Who Lives in the Bahamas and Where

BAHAMAS · POPULATION

The Bahamas is a small island nation that is growing slowly. This guide explains who lives there, where and in what numbers.

This guide explains who lives in the Bahamas, how many they are and where they live. The 2022 census, the latest, counted 398,165 people.

Race and birthplace figures come from the 2010 census, because 2022 tables on them were not found. The Bahamian dollar is pegged one to one to the US dollar, so no conversion is needed.

The Rio Times Bahamas page covers the country daily, and the Bahamas Explained guide profiles its government and economy. For the power map, read the Bahamas politics guide.

Bahamas Population: Size and Growth

The Bahamas National Statistical Institute counted 398,165 residents on Census Day, 4 April 2022, with fieldwork running to 31 October. The institute is the national statistics office, and it used online, telephone and tablet interviews.

Prime Minister Philip Davis now leads the government, after his Progressive Liberal Party won the 12 May 2026 election. His remarks on being sworn in are dated 14 May 2026.

The 2010 census counted 351,461 people, so the population rose by 46,704, or 13.3%. Women were 206,498 of the 2022 total, or 51.9%, and men 191,667.

Annual growth slowed from 1.6% in 2010 to 1.2% in 2022. Net migration, the difference between people arriving and leaving, rose 73% against 2010.

The World Bank, using United Nations estimates, puts the population at 403,033 in 2025, growing 0.44% a year. That is a modelled estimate, not a count.

The World Bank’s 2024 figures show 10.8 births and 8.8 deaths per 1,000 people. It also estimates 1.37 births per woman.

Where Bahamians Live: Islands and Cities

New Providence, the island of Nassau, had 296,732 residents in 2022, about 75% of the nation and up 20.5% since 2010. Its density is 3,709 people per square mile, against 74.0 nationally.

Grand Bahama, the second island, had 46,740 people, down 9.0% from 51,368. Abaco had 16,695, down 3.1%.

The US National Hurricane Center records that Category 5 Hurricane Dorian hit Abaco and Grand Bahama on 1 and 2 September 2019. The census figures shown here do not say how much of the decline came from the storm.

Eleuthera grew 11.0% to 9,104 and Andros 2.7% to 7,695. The Berry Islands grew fastest at 24.2%, though from only 1,002 people.

Long Island fell 12.2% to 2,718 and San Salvador 12.9% to 819. Ragged Island fell 22.2% to 56 people and Mayaguana 26.7% to 203.

All other islands beyond the three largest hold 37,998 people, or 9.5%. The World Bank estimates the urban share at 81.3% in 2025.

Age, Households and Family Size

The median age rose from 29.4 in 2010 to 33.0 in 2022. Children under 15 fell from 26.8% to 22.5% of residents.

People aged 15 to 64 rose to 70.5% and those 65 and older to 7.0%, or 27,726 people. The census found 35 people aged 100 or more, up from 27 in 2010.

There were 119,138 households in 2022, up 15.8%, and the average household had 3.3 people. That compares with 3.4 people in 2010.

The census listed 144,128 dwellings, of which 24,990 were vacant. Vacant homes rose 5.8% since 2010, while total dwellings rose 13.9%.

Life expectancy at birth was 74.7 years in 2024, the World Bank estimates. Its modelled age shares differ from the census, so this guide uses census figures.

Ethnic Groups of the Bahamas

The census asks residents to name their racial group, and the 2010 results are the last full set found. Of 351,461 residents, 318,493 (90.6%) were Black, 16,598 (4.7%) White and 7,394 (2.1%) of mixed Black and White ancestry.

Smaller groups were 2,036 Black and other, 1,263 White and other, 1,429 Asian, 875 East Indian and 956 other races. Another 2,417 did not state a race.

In the first official census in 1722, 74% of residents were White and 26% Black. Three centuries later 91% identified as Black, the statistics office notes.

Spanish slave traders took the native Lucayans to Hispaniola’s mines, and all perished within 25 years, a State Department note says. Colonists loyal to Britain settled in the islands during the American Revolution, the same note says.

The Bahamas gained full independence within the Commonwealth on 10 July 1973. A 2012 State Department estimate by heritage gave 85% African, 12% European and 3% Asian or Hispanic.

Migration and the Haitian Community

The 2010 census counted 51,170 foreign-born residents, 14.6% of the population. Of them, 23,932 were born in Haiti, 8,382 in the United States and 6,508 in Jamaica.

Britain accounted for 1,728 and Canada for 1,359. About 92% of foreign-born residents lived on New Providence, Grand Bahama or Abaco.

The United Nations’ count of international migrants, shown by the World Bank, was 67,285 in 2024, or 16.8% of residents. That compares with 54,745 in 2010.

Haitians form the largest immigrant community, a 2012 State Department note says. It put undocumented Haitians at 30,000 to 60,000, an estimate that is now dated.

Bahamian citizens numbered 290,725 in 2010, about 83% of residents, and 95.6% of them were born in the Bahamas. The 2022 census tables on nationality and place of birth were not found.

Language and Religion

English is the official language, and Creole is also spoken, the State Department note says. The statistics office printed some 2010 census posters and leaflets in Creole.

Baptists were the largest religious group in 2022, with 135,875 people or 34.1% of residents. Anglicans had 47,456 (11.9%), non-denominational Christians 35,296 (8.9%) and Roman Catholics 34,749 (8.7%).

Baptists grew 10.9% since 2010, while Anglicans fell 1.1%, non-denominational Christians 14.4% and Catholics 17.8%. Percentages here are shares of all 398,165 residents, calculated for this guide.

In 2010 Baptists held 34.9%, Anglicans 13.7%, Catholics 12.0% and other Christian groups 11.7%. The census shows the never-married rising 18.2% and the divorced 16.3% between 2010 and 2022.

Islands Gaining and Losing People

New Providence added 50,403 people since 2010, while Grand Bahama lost 4,628. Abaco lost 529 people over the same period.

Eleuthera added about 900 people and the Berry Islands about 200. Long Island, San Salvador, Ragged Island and Mayaguana together lost about 590.

What It Means for US Readers

About 8,400 residents in 2010 were born in the United States, the census shows. That made Americans the second largest group of foreign-born residents after Haitians.

The State Department rates the Bahamas Level 2, exercise increased caution, because of crime, as of 27 July 2026. It says most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport, and boating is not well regulated.

Running a fishing boat or charter without a licence can bring a fine of up to US$100,000 and three years in prison. The licence comes from the Bahamas Port Department, and police have detained American boaters and seized their vessels.

Employers and investors should note that net migration rose 73% against 2010. With a median age of 33.0 and 1.37 births per woman, labour supply may keep leaning on newcomers.

For daily life, read the Rio Times guide to safety for expats in the Bahamas and the Bahamas economy guide. The Bahamas in the Caribbean explainer places the country among its neighbours.

What Is Not Known

The 2022 census race, nationality, birthplace and language tables were not found, so ethnic and migrant shares come from 2010. The Haitian population today is not known, and the 2012 estimate of 30,000 to 60,000 is dated.

The number of Bahamians living abroad was not found in any official source. Nor was an official urban and rural split for the 2022 census.

The 2022 net migration level was not confirmed, only its 73% rise. The World Bank’s age shares for 2025 differ widely from the census, so they were left out.

No official projection of the population to 2030 was found. Undocumented residents are hard to count in any census.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of the Bahamas?

The 2022 census counted 398,165 residents. The World Bank estimates 403,033 for 2025.

What are the main ethnic groups in the Bahamas?

In the 2010 census, 90.6% of residents were Black, 4.7% White and 2.1% of mixed Black and White ancestry. Smaller groups include Asian, East Indian and other residents.

What language do people speak in the Bahamas?

English is the official language, and Creole is also spoken. The statistics office printed some 2010 census materials in Creole.

What religion is most common in the Bahamas?

Baptist is the largest, with 135,875 people in 2022. Anglicans, non-denominational Christians and Roman Catholics follow.

How many Haitians live in the Bahamas?

No current census count was found. A 2012 US State Department note put undocumented Haitians at 30,000 to 60,000.

Where do most Bahamians live?

About 75% live on New Providence, the island of Nassau. Grand Bahama is second with 46,740 people.

Is the Bahamas population growing?

Yes, slowly. It rose 13.3% from 2010 to 2022, and net migration rose 73% against 2010.

Sources: Bahamas National Statistical Institute, 2022 Census Report, first release (hosted by the CARICOM statistics programme); Bahamas Department of Statistics, 2010 Census first release report; Bahamas Department of Statistics, 2010 Census International Migration report; World Bank Data API, The Bahamas (population, fertility, migrant stock, urban share, exchange rate; updated 8 October 2026); US National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Dorian report; Office of the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, remarks on being sworn in (14 May 2026); US State Department, Background Note: The Bahamas (25 January 2012, archived); US State Department, travel advisories data feed, The Bahamas Level 2 (27 July 2026).