León Province, Spain
León province, in Castile and León, is home to 446,771 people in 211 municipalities covering 6,015 sq mi. Its capital, León, sits at 2,723 ft (830 m), and its highest point is Torre Cerredo, at 8,691 ft (2,649 m).
- Population (2025)
- 446,771
- −6.8% since 2015
- Area
- 6,015 sq mi
- 7th largest of the 50 provinces
- Density
- 74 people/sq mi
- Spain: 251 people/sq mi
- Municipalities
- 211
- 153 with fewer than 1,000 people
Map of León province by municipality
- Capital
- Municipality with an elevation page
- Elevation page (color shows elevation)
- Highest point and peaks
Population and municipalities
With 446,771 people on January 1, 2025, León province ranks 33rd by population and 7th by area among Spain’s 50 provinces. Since 2015 it has lost 32,624 people (6.8%). Density is 74 people/sq mi, against a Spanish average of 251 people/sq mi.
The capital, León, has 123,446 residents, 28% of the province. Next come Ponferrada (63,186), San Andrés del Rabanedo (29,944), and Villaquilambre (18,905).
Of its 211 municipalities (the 16th most of any province), 153 have fewer than 1,000 people. The smallest by population is Escobar de Campos, with 32, and the largest by area is Truchas, at 116 sq mi.
| Municipality | Population | Area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| León | 123,446 | 15.1 sq mi | 2,723 ft |
| Ponferrada | 63,186 | 109 sq mi | 1,781 ft |
| San Andrés del Rabanedo | 29,944 | 25.0 sq mi | — |
| Villaquilambre | 18,905 | 20.3 sq mi | — |
| Astorga | 10,305 | 18.1 sq mi | — |
| La Bañeza | 10,195 | 7.61 sq mi | — |
| Bembibre | 8,041 | 24.5 sq mi | — |
| Valverde de la Virgen | 7,936 | 24.6 sq mi | — |
| Villablino | 7,585 | 88.1 sq mi | — |
| Sariegos | 5,456 | 14.0 sq mi | — |
Elevation
The capital, León, sits 2,723 ft (830 m) above sea level, the 7th highest of Spain’s 52 provincial capitals and autonomous cities.
According to the IGN’s summit table, the highest point in León province is Torre Cerredo, at 8,691 ft (2,649 m), in the Picos de Europa, on the border with Asturias. It’s 55 mi from the capital in a straight line and 5,968 ft higher.
Besides the capital, one city over 50,000 people has its own elevation page: Ponferrada (1,781 ft).
Peaks with a page in León province or on its border: Torre Cerredo (8,691 ft), Torre Blanca (8,586 ft), and Teleno (7,162 ft).
- Torre Cerredo 8,691 ft
- Torre Blanca 8,586 ft
- Teleno 7,162 ft
- León 2,723 ft
- Ponferrada 1,781 ft
Castile and León
León is one of the 9 provinces of Castile and León, along with Ávila, Burgos, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid, and Zamora. See Castile and León: its provinces, population and peaks.
Tools and maps
Frequently asked questions
How many municipalities are in León province?
211. That ranks 16th among Spain’s provinces, and 153 of them have fewer than 1,000 people.
What is the population of León province?
446,771, according to the INE’s municipal register on January 1, 2025: the 33rd most populous province in Spain.
What is the highest point in León province?
Torre Cerredo, at 8,691 ft (2,649 m), according to the IGN’s summit table. It’s shared with Asturias.
What is the elevation of León?
2,723 ft (830 m) above sea level, according to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN).
What is the largest town in León province after the capital?
Ponferrada, with 63,186 people. Next is San Andrés del Rabanedo, with 29,944.
Sources
- Population: our own work with data from the INE website (www.ine.es), municipal register on January 1, 2025 (updated 12/11/2025).
- Area, municipal boundaries, elevations and highest point: Spain’s National Geographic Institute, IGN (CC BY 4.0 ign.es). Simplified boundaries.
- Position of peaks with a page: OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Reviewed October 31, 2026 · Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know