6% |
| Felo-Jekwi | 1,895 | 48.6% | 2,008 | 51.4% | 3,903 | 3.6% |
| Upper Jloh | 1,989 | 53.1% | 1,757 | 46.9% | 3,746 | 3.4% |
| Lower Jloh | 1,834 | 50.4% | 1,805 | 49.6% | 3,639 | 3.3% |
| Buan | 1,564 | 53.9% | 1,339 | 46.1% | 2,903 | 2.7% |
| Nrokwia-Wesldow | 1,468 | 51.1% | 1,405 | 48.9% | 2,873 | 2.6% |
| Penicess | 1,429 | 50.5% | 1,399 | 49.5% | 2,828 | 2.6% |
| Bleebo | 1,480 | 52.5% | 1,340 | 47.5% | 2,820 | 2.6% |
| Fenetoe | 1,194 | 53.4% | 1,042 | 46.6% | 2,236 | 2.0% |
| Wlogba | 1,163 | 57.3% | 866 | 42.7% | 2,029 | 1.9% |
| Bolloh | 907 | 51.7% | 848 | 48.3% | 1,755 | 1.6% |
| Kpi | 785 | 57.4% | 582 | 42.6% | 1,367 | 1.3% |
| Total | 56,999 | 52.1% | 52,343 | 47.9% | 109,342 | 100.0% |
Source: 2022 Liberia Population and Housing Census, LISGIS Final Results, Table B: Population Distribution by County, Administrative District, and Sex. Published June 2023.
Population Distribution by Administrative District (2022)
Source: LISGIS 2022 Census. County total: 109,342.
District Profiles
Population figures (LISGIS, grey pill) are from the 2022 LISGIS Census, Table B, the official county district totals. Clans, towns/villages and enumerated population figures are from the 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey (field census). Grand Kru’s 19 districts span from 18,011 (Grand Cess Wedabo) to 1,367 (Kpi). Three districts have female majorities: Barclayville (50.7%), Felo-Jekwi (51.4%), and Gee (near-parity 49.7%). The most remote interior districts record the highest male proportions (Kpi 57.4%, Forpoh and Wlogba 57.3%).
The most populous administrative district. Grand Cess, the main town, was one of the two original capitals before Barclayville was selected as a compromise seat. Part of Sasstown Territory under Sinoe County before 1984. Covered by Electoral District 1. Male majority: 51.6%.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoloken | 7 | 2,501 | 2,356 | 4,857 |
| Gbanken | 7 | 1,755 | 1,687 | 3,442 |
| Grand Cess | 1 | 823 | 885 | 1,708 |
| New Cess | 1 | 444 | 358 | 802 |
| District Total | 16 | 5,523 | 5,286 | 10,809 |
Enumeration total: 10,809 across 4 clans and 16 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 18,011.
5 Largest Towns:
Grand Cess is one of the oldest Kru trading towns on the Atlantic coast, historically a point of contact between Kru seafarers and European traders. The Wedabo component of the district name refers to the Wedabo subgroup of the Kru people. Grand Cess's prominence as a pre-1984 territorial capital explains its sustained population lead and relatively more developed coastal infrastructure compared to interior districts.
The second most populous district, in the eastern coastal section. Garraway (also Graway) is a Kru subgroup name and historic coastal settlement near the border with Maryland County. Covered by Electoral District 2. Male majority: 51.3%. Has the most clans (8) of any Grand Kru district.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Garraway | 4 | 1,398 | 1,308 | 2,706 |
| Upper Garraway | 3 | 1,122 | 981 | 2,103 |
| Upper Nimiah | 3 | 875 | 736 | 1,611 |
| Genoyah | 3 | 561 | 515 | 1,076 |
| Po-River Big Town | 1 | 256 | 286 | 542 |
| Piddy Nyanbo | 2 | 265 | 254 | 519 |
| Po-River Middle Town | 2 | 248 | 251 | 499 |
| Lower Nimiah | 1 | 243 | 226 | 469 |
| District Total | 19 | 4,968 | 4,557 | 9,525 |
Enumeration total: 9,525 across 8 clans and 19 towns/villages, the most clans of any Grand Kru district. Official LISGIS district total: 17,000.
5 Largest Towns:
Garraway District was part of Kru Coast Territory under Maryland County before 1984. The Garraway people are a coastal Kru subgroup with longstanding traditions in seafaring and offshore labour; Kru men (Krumen) were in high demand as crew on European vessels from the 17th century onwards. The district's position near the Maryland border means some community ties extend into Maryland County's Pleebo-Sodeken district.
Home to Barclayville, the county capital, deliberately chosen as a neutral site to avoid the political rivalry between Grand Cess and Sasstown. The only district in Grand Kru with a clear female majority: 50.7% female / 49.3% male. Straddles both electoral districts (Kpor community in ED 1; remainder in ED 2). Has the most towns/villages (25) of any Grand Kru district.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wakpeken Seator | 2 | 1,950 | 1,900 | 3,850 |
| Gballakpo | 8 | 1,342 | 1,373 | 2,715 |
| Kpoh | 6 | 1,140 | 1,156 | 2,296 |
| Topoc-Suchn | 6 | 832 | 834 | 1,666 |
| Klipo | 3 | 514 | 532 | 1,046 |
| District Total | 25 | 5,778 | 5,795 | 11,573 |
Enumeration total: 11,573 across 5 clans and 25 towns/villages, the most towns/villages of any Grand Kru district. Note: the enumeration survey uses "Barclayville" to cover the combined Barclayville-Penicess area; the LISGIS Table B separates Barclayville (12,619) and Penicess (2,828) as distinct districts. The Penicess profile below reflects the LISGIS figure; enumeration clan data is attributed to Barclayville. Official LISGIS district total: 12,619.
5 Largest Towns:
Barclayville was named after President Arthur Barclay (served 1904–1912) and was selected as Grand Kru's capital explicitly to avoid the rivalry between Grand Cess and Sasstown. Despite being the county capital since 1984, Barclayville has historically lacked the infrastructure that capital status typically implies. The district's female majority (50.7%) and three distinct towns listed as "cities" (Barclayville, Henriesville City, Picnicess City) reflect its urban capital character.
Also spelled Trehn or Treneh. Fourth most populous district. The Trehn (Trenbo) people are a Kru subgroup with established coastal and interior communities. Covered by Electoral District 1. Male majority: 52.8%.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behwan | 1 | 655 | 642 | 1,297 |
| Dougbo | 3 | 646 | 571 | 1,217 |
| Newaken | 1 | 338 | 313 | 651 |
| Sonoken | 3 | 105 | 102 | 207 |
| Nyuanobo | 1 | 77 | 87 | 164 |
| Gbanken | 1 | 39 | 56 | 95 |
| District Total | 10 | 1,860 | 1,771 | 3,631 |
Enumeration total: 3,631 across 6 clans and 10 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 9,182.
5 Largest Towns:
Trenbo District spans coastal and hinterland communities with livelihoods split between Atlantic fishing and subsistence inland farming. The Trehn Kru, like other coastal Kru subgroups, have a tradition of seafaring and offshore labour. The district contributes to ED 1's western coastal composition.
A significant interior district with a male majority of 54.5%, higher than coastal districts, suggesting inland labour migration. Covered by Electoral District 2. Sits at the coastal-hinterland transition zone in central Grand Kru County.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fubo | 2 | 423 | 455 | 878 |
| Chanbeti | 1 | 314 | 259 | 573 |
| Gballeh | 1 | 206 | 223 | 429 |
| Putiah | 2 | 166 | 131 | 297 |
| Kartorborh | 3 | 88 | 99 | 187 |
| District Total | 9 | 1,197 | 1,167 | 2,364 |
Enumeration total: 2,364 across 5 clans and 9 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 8,167.
5 Largest Towns:
Dorbor District's interior position places it within the hinterland Kru and Grebo community zone of Grand Kru County. The county's union of coastal Kru and interior Grebo peoples is most visible in districts like Dorbor. Subsistence agriculture (rice, cassava, plantain) and forest products form the primary livelihoods.
The most gender-balanced district, effectively parity at 50.3% male / 49.7% female. Note: River Gee County takes its name from this same Kru subgroup. Covered by Electoral District 2.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarken | 4 | 969 | 984 | 1,953 |
| Gissaken | 1 | 285 | 305 | 590 |
| District Total | 5 | 1,254 | 1,289 | 2,543 |
Enumeration total: 2,543 across 2 clans and 5 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 5,328.
5 Largest Towns:
The Gee people are a Kru subgroup historically significant as both a Grand Kru district community and the namesake of neighbouring River Gee County, established in 2000. Gee District's near-equal sex ratio (50.3% male) is distinctive; only Felo-Jekwi and Barclayville have female majorities. The balanced demographic may reflect a stable community with both agricultural and coastal livelihood access.
One of the county’s most male-skewed districts: 57.3% male / 42.7% female, joint highest with Wlogba. Interior location associated with male labour migration. Covered by Electoral District 2.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheneken | 5 | 411 | 359 | 770 |
| Meneh | 2 | 349 | 323 | 672 |
| Bugbab | 1 | 56 | 47 | 103 |
| District Total | 8 | 816 | 729 | 1,545 |
Enumeration total: 1,545 across 3 clans and 8 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 4,970.
5 Largest Towns:
Forpoh District's pronounced male majority (57.3%), joint highest in the county, combined with a small total population reflects a highly dispersed interior settlement pattern with significant male labour out-migration. Subsistence agriculture and forest products are the primary livelihoods.
An interior district with a male majority of 55.8%. Covered by Electoral District 2. The Dweh name is a Kru/Grebo toponym. The single dominant settlement, Allawala City (pop. 805), accounts for 87% of the entire enumeration total.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saywoken | 2 | 408 | 412 | 820 |
| Nuwean | 2 | 65 | 43 | 108 |
| District Total | 4 | 473 | 455 | 928 |
Enumeration total: 928 across 2 clans and 4 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 3,966.
Largest Towns:
One of three districts with a female majority: 51.4% female / 48.6% male, notable for an interior district and likely reflecting a stable agricultural community with lower male out-migration. Covered by Electoral District 2.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felor | 1 | 367 | 421 | 788 |
| Jekwi | 1 | 386 | 398 | 784 |
| Dayokpo | 1 | 228 | 211 | 439 |
| District Total | 3 | 981 | 1,030 | 2,011 |
Enumeration total: 2,011 across 3 clans and 3 towns/villages, one town per clan. Official LISGIS district total: 3,903.
Towns:
One of two Jloh districts, the Jloh designation refers to a Kru community cluster split administratively into upper and lower sub-districts. Upper Jloh: 53.1% male. Covered by Electoral District 2.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niforh | 4 | 521 | 547 | 1,068 |
| Gbatu | 2 | 228 | 230 | 458 |
| Bluni | 3 | 24 | 23 | 47 |
| District Total | 9 | 773 | 800 | 1,573 |
Enumeration total: 1,573 across 3 clans and 9 towns/villages. Note: the Niforh clan has more females (547) than males (521) despite the district's overall male majority, reflecting varied settlement dynamics within the district. Official LISGIS district total: 3,746.
5 Largest Towns:
Companion district to Upper Jloh. Near gender parity: 50.4% male / 49.6% female (arithmetically corrected; LISGIS source shows typographical error of 1,005 female; correct figure is 1,805). Covered by Electoral District 2.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wappor | 5 | 310 | 254 | 564 |
| Weagba | 2 | 128 | 129 | 257 |
| Wolo | 3 | 120 | 127 | 247 |
| Niplaihkpo | 1 | 111 | 106 | 217 |
| District Total | 11 | 669 | 616 | 1,285 |
Enumeration total: 1,285 across 4 clans and 11 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 3,639 (female corrected to 1,805).
5 Largest Towns:
Holds historical administrative significance; before 1984, the Buah Statutory District was a separate administrative unit incorporated into Grand Kru County. The Buah (Buan) people speak a Kru-related language. Male majority: 53.9%. Covered by Electoral District 2. Note: the enumeration survey labels this district as "Buah": this is the same as the Buan administrative district.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planplanken | 3 | 226 | 209 | 435 |
| Nyantu | 3 | 81 | 66 | 147 |
| Wulugha | 2 | 37 | 24 | 61 |
| District Total | 8 | 344 | 299 | 643 |
Enumeration total: 643 across 3 clans and 8 towns/villages (listed as "Buah" in the survey). Official LISGIS district total: 2,903.
5 Largest Towns:
A combined-name district reflecting two Kru community clusters. Near-balanced sex ratio: 51.1% male / 48.9% female. Covered by Electoral District 2.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weslow | 3 | 615 | 518 | 1,133 |
| Nrokwia | 6 | 395 | 348 | 743 |
| District Total | 9 | 1,010 | 866 | 1,876 |
Enumeration total: 1,876 across 2 clans and 9 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 2,873.
5 Largest Towns:
Near gender parity: 50.5% male / 49.5% female. Administratively linked with Barclayville in NEC boundary documentation as Barclayville-Penicess District. The Kpor community falls within Electoral District 1; the remainder in ED 2. Note: the 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey covers Penicess under the "Barclayville" district entry; see Barclayville profile above for enumeration clan data.
Part of the Electoral District 1 cluster. Male majority: 52.5%. The district's largest town, Blebo, accounts for 67% of the enumerated total.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karwalaken | 2 | 745 | 732 | 1,477 |
| Saywonken | 2 | 128 | 105 | 233 |
| District Total | 4 | 873 | 837 | 1,710 |
Enumeration total: 1,710 across 2 clans and 4 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 2,820.
Towns:
A small interior district. Male majority: 53.4%. Covered by Electoral District 2. Subsistence agriculture and forest products are primary livelihoods.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barmeneh | 2 | 660 | 622 | 1,282 |
| Flenwleh | 2 | 212 | 202 | 414 |
| District Total | 4 | 872 | 824 | 1,696 |
Enumeration total: 1,696 across 2 clans and 4 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 2,236.
Towns:
Joint-highest male proportion in the county: 57.3% male / 42.7% female, equal to Forpoh. Substantial imbalance in a small district strongly indicates male labour out-migration from the resident female base. Covered by Electoral District 2.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phunoh | 1 | 204 | 208 | 412 |
| Gballah | 1 | 153 | 122 | 275 |
| District Total | 2 | 357 | 330 | 687 |
Enumeration total: 687 across 2 clans and 2 towns/villages, the fewest towns of any Grand Kru district with enumeration data. Official LISGIS district total: 2,029.
Towns:
One of Grand Kru’s smallest districts. Near gender parity: 51.7% male / 48.3% female. Covered by Electoral District 2. Two towns, each belonging to a distinct clan; the entire district has only 2 enumerated settlements.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karlakpo | 1 | 554 | 444 | 998 |
| Warsweh | 1 | 498 | 421 | 919 |
| District Total | 2 | 1,052 | 865 | 1,917 |
Enumeration total: 1,917 across 2 clans and 2 towns/villages. Official LISGIS district total: 1,755.
Towns:
The least populous administrative district in Grand Kru County. The highest male proportion in the county: 57.4% male / 42.6% female. Covered by Electoral District 2. Extreme male skew and small population indicate a highly dispersed remote interior community with pronounced male out-migration. Unusually has 6 clans for such a small district, the most fragmented clan structure relative to population in Grand Kru.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dartuken | 3 | 422 | 354 | 776 |
| Tarwroken / Taybu | 2 | 257 | 237 | 494 |
| Jlatuken | 5 | 101 | 97 | 198 |
| Arnaken | 1 | 39 | 32 | 71 |
| Wehteken | 1 | 16 | 21 | 37 |
| Togbaken | 3 | 13 | 8 | 21 |
| District Total | 15 | 848 | 749 | 1,597 |
Enumeration total: 1,597 across 6 clans and 15 towns/villages. Note: Kpi has the most fragmented clan structure (6 clans) relative to its tiny population of any Grand Kru district, with 4 of the 6 clans recording fewer than 100 people. Official LISGIS district total: 1,367.
5 Largest Towns:
Administrative Districts vs. Electoral Districts
Grand Kru has only 2 Electoral Districts for 19 administrative districts, the lowest ratio of EDs to ADs in Liberia, reflecting the county’s small total population. Administrative Districts are used for governance; Electoral Districts for legislative representation.
Headed by District Commissioners appointed by the President. Grand Kru has 37 Chiefdoms and 67 Clans (CDA), the largest clan count of any Liberian county.
Each elects one Representative. Total: 42,396 registered voters (NEC, 2023). ED 2 Rep Jonathan Fonati Koffa was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in January 2024. For full voter data, see the Grand Kru County electoral section.
The full Registered Voter Population Overview by Electoral District (NEC, 2023), including male/female split and Representatives, is county-level electoral data. See the complete breakdown on the Grand Kru County page, Electoral section.
Economy & Natural Resources by Administrative District
Because this data is broken down specifically by administrative district, it is presented here. For the broader county-level economic narrative, Atlantic fisheries, Kru maritime heritage, road infrastructure challenges, see the Grand Kru County economy section.
| District | Key Economic Assets | Natural Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Cess Wedabo | Atlantic coast fishing; Kru maritime trade tradition; coastal commerce | Atlantic Ocean fisheries; coastal land; forest products |
| Garraway | Atlantic fishing; cross-county trade (Maryland border); offshore maritime labour | Atlantic Ocean fisheries; coastal land; agricultural land |
| Barclayville | County capital commerce; government services; Barclayville market | Agricultural land; coastal proximity; forest products |
| Trenbo | Atlantic fishing; coastal and hinterland agriculture | Atlantic fisheries; agricultural land; forest products |
| Dorbor | Subsistence agriculture; forest resources; coastal-hinterland corridor trade | Tropical forest; agricultural land; timber |
| Gee | Subsistence farming; coastal-hinterland linkage | Agricultural land; forest products; river fisheries |
| Forpoh | Subsistence farming; forest products; artisanal activities | Tropical forest; agricultural land |
| Dweh | Subsistence farming; forest products | Tropical forest; agricultural land |
| Felo-Jekwi | Subsistence farming; stable agricultural community | Agricultural land; forest products |
| Upper / Lower Jloh | Subsistence farming; river fisheries | Agricultural land; forest products; river fisheries |
| Buan | Subsistence farming; forest resources | Agricultural land; timber; forest products |
| Nrokwia-Wesldow | Subsistence farming; forest resources | Forest products; agricultural land |
| Penicess | Subsistence farming; proximity to Barclayville commerce | Agricultural land; coastal proximity |
| Bleebo / Fenetoe / Wlogba / Bolloh / Kpi | Subsistence farming; forest products; artisanal activities | Tropical forest; agricultural land; potential minerals |
Natural Resources of Grand Kru County
2022 Housing and Population Census: Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Final Results, Table B: Population Distribution by County, Administrative District, and Sex (Grand Kru County, 19 districts). Published June 2023. lisgis.gov.lr Note: Lower Jloh female figure corrected arithmetically from typographical error (1,005 → 1,805).
2022 LISGIS Village-Level Enumeration Survey, Grand Kru County: Clans, Towns/Villages, Population by Sex and Household Head. Source file: liberia_2022_pop_clans_villages_towns.xlsx, Sheet: Grand Kru. Note: survey uses "Barclayville" for Barclayville-Penicess combined; "Buah" for Buan District. Enumeration totals differ from LISGIS Table B official district totals due to different geographic aggregation methods.
2008 National Population and Housing Census: LISGIS, Grand Kru County Total: 57,106
National Elections Commission (NEC), Republic of Liberia: Electoral Districts & Eligible Voter Registrants Summary Report, 2023. necliberia.org
People's Redemption Council Decree No. 87 (1984): Grand Kru County Establishment Act; Republic of Liberia: Ministry of Internal Affairs; National Archives of Liberia
Grand Kru County Administration: Official County Publications; County Development Agenda (CDA)
LiberiaData.com: Districts Introduction | Grand Kru County
Wikipedia: Grand Kru County; Grand Kru-1; Grand Kru-2; Jonathan F. Koffa. Grokipedia: Grand Kru County (January 2026).