Population (General) Estimates of the population of Grand Bassa County range from 332,064 (Measles Campaign 2006, Ministry of Health) to 200,556 (Norwegian Refugee Council – NRC, January 2007) to 182,937 (Ministry of Rural Development/UNICEF Village Profile, 2005). While the figures collected during the CDA workshops and included in the annexes indicate that the population size is closer to the higher estimates, all data are considered rough calculations pending completion of the 2008 national census. Most of the population appears to be concentrated around Buchanan and in Gorblee District, which is part of Wee Statutory District.

The average household size has been measured at 4.8 persons, quite small comparing with other counties in southeastern Liberia. The County has a dependency ratio of 1.33, lower than the national dependency ratio of 1.37. As in the rest of Liberia, households are overwhelmingly male-dominated, at 87%.

Demographic Indicators

County	HH size	Dependency Ratio	Sex of	HH head	Elderly headed households
			Male	Female	-
Grand Bassa	4.8	1.33	87%	13%	10%
Liberia	5.6	1.37	87%	13%	8%

Other Population Figures
The Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with UNICEF conducted a village profile assessment between September 2004 and January 2005, wherein Grand Bassa’s population was estimated at 182,937 persons.

Population per District

District	Population
District # 1	42975
District # 2	28616
District # 3	65666
District # 4	14245
St. John River	17014
Owensgrove	14242
Total	182937

Source: Ministry of Rural Development/UNICEF Village Profile, 2005

The following population table is extracted from the Norwegian Refugee Council Needs Assessment report, “Returnees Monitoring Program” conducted in 2005. Figures contained here are solely based on what was reported by enumerators from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

Population Data by Gender

		Population	by gender	Population	gender percentage
Statutory District	Total	Female	Male	Female	Male
Owensgrove	15434	7492	8171	48.54%	52.94%
District #01	21089	10706	10383	50.77%	49.23%
District #02	29516	14477	15039	49.05%	50.95%
District #03	88278	43732	44546	49.54%	50.46%
District #04	31365	14951	16293	47.67%	51.95%
St.John River	14874	7377	7497	49.60%	50.40%
Total	200556	98735	101929	49.23%	50.82%

Source: Norwegian Refugee Council, January 2007

Ethnic Composition
Bassa-speaking people are in the majority, making up 94% of the County’s population. Other ethnic groups in the County include the Kpelle (5%), and the Kissi (1%), and small numbers of other groups. The Kru, often originating from neighboring Sinoe County, and Fanti fishermen and traders are also a part of the population.

Percentage Distribution of Dialects Spoken
                                                                         Language and Dialects Spoken

County	Bassa	Gbandi	Gio	Gola	Grebo	Kissi	Kpelle	Krahn	Kru	Lorma	Mano	Vai	Sapo	Other
Grand Bassa	94%	0%	0%	0%	0%	1%	5%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
Liberia	18%	2%	7%	6%	9%	4%	26%	4%	3%	7%	7%	4%	N/A	1%