Population (General)
Until the results of the national census are published in 2008, we rely on older estimates. Prior to the war, the 1984 census placed the population of the area of Lower Lofa that eventually became Gbarpolu at 131,227, while a projection by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Systems (LISGIS) estimated the population at 120,739 people. Households in Gbarpolu County are said to have an average size of 5.49 persons, higher than the national average of 5.6. The County’s dependency ratio is 1.20. Households are headed primarily by men (91%), again higher than the national average of 87%. Elder-headed households account for some 8%, about the same as the national average.

Demographic Indicators

County	HH size	Dependency ratio	Sex of HH head		Elderly headed
			Male	Female	households
Gbarpolu	4.9	1.2	91%	9%	8%
Liberia	5.6	1.37	87%	13%	8%

Source: Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey, October 2006.

Ethnic Composition
The Kpelle form the majority ethnic group, with Belle and Gola making the next two largest groups. Kpelle and Gola are the main dialects spoken in the County.

Percentage Distribution of Dialects Spoken

                                                   Language and Dialects Spoken

	Bassa	Gbandi	Gio	Gola	Grebo	Kissi	Kpelle	Krahn	Kru	Lorma	Mano	Vai	Sapo	Other
Gbarpolu	0%	1%	6%	31%	1%	2%	53%	0%	0%	1%	1%	0%	0%	4%
Liberia	18%	2%	7%	6%	9%	4%	26%	4%	3%	7%	7%	4%	1%	1%

Source: Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey, October 2006.