Who lives next door · 2021 census · 3,181 localities
Romania’s ethnic minorities, in every town and commune
In 265 of Romania’s 3,181 localities (its municipalities, towns and communes, the rural local authorities that usually group several villages), ethnic Romanians are less than half of the people who stated an ethnicity. This atlas puts each of the twenty minorities the census names on the map, down to the commune, and follows them back to 1930. Click any place on the map to see who lives there.
Data: Romania’s National Institute of Statistics (INS), census of 1 December 2021, definitive results. Boundaries: Eurostat GISCO.
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One dot for about every 40 people, coloured by ethnicity.
The census counts the residents of every municipality, town and commune. Read against the map, it gives four plain results.
265
localities where ethnic Romanians are less than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity. In 222 another group has a majority: Hungarians in 192, Roma in 12, Ukrainians in 10, Lipovan Russians in three, Croats in two, and Turks, Serbs and Slovaks in one each. In the other 43 no group is certainly above half. Counting everyone, including people with no ethnicity on record, the number is 285: in the other 20 the difference comes only from people with no ethnicity on record or from counts the INS withheld.
22% → 11%
Minorities as a share of residents with an ethnicity on record, 1930 and 2021, within today’s counties. Germans fell from 633,488 to 22,907, Jews from 451,892 to 2,378. Roma, as the census counts them, rose from 242,656 to 569,477.
residents, 13.0% of the total, have no ethnicity on record: 1.4 times all twenty minorities put together (1,747,937). The figure was 1,236,810 in 2011 and 1,941 in 2002.
Hungarians in Harghita and Covasna, the two Hungarian-majority counties in the Székely Land, the Hungarian-speaking region in the centre of the country, 2021, of residents with an ethnicity on record. Hungarians are the largest group in 205 localities across the country and more than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity in 192.
Type a municipality, town or commune, or click it on the map. The map flies there and the panel lists everyone who lives in it, by ethnicity, with a link and a picture to send. 209 localities have at least three groups of 5% or more. The most mixed places with 1,000 or more residents, by the chance that two residents picked at random belong to different groups:
, BihorRomanians 37.1%, Hungarians 26.9%, Roma 19.7%, Slovaks 16.3%
, Satu MareHungarians 36.5%, Romanians 33.4%, Ukrainians 18.1%, Roma 11.9%
, Satu MareRomanians 39.3%, Hungarians 31.3%, Germans 15.0%, Roma 13.4%
The INS publishes one table that runs the censuses of 1930, 1956, 1966, 1977, 1992, 2002, 2011 and 2021 through Romania’s 41 present-day counties, its main administrative divisions, and Bucharest, the capital. Pick a group to see its share of each county’s residents with an ethnicity on record at all eight dates, on one colour scale.
Darker means a larger share. Earlier censuses are assigned to today’s county borders in the INS table, and 1930 shares are of residents counted that year. The census records who is counted and how they described themselves; it does not say why numbers moved. Ilfov is included in Bucharest until 1977 in the INS table.
The 2021 census lists twenty named minorities besides Romanians, plus “other” (19,510 people). Each figure below is the INS count; shares are of the 16,568,889 residents who stated an ethnicity.
Hungarians
Census category: Maghiari
1,002,151 people in 2021, 6.0% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Hungarians: down 225,472 (18%) from 1,227,623 in 2011 to 1,002,151 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 1,423,459, so the series is down 30% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 97.6% give Hungarian and 2.2% Romanian.
Largest community: Târgu Mureș, Mureș (40,604). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Satu Mare, Harghita, 100.0%. More than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity in 192 localities.
Roma
Census category: Romi
569,477 people in 2021, 3.4% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Roma: down 52,096 (8%) from 621,573 in 2011 to 569,477 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 242,656, so the series is up 135% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 33.0% give Romani and 61.0% Romanian.
Largest community: Bucharest (10,740). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Bărbulești, Ialomița, 98.5%. More than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity in 12 localities.
Ukrainians
Census category: Ucraineni
45,835 people in 2021, 0.3% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Ukrainians: down 5,085 (10%) from 50,920 in 2011 to 45,835 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 45,875 Ukrainians and Ruthenians together, about as many as the Ukrainians alone today.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 85.9% give Ukrainian and 13.6% Romanian.
Largest community: Poienile de sub Munte, Maramureș (8,439). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Poienile de sub Munte, Maramureș, 98.3%. More than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity in 10 localities.
Germans
Census category: Germani
22,907 people in 2021, 0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Germans: down 13,135 (36%) from 36,042 in 2011 to 22,907 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 633,488, so the series is down 96% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 60.0% give German and 22.7% Romanian.
Largest community: Timișoara, Timiș (2,189). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Petrești, Satu Mare, 41.9%. The largest group in one locality.
On Sibiu, which kept electing German Forum mayors after most Germans had left, see Sibiu kept voting German.
Turks
Census category: Turci
20,945 people in 2021, 0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Turks: down 6,753 (24%) from 27,698 in 2011 to 20,945 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 26,080, so the series is down 20% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 70.1% give Turkish and 28.6% Romanian.
Largest community: Constanța (4,383). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Dobromir, Constanța, 67.9%. More than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity in one locality.
The Turkish island that the Iron Gates dam drowned in 1970: Ada Kaleh.
Lipovan Russians
Census category: Ruși-lipoveni
Descendants of Russian Old Believers; today mostly in Tulcea and Constanța counties, in the Danube Delta and Dobruja on the Black Sea.
19,394 people in 2021, 0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Lipovan Russians: down 4,093 (17%) from 23,487 in 2011 to 19,394 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 50,725, so the series is down 62% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 69.4% give Russian and 30.1% Romanian.
Largest community: Ghindărești, Constanța (2,383). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Ghindărești, Constanța, 95.7%. More than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity in three localities.
Tatars
Census category: Tătari
Today mostly in Constanța county, in Dobruja on the Black Sea.
18,156 people in 2021, 0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Tatars: down 2,126 (10%) from 20,282 in 2011 to 18,156 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 15,580, so the series is up 17% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 74.8% give Tatar and 23.9% Romanian.
Largest community: Constanța (6,802). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Ciocârlia, Constanța, 10.2%. Not the largest group in any locality.
Serbs
Census category: Sârbi
12,026 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Serbs and Croats together: down 6,616 (28%) from 23,484 in 2011 to 16,868 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 50,310, so the series is down 66% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 79.7% give Serbian and 19.1% Romanian.
Largest community: Timișoara, Timiș (2,776). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Pojejena, Caraș-Severin, 42.6%. More than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity in one locality.
Slovaks
Census category: Slovaci
10,232 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Slovaks: down 3,422 (25%) from 13,654 in 2011 to 10,232 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 50,772 Slovaks and Czechs together.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 86.7% give Slovak and 12.4% Romanian.
Largest community: Nădlac, Arad (2,457). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Nădlac, Arad, 39.4%. More than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity in one locality.
Bulgarians
Census category: Bulgari
5,975 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Bulgarians: down 1,361 (19%) from 7,336 in 2011 to 5,975 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 66,348, so the series is down 91% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 71.0% give Bulgarian and 27.9% Romanian.
Largest community: Dudeștii Vechi, Timiș (1,631). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Dudeștii Vechi, Timiș, 46.0%. The largest group in one locality.
Croats
Census category: Croați
4,842 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Serbs and Croats together: down 6,616 (28%) from 23,484 in 2011 to 16,868 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 50,310, so the series is down 66% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 95.3% give Croatian and 3.8% Romanian.
Largest community: Carașova, Caraș-Severin (2,187). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Carașova, Caraș-Severin, 90.5%. More than half of the residents who stated an ethnicity in two localities.
Italians
Census category: Italieni
4,039 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
The county tables for 1930–2011 do not list this group separately, so only the 2021 count is available.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 88.3% give Italian and 10.6% Romanian.
Largest community: Bucharest (433). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Bucovăț, Timiș, 0.4%. Not the largest group in any locality.
Jews
Census category: Evrei
2,378 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Jews: down 893 (27%) from 3,271 in 2011 to 2,378 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 451,892, so the series is down 99% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 14.3% give Yiddish and 73.3% Romanian.
Largest community: Bucharest (906). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Mușenița, Suceava, 0.3%. Not the largest group in any locality.
Poles
Census category: Polonezi
2,137 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Poles: down 406 (16%) from 2,543 in 2011 to 2,137 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 15,804, so the series is down 86% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 69.8% give Polish and 29.5% Romanian.
Largest community: Cacica, Suceava (732). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Cacica, Suceava, 19.6%. Not the largest group in any locality.
Greeks
Census category: Greci
2,086 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Greeks: down 1,582 (43%) from 3,668 in 2011 to 2,086 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 23,161, so the series is down 91% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 46.5% give Greek and 51.3% Romanian.
Largest community: Bucharest (553). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Izvoarele, Tulcea, 2.2%. Not the largest group in any locality.
Czechs
Census category: Cehi
1,576 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Czechs: down 901 (36%) from 2,477 in 2011 to 1,576 in 2021. The 1930 census counted Czechs together with Slovaks.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 67.8% give Czech and 30.8% Romanian.
Largest community: Coronini, Caraș-Severin (220). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Coronini, Caraș-Severin, 16.1%. Not the largest group in any locality.
Armenians
Census category: Armeni
1,213 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
Armenians: down 148 (11%) from 1,361 in 2011 to 1,213 in 2021. The 1930 census counted 12,175, so the series is down 90% over the century.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 32.8% give Armenian and 61.4% Romanian.
Largest community: Bucharest (390). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Dobreni, Neamț, 0.3%. Not the largest group in any locality.
Macedonians
Census category: Macedoneni
1,089 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
The county tables for 1930–2011 do not list this group separately, so only the 2021 count is available.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 8.8% give Macedonian and 90.4% Romanian.
Largest community: Craiova, Dolj (361). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Băilești, Dolj, 0.6%. Not the largest group in any locality.
Ruthenians
Census category: Ruteni
834 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
The county tables for 1930–2011 do not list this group separately, so only the 2021 count is available.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 65.8% give Ruthenian and 21.6% Romanian.
Largest community: Bistra, Maramureș (296). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Bistra, Maramureș, 9.3%. Not the largest group in any locality.
Albanians
Census category: Albanezi
645 people in 2021, <0.1% of residents with an ethnicity on record
The county tables for 1930–2011 do not list this group separately, so only the 2021 count is available.
Of those whose mother tongue the census publishes, 53.1% give Albanian and 46.9% Romanian.
Largest community: Bucharest (56). Highest share in a locality of 1,000 or more: Stoina, Gorj, 0.8%. Not the largest group in any locality.
2,484,926 residents are filed as “information unavailable” for ethnicity: 13.0% of the total, against 6.1% in 2011 and almost nobody in 2002. The INS’s processing rules say why. Where a person’s record was built from administrative registers, which hold no ethnicity, the answer was not imputed and was grouped under “information unavailable”. The share is highest in cities. Bucharest has 25.6% of its residents in this category.
This changes how the numbers read. Every minority’s count in 2021 is a floor, and comparisons between 2011 and 2021 mix a real change with a change in how many people were asked. Hungarians fell from 1,227,623 to 1,002,151; as a share of those who stated an ethnicity they went from 6.5% to 6.0%. Roma fell from 621,573 to 569,477 as a count and rose from 3.3% to 3.4% as a share. The page uses the share of people with an ethnicity on record wherever it compares places or years, and says so beside each figure.
Roma are the clearest case of a census count that falls short of other estimates. The census is self-declared: it counts people who say they are Roma to a census-taker or on a form. A Romanian government progress report for the Decade of Roma Inclusion (2011), citing a European Commission communication that used Council of Europe data, gave an estimate of 1,850,000 Roma, 8.3% of the population, against the 621,573 counted in the 2011 census. Estimates of this kind are modelled, not counted, and the report also mentions civil-society claims of more than 2.5 million. The map shows who declared; it cannot show who did not.
Other limits worth knowing. Ethnicity is not language: of Roma counted in 2021, 61.0% give Romanian as their mother tongue and 33.0% give Romani. Dots are placed at random inside each locality, so a dot is never a household. The INS hides some cells of its locality table for confidentiality, marked with an asterisk, and a row never has just one, so the value of a hidden cell cannot be worked out by subtraction. A hidden cell can be large: two of them hold 1,733 people in Scânteia, Iași. In all, 147,539 residents in 2,340 localities sit in withheld cells; they are not drawn and are left out of every local share, which is therefore a share of the residents whose ethnicity the INS publishes. Boundaries are the 2021 localities; earlier censuses are only available by county.
Shares are of residents with an ethnicity on record; the last column is the share of all residents with none. The full table for all 3,181 localities is a spreadsheet download.
Ethnicity by locality, 2021. Institutul Național de Statistică (INS, Romania’s statistics office), Census of Population and Housing 2021, definitive results, ethno-cultural characteristics, Table 2.2.2 (resident population by ethnicity in municipalities, towns and communes at 1 December 2021). All 3,181 localities were joined to boundaries by name and county, and their totals check against the national figure (19,053,815) and each county’s total.
Ethnicity by county, 1930–2021. INS, the same page, Table 2.1 (population by ethnicity at the censuses of 1930–2021, by county). Mother tongue by ethnicity: Table 2.23.2.
What the census asks and leaves blank. INS, enumeration and data-processing methodology (ethnicity is whatever the person declares freely; where data come from administrative sources, ethnicity, mother tongue and religion stay unimputed and are grouped as “information unavailable”).
Roma estimate. Romanian government, Roma Decade progress report, Romania, 2011, which cites the European Commission communication “An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies” and Council of Europe data. A secondary citation; the underlying Council of Europe table was not reachable when this page was written.
Method. A “locality” here is a municipality, town or commune, the unit the census reports; a commune usually groups several villages. A dot stands for about 10 people at the closest zoom and for 20 or 40 when zoomed out; positions are drawn at random inside each locality, but the same way every time, so the same view always looks the same. Cells the INS withholds are not drawn, and local shares are of the residents whose ethnicity the INS publishes. Percentages round to one decimal. “Largest group” compares the twenty-one named categories and ignores “other” and “not recorded”; “majority” and “less than half” are of the residents who stated an ethnicity unless the text says all residents. Names of places follow the INS tables.
What this atlas does not do: it has no data for 2011 or 2002 below county level, so change over time stops at the county. A locality’s figures describe where people were counted as resident, not where their families come from.
