ⓘ Data source note: Population figures (stat cards and district table) are from the 2022 LISGIS Census, Table B, the official county district totals. The 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey (field census) uses two separate sheets for Montserrado: Urban Montserrado and Rural Montserrado. The urban sheet consolidates all urban township communities under a single entry labelled "Greater Montserrado": it does not enumerate Paynesville, Garglohn, Caldwell, Congo Town or other urban districts separately. Only four rural districts appear as standalone entries in the survey: St. Paul River (26 clans, 298 towns/villages), Todee (8 clans, 380 towns/villages), Careysburg (6 clans, 231 towns/villages) and Commonwealth (covering Johnsonville Township and Louisana Township; 2 clans, 90 towns/villages). The remaining 10 urban administrative districts, Paynesville, Greater Monrovia, Gardnersville, Garglohn, Caldwell, New Georgia, Congo Town, New Kru Town, Barnersville and West Point, are absent from the enumeration survey as standalone entries. Enumeration totals differ from LISGIS Table B official totals due to different geographic aggregation methods.
For the full county profile, including year of establishment, capital, area, borders, flag, climate and complete county overview, see the Montserrado County page. Montserrado holds 36.6% of Liberia's entire national population, more than 1 in 3 Liberians lives in this county. It is by far the most populous and most densely settled county in Liberia.
Administrative Districts Population Overview
| Admin District | Male | Male % | Female | Female % | Total | % of County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paynesville Township | 298,858 | 48.4% | 318,634 | 51.6% | 617,492 | 32.1% |
| St. Paul River | 85,174 | 49.4% | 87,210 | 50.6% | 172,384 | 9.0% |
| Greater Monrovia | 81,659 | 50.4% | 80,232 | 49.6% | 161,891 | 8.4% |
| Gardnersville Township | 62,270 | 48.8% | 65,296 | 51.2% | 127,566 | 6.6% |
| Garglohn Township | 63,432 | 50.2% | 62,849 | 49.8% | 126,281 | 6.6% |
| Johnsonville Township | 54,642 | 48.4% | 58,285 | 51.6% | 112,927 | 5.9% |
| Caldwell Township | 54,055 | 48.2% | 58,111 | 51.8% | 112,166 | 5.8% |
| New Georgia Township | 49,017 | 49.1% | 50,828 | 50.9% | 99,845 | 5.2% |
| Congo Town Township | 44,161 | 48.2% | 47,471 | 51.8% | 91,632 | 4.8% |
| Borough of New Kru Town | 35,724 | 49.8% | 36,015 | 50.2% | 71,739 | 3.7% |
| Barnersville Township | 31,254 | 47.7% | 34,239 | 52.3% | 65,493 | 3.4% |
| Careysburg | 27,611 | 49.9% | 27,673 | 50.1% | 55,284 | 2.9% |
| Todee | 25,754 | 52.2% | 23,607 | 47.8% | 49,361 | 2.6% |
| West Point Township | 15,915 | 51.6% | 14,932 | 48.4% | 30,847 | 1.6% |
| Louisana Township | 13,033 | 50.1% | 13,024 | 49.9% | 26,057 | 1.4% |
| Total | 942,559 | 49.1% | 978,406 | 50.9% | 1,920,965 | 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: 1,920,965. Paynesville Township alone accounts for 32.1% of the county population, the single largest administrative district in Liberia.
District Profiles
Population figures (LISGIS, grey pill) are from the 2022 LISGIS Census, Table B, the official county district totals. Clans and towns/villages data are from the 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey (field census) where available. Montserrado is almost entirely urban: 10 of its 15 administrative districts are wholly urban and absent from the rural enumeration survey as standalone entries. Only Todee, Careysburg, St. Paul River and Commonwealth (covering Johnsonville and Louisana townships) appear in the survey. Twelve of the 15 districts have female majorities; only Greater Monrovia (50.4% male), Todee (52.2% male) and West Point Township (51.6% male) have male majorities.
The most populous administrative district in Liberia, Paynesville is the largest city in the country by population, holding 32.1% of Montserrado County and 11.8% of Liberia's entire national population. An urban municipality northeast of Monrovia connected via Red Light junction, Paynesville encompasses communities such as Red Light, Salvation Army, Somalia Drive, GSA Road, ELWA Junction, and extends to the Margibi County border. Female majority: 51.6%. Covered by EDs 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
A large peri-urban and rural district extending along the St. Paul River corridor northwest of Monrovia. Includes rapidly growing communities such as Duport Road, Chocolate City, and Kpalla. Female majority: 50.6%. Covered entirely by Electoral District 17, which had 73,153 registered voters in 2023, the largest ED in Montserrado by electorate. The St. Paul River (563 km) is Liberia's longest river and forms the county's northwestern boundary with Bomi County. The district has the richest clan and settlement data of any Montserrado district in the 2022 LISGIS survey: 26 clans and 298 towns/villages enumerated.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kpalla | 1 | 8,888 | 9,751 | 18,639 |
| Geyway | 1 | 4,492 | 4,946 | 9,438 |
| Gbarteah | 1 | 2,465 | 2,584 | 5,049 |
| Mango | 2 | 2,278 | 2,287 | 4,565 |
| Kai | 2 | 1,905 | 1,965 | 3,870 |
| Kpor | 18 | 1,387 | 1,455 | 2,842 |
| Royesville | 20 | 984 | 1,007 | 1,991 |
| Kaivah | 16 | 957 | 1,029 | 1,986 |
| Vonzon | 14 | 719 | 813 | 1,532 |
| Memeh | 8 | 669 | 724 | 1,393 |
| Kpey | 18 | 673 | 718 | 1,391 |
| Gbarveah | 33 | 727 | 654 | 1,381 |
| Bassa Tribal | 24 | 485 | 417 | 902 |
| Sundufu | 11 | 418 | 377 | 795 |
| Kaikpu | 13 | 325 | 323 | 648 |
| Gbondoi | 15 | 268 | 274 | 542 |
| Barcon | 14 | 266 | 272 | 538 |
| Arthington | 8 | 276 | 247 | 523 |
| Jahfah | 6 | 266 | 232 | 498 |
| Millsburg | 7 | 251 | 200 | 451 |
| Lower Brewerville | 8 | 221 | 220 | 441 |
| Neekon | 12 | 200 | 204 | 404 |
| Dillon | 10 | 209 | 174 | 383 |
| Moiwah | 15 | 186 | 168 | 354 |
| Luneh | 14 | 134 | 157 | 291 |
| Bondodee | 7 | 90 | 104 | 194 |
| District Total | 298 | 29,739 | 31,302 | 61,041 |
Enumeration total: 61,041 across 26 clans and 298 towns/villages. The three largest clans, Kpalla (18,639), Geyway (9,438) and Gbarteah (5,049), together account for 54% of the enumerated population and each appear as a single large settlement. Official LISGIS district total: 172,384. The significant gap between enumeration (61,041) and LISGIS Table B (172,384) reflects the survey's rural focus; much of the district's large population resides in the dense peri-urban corridor (Duport Road, Chocolate City) that was separately captured in the urban sheet.
5 Largest Settlements (Enumeration):
The urban core of Monrovia, Liberia's capital city and seat of national government. Contains Capitol Hill (Legislature), Mamba Point (embassies), Sinkor (residential and commercial), and the central business district. The only district in Montserrado's urban core with a male majority: 50.4% male / 49.6% female, reflecting the concentration of government workers, professionals and security personnel. Covered by EDs 7, 8, and 9. The 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey groups all urban Montserrado communities, including Greater Monrovia, under a single "Greater Montserrado" urban entry; no standalone clan or town enumeration exists for this district.
A major suburban township east of Monrovia along the Robertsfield Highway corridor. Home to the Chicken Soup Factory, Stephen Tolbert Estate, Kesselly Boulevard, and Shoe Factory communities. Female majority: 51.2%. Covered by parts of ED 11, ED 12, and ED 13. Absent from the 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey as a standalone district, captured in the urban sheet under "Greater Montserrado."
Also written Garwolon in some sources. A large township west of central Monrovia encompassing communities including Vai Town, Clara Town, Logan Town, and Blamo Town. Near gender parity: 50.2% male / 49.8% female. Covered by ED 13 (Stockton Creek and Jamaica Road communities), ED 14 (southern half: Vai Town, Clara Town), and ED 15 (northern half: Logan Town, Blamo Town, Gbandi Town). Absent from the enumeration survey as a standalone district.
Located northeast of Monrovia along the Monrovia–Gbarnga highway. A rapidly growing peri-urban township. Female majority: 51.6%. Covered by parts of ED 11 and ED 12. In the 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey, Johnsonville Township communities appear within a "Commonwealth" district entry (alongside Louisana Township) under the "Johnsonville Township" clan grouping: 37 towns/villages, enumerated population 6,231.
| Clan / Group | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnsonville Township | 37 | 2,971 | 3,260 | 6,231 |
| Township Total | 37 | 2,971 | 3,260 | 6,231 |
Enumeration total: 6,231 across 37 town/village entries under the "Johnsonville Township" clan grouping within the "Commonwealth" survey district. Note: This enumeration figure (6,231) captures only the outer, peri-urban fringe communities of Johnsonville; the majority of the township's 112,927 LISGIS population resides in dense urban areas captured in the urban sheet under "Greater Montserrado." Official LISGIS district total: 112,927.
5 Largest Settlements (Enumeration):
Located north of central Monrovia. Key communities include Caldwell Market, Upper Caldwell, Dixville, Samukai Town, and Cassava Hill. Female majority: 51.8%. Split between ED 11 (eastern: Caldwell Market, Upper Caldwell, Dixville Water Side, Samukai Town, Cassava Hill) and ED 15 (western: Caldwell Community, Central Caldwell). Absent from the enumeration survey as a standalone district, captured in the urban sheet.
Located east of central Monrovia near the Duala market corridor. Includes New Georgia, Old Road, and adjacent communities. Female majority: 50.9%. Covered primarily by Electoral District 13 alongside St. Michael community of Gardnersville and Stockton Creek and Jamaica Road communities of Garglohn. Absent from the enumeration survey as a standalone district.
A densely populated residential township west of central Monrovia. Communities include Congo Town, Pagos Island, and Swankamore. Female majority: 51.8%, the joint strongest female majority in the county alongside Caldwell Township. Covered by Electoral District 10 (excluding Pagos Island and Swankamore). Absent from the enumeration survey as a standalone district.
A coastal borough west of central Monrovia, home to one of Liberia's most historically significant Kru fishing communities. Near gender parity: 50.2% female / 49.8% male. Covered entirely by Electoral District 16. The community has maintained a strong Kru cultural identity tied to fishing and maritime tradition for generations. Absent from the enumeration survey as a standalone district.
Located northeast of Monrovia. The district with the strongest female majority in Montserrado County: 52.3% female / 47.7% male. Communities include Barnersville and Johnsonville Road settlements. Covered by parts of ED 11 (all Barnersville communities except Johnsonville Road A) and ED 12 (Johnsonville Road A community). Absent from the enumeration survey as a standalone district.
A peri-urban district approximately 35 km north of Monrovia, historically significant as one of Liberia's earliest ACS-era settlements. Near gender parity: 50.1% female / 49.9% male. Covered by Electoral District 1 (together with Todee District). ED 1 Representative: Rugie Yatu Barry (CPP, 2023). The 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey captures Careysburg across 6 clans: Kingsville Township, Careyburg City, Bensonville City, Crozierville Township, Harrisburg, and White Plains Township, totalling 231 towns/villages.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsville Township | 33 | 5,046 | 5,029 | 10,075 |
| Careyburg City | 86 | 4,463 | 4,368 | 8,831 |
| Bensonville City | 46 | 1,642 | 1,570 | 3,212 |
| Crozierville Township | 25 | 1,227 | 1,094 | 2,321 |
| Harrisburg | 17 | 623 | 612 | 1,235 |
| White Plains Township | 24 | 533 | 512 | 1,045 |
| District Total | 231 | 13,534 | 13,185 | 26,719 |
Enumeration total: 26,719 across 6 clans and 231 towns/villages. The enumeration total (26,719) closely matches the LISGIS Table B figure (55,284 / 2 ≈ 27,642 per half) suggesting the survey captures the rural portions of the district. Careyburg City clan alone contains 86 town/village entries, the largest single clan in Careysburg by number of settlements. Official LISGIS district total: 55,284.
5 Largest Settlements (Enumeration):
Careysburg is one of Liberia's oldest American Colonization Society settlements, with Kingsville, Harrisburg, Crozierville and White Plains all named after American states or figures. The district's settlements are spread across a wide area north of Monrovia, with many small communities of 10–200 residents alongside larger township centres.
The most rural administrative district in Montserrado County, located in the interior north. The only district in Montserrado with a pronounced male majority: 52.2% male / 47.8% female, the highest male proportion in the county, consistent with a rural, farming-community demographic. Borders Bomi County to the northwest. Predominantly Kpelle-speaking communities engaged in subsistence farming and forest activities. Covered by Electoral District 1 alongside Careysburg. The 2022 LISGIS survey captures Todee across 8 clans and 380 towns/villages, the most individual settlement entries of any Montserrado district in the survey.
| Clan | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fahn-Seh | 58 | 4,906 | 4,755 | 9,661 |
| Pleemu | 43 | 2,125 | 2,027 | 4,152 |
| Nyehn | 46 | 1,667 | 1,558 | 3,225 |
| Marquoi | 80 | 1,484 | 1,305 | 2,789 |
| Mehn | 49 | 1,342 | 1,309 | 2,651 |
| Kpo | 52 | 1,206 | 1,152 | 2,358 |
| Ding | 38 | 959 | 860 | 1,819 |
| Mount Coffee Township | 14 | 677 | 499 | 1,176 |
| District Total | 380 | 14,366 | 13,465 | 27,831 |
Enumeration total: 27,831 across 8 clans and 380 towns/villages. The male majority in the enumeration data (51.6% male) is consistent with LISGIS Table B (52.2% male). Fahn-Seh is the largest clan by population (9,661) and by settlement count (58 towns). Marquoi has the most individual towns (80). Official LISGIS district total: 49,361.
5 Largest Settlements (Enumeration):
Todee is Montserrado's only genuinely rural district, with a settlement pattern of dispersed small farming villages across a wide forested area. Unlike the county's urban townships, Todee retains traditional clan-based governance structures. The district's 380 individual settlement entries are typical of a rural Liberian district; most towns have populations under 100. Morris Farm (2,376) is the largest settlement by a considerable margin. The nearby Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Dam, on the St. Paul River at the Todee/St. Paul River district boundary, supplies electricity to Monrovia.
West Point is one of West Africa's most densely populated urban settlements, a narrow peninsula at the northwestern tip of Monrovia, home to approximately 30,000 residents compressed into an area estimated at under 0.25 km². Male majority: 51.6% male / 48.4% female. Gained international attention in August 2014 when the Liberian government placed the community under military quarantine during the Ebola crisis. Covered by Electoral District 7 as part of the broader Greater Monrovia zone. Absent from the enumeration survey as a standalone district.
The smallest administrative district in Montserrado County by population. Near-perfect gender parity: 50.1% male / 49.9% female. Located west of Monrovia along the Atlantic coast, adjacent to the Freeport of Monrovia zone, as part of the Bushrod Island complex. In the 2022 LISGIS Enumeration Survey, Louisana communities appear within a "Commonwealth" district entry (alongside Johnsonville Township) under the "Lousana Township" clan grouping: 53 towns/villages, enumerated population 4,911.
| Clan / Group | Towns / Villages | Male | Female | Pop. (Enumeration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lousana Township | 53 | 2,421 | 2,490 | 4,911 |
| Township Total | 53 | 2,421 | 2,490 | 4,911 |
Enumeration total: 4,911 across 53 town/village entries under the "Lousana Township" clan grouping within the "Commonwealth" survey district. The enumeration captures the outer peri-urban and waterside fringe communities; the bulk of the township's 26,057 LISGIS population resides in the dense urban zone captured in the urban sheet. Official LISGIS district total: 26,057.
Top Settlements (Enumeration):
Administrative Districts vs. Electoral Districts
Montserrado operates two distinct district structures. Administrative Districts are used for governance and public administration; Electoral Districts are used for legislative representation. They do not share the same boundaries; Paynesville Township alone is split across five Electoral Districts, and Greater Monrovia spans three.
Headed by District Commissioners appointed by the President. Montserrado is overwhelmingly urban; only Todee has a traditional rural clan-based structure. Most urban districts are absent from the LISGIS rural enumeration survey.
Each elects one Representative to the House of Representatives. Total: 901,162 registered voters (NEC, July 2023). Montserrado's 17 EDs are the most of any county in Liberia, expanded from 9 EDs in the 2011 reapportionment. For full voter data, see the Montserrado County electoral section.
The full Registered Voter Population Overview by Electoral District (NEC, July 2023), including male/female split and Representatives, is county-level electoral data. See the complete breakdown on the Montserrado 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, Monrovia as Liberia's commercial capital, the Freeport, Roberts International Airport linkage, and financial sector, see the Montserrado County economy section.
| District | Key Economic Assets | Natural Resources / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Monrovia | National government; central banking (CBL); Roberts Street banking corridor; Mamba Point diplomatic quarter; courts and executive institutions | Service economy; institutional anchor for all county commerce |
| Paynesville Township | Red Light Market (one of West Africa's largest); ELWA Junction commercial nodes; wholesale distribution; peri-urban retail | Urban commercial land; high-density trade corridor to Margibi border |
| Caldwell Township | Industrial corridor north of Monrovia; Caldwell Market; Mesurado River fisheries; port-adjacent warehousing | Mesurado River; Atlantic tidal fisheries; industrial land |
| Louisana Township | Adjacent to Freeport of Monrovia; warehouse and freight handling; port logistics | Freeport land; Atlantic coastline; Bushrod Island industrial zone |
| St. Paul River | Duport Road corridor retail; LPRC petroleum storage; rapidly expanding informal commerce; agricultural hinterland | St. Paul River (563 km, longest in Liberia); Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Dam; agricultural land; forest resources |
| New Kru Town | Atlantic artisanal fishing; traditional fish market; Kru maritime economy | Atlantic Ocean; coastal fisheries; tidal flat resources |
| Gardnersville Twp. | Chicken Soup Factory industrial zone; Robertsfield Highway commercial strip; light manufacturing; warehousing | Robertsfield Highway corridor; peri-urban industrial land |
| Garglohn Township | Vai Town market; Clara Town informal economy; dense urban residential services | Urban residential land; Mesurado River proximity |
| Johnsonville Twp. | Monrovia–Gbarnga Highway commercial corridor; Johnsonville market; peri-urban services | Highway corridor land; agricultural peri-urban fringe |
| Congo Town Twp. | Duala Market proximity; Congo Town shopping corridor; urban residential services | Atlantic coastline; Pagos Island; urban residential land |
| New Georgia Twp. | Old Road commercial strip; Duala Market adjacency; residential services | Urban residential land; Stockton Creek area |
| Barnersville Twp. | Barnersville Road peri-urban commercial strip; highway-adjacent residential growth | Peri-urban agricultural fringe; highway land |
| West Point Twp. | Artisanal fishing; Atlantic fish market; informal economy; limited formal sector | Atlantic Ocean; coastal fisheries; tidal peninsula |
| Careysburg | Peri-urban farming; Kakata Road corridor services; ACS heritage tourism potential | Agricultural land; forest resources; St. Paul River watershed proximity |
| Todee | Subsistence agriculture; Mount Coffee Dam area; St. Paul River basin; forest products | St. Paul River; Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Dam; forest resources; agricultural land |
Key Economic Assets of Montserrado 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 (Montserrado County, 15 districts). Published June 2023. lisgis.gov.lr
2022 LISGIS Village-Level Enumeration Survey, Montserrado County: Clans, Towns/Villages, Population by Sex and Household Head. Source file: liberia_2022_pop_clans_villages_towns.xlsx, Sheets: Urban Montserrado and Rural Montserrado. Note: The Urban Montserrado sheet aggregates all urban township communities under a single "Greater Montserrado" entry, it does not enumerate Paynesville, Garglohn, Caldwell, Congo Town, New Georgia, Barnersville, Gardnersville, West Point, New Kru Town or Greater Monrovia townships as standalone district entries. The Rural Montserrado sheet contains standalone entries for four districts only: St. Paul River (26 clans, 298 towns), Todee (8 clans, 380 towns), Careysburg (6 clans, 231 towns) and Commonwealth (2 clan groups, 90 towns, covering Johnsonville Township and Louisana Township communities). Enumeration totals differ from LISGIS Table B official totals due to different geographic aggregation methods.
National Elections Commission (NEC), Republic of Liberia: Electoral Districts & Eligible Voter Registrants Summary Report, July 28, 2023. necliberia.org
Republic of Liberia: Ministry of Internal Affairs; Liberian Government Gazette (1847 County Establishment Act); National Archives of Liberia
LiberiaData.com: Districts Introduction | Montserrado County
Wikipedia: Montserrado County; Montserrado-1 through Montserrado-17; Paynesville; Monrovia; West Point. Grokipedia: Montserrado County (January 2026).