La Union
La Union is a coastal province in the Ilocos Region (Region I) in Northern Luzon, Philippines. It covers about 1,499.28 square kilometers and is composed of 1 component city, 19 municipalities, and 576 barangays. The capital of the province is San Fernando City, which also serves as the regional center of Region I. The name 'La Union,' which means 'The Union' in Spanish, was given in 1850 when towns from the provinces of Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Benguet were merged to form a single province.
HISTORY
La Union was officially created as a province on March 2, 1850 by virtue of a Royal Decree issued by the Spanish colonial government. Its name, which means 'The Union' in Spanish, was chosen to reflect the merging of towns from three neighboring provinces: Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Benguet. During the Spanish period, La Union played an important role as a center of trade and missionary work, particularly with the Augustinian friars spreading Christianity in the region. Under American rule in the early 1900s, the province underwent administrative reorganization, and its capital, San Fernando, was further developed as the political and economic hub. In World War II, La Union became a site of fierce battles, including the landing of Japanese forces in 1941 and later the liberation campaigns by Filipino and American soldiers in 1945. After the war, La Union rebuilt itself and gradually became known for agriculture, coastal trade, and later, its reputation as a prime surfing and tourist destination, particularly in San Juan.
QUICK FACTS | |
| Population (2024) | 825,072 |
| Land Area (sq.km) | 1,499.28 |
| No. of Households | 205,034 |
| Average Household Size | 4 |
| Registered Voters | 554,274 |
| Major Landmark | Ma-Cho Temple |
| Coastal Access | Yes |
| Elevation (above sea level) | 108 meters |
Map
La Union is located in the Ilocos Region (Region I) in the northwestern part of Luzon. It is bounded by Ilocos Sur, Benguet, Pangasinan, and the West Philippine Sea.
MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA
La Union has 19 municipalities, 1 city and 576 barangays.
| name | type | barangay_count | population_2020 | population_2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agoo | Municipality | 49 | 66028 | 65256 |
| Aringay | Municipality | 24 | 50380 | 50786 |
| Bacnotan | Municipality | 47 | 44388 | 45203 |
| Bagulin | Municipality | 10 | 14428 | 14434 |
| Balaoan | Municipality | 36 | 40339 | 40440 |
| Bangar | Municipality | 33 | 38041 | 38190 |
| Bauang | Municipality | 39 | 78449 | 77670 |
| Burgos | Municipality | 12 | 9006 | 9121 |
| Caba | Municipality | 17 | 23119 | 23432 |
| Luna | Municipality | 40 | 37318 | 38076 |
| Naguilian | Municipality | 37 | 52819 | 53443 |
| Pugo | Municipality | 14 | 19337 | 19107 |
| Rosario | Municipality | 33 | 60278 | 58796 |
| City of San Fernando | City (Capital) | 59 | 125640 | 124809 |
| San Gabriel | Municipality | 15 | 18943 | 18579 |
| San Juan | Municipality | 41 | 40450 | 41319 |
| Santo Tomas | Municipality | 24 | 40846 | 42777 |
| Santol | Municipality | 11 | 14166 | 14874 |
| Sudipen | Municipality | 17 | 17187 | 16888 |
| Tubao | Municipality | 18 | 31763 | 31868 |
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population by Age Group (2020)
Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group is 10–14, with 75,521 individuals, followed closely by those aged 15–19 years (75,169) and 20–24 years (72,716). In contrast, the smallest population is found in the 75–79 years, with only 9,742 individuals.
| age | population_2020 |
|---|---|
| 10–14 | 75521 |
| 15–19 | 75169 |
| 20–24 | 72716 |
| 75–79 | 9742 |
Population by Gender (2020)
In 2020, La Union’s population was composed of 50.62% males and 49.38% females.
ECONOMY
Agriculture
From 2018 to 2023, crop production in La Union fluctuated but showed an overall increase, rising from 6,231 in 2018 to 7,278 in 2023. Livestock production declined from 2,735 in 2018 to its lowest level of 1,595 in 2021, before recovering to 2,534 in 2023. Poultry production displayed steady growth, starting at 1,765 in 2018 and reaching a peak of 3,359 in 2022, though it slightly declined to 3,159 in 2023. Meanwhile, fisheries production showed consistent growth, increasing from 1,198 in 2018 to 2,582 in 2022, with a minor decrease to 2,471 in 2023.
| title | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Crops | 7350 | 7278 |
| Livestock | 2100 | 2534 |
| Poultry | 3359 | 3159 |
| Fisheries | 2582 | 2471 |