South Aceh Regency is a regency in the Aceh province of Indonesia. It is located on the west coast of the island of Sumatra. The regency covers an area of 4,173.82 square kilometres and had a population of 202,251 at the 2010 Census, 224,588 in 2015 and 232,414 at the 2020 Census; the official population estimate in mid-2023 was 239,475 (comprising 120,187 males and 119,288 females). Its population density was thus inhabitants/km2 at the 2010 census, inhabitants/km2 in 2015, inhabitants/km2 at the 2020 census, and inhabitants/km2 in mid-2023. The seat of the regency government is at Tapaktuan.

Demography

While some 60% of the Regency's population are ethically Achinese, some 30% of the people of the regency are Minangkabau-descended Aneuk Jamee and about 10% are ethnically Kluet people.

History

South Aceh Regency was originally created on 14 November 1956 from the former southeastern districts of West Aceh Regency. On 20 April 1999 its own southeastern districts were in turn split off to create a separate Aceh Singkil Regency, and it was further reduced in size on 10 April 2002 by further districts in the northwest of the regency being split off to create a Southwest Aceh Regency.

Administrative districts

At the time of the 2010 Census, the regency was divided administratively into sixteen districts (kecamatan). Later in 2010, two additional districts (Trumon Tengah and Kota Bahagia) were carved out of the existing districts. The districts are listed below with their areas and populations at the 2010 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates for mid-2023. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages (gampong) in each district, and its postal codes. Note: (a) including small offshore islands including Pulau Trumon. (b) The 2010 population of Trumon Tengah District is included in the 2010 figure for Trumon Timur District, from which it was split. (c) The Trumon area which forms the southern 28% of the Regency is adjacent to the city of Subulussalam to the east. (d) including offshore island of Pulau Kayee. (e) The 2010 population of Kota Bahagia District is included in the 2010 figure for Bakongan District, from which it was split. (f) including offshore island of Pulau Batukapal.