Facts and Figures: San Carlos City, Pangasinan

Population density of San Carlos has reached 92.26 persons per square kilometer as of 2003 statistics. Classified as a second class city, with an annual income of P289 million (as of 2001), employment rate is 86 percent with many establishments and a potential trade area. Literacy rate is 93 percent and the student population has gone up to 46,359 with 91 public and private elementary and secondary schools which provide education to pupils and students. The major universities are the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation and the Pangasinan State University, and there are other institutions like the San Carlos College, Palaris College, STI, and Marian Computer College. As of 2004, the student population in the city was about 47,000 or more out of the total population.


San Carlos City seems many things to the natives of San Carlos. This city is the seat of government administration; the site of educational, commercial, cultural, and religious crusades; and the political pacesetter in Pangasinan.

In this humble city, you will find a striking mix of people. Many of them are students, traders, farmers, investors, teachers, professionals, businessmen, overseas contract workers, and balikbayans working to bring prosperity to this town. Some of them seem to be from somewhere else: from other provinces, cities, and other countries - Singapore, Iran, Iraq, United Kingdom, United States, Brunei, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia. Their origins and beginnings vary as much as their predominant language. Ask some of them why they come to San Carlos and they'll likely mention the job opportunities and education. But even then, the city's percentage of residents who have lived in the same house for the past 30 years is high. Ethnic identity remains strong. Residents still attend fiestas at the plaza and others have fun by just enjoying the sights and sounds around the periphery. It's also a city where people go home to their families for vacation.

San Carlos City's climate and topography is predominantly plain with a dry climate. The dry season occurs in November to April, and maximum rains are observed in August and the minimum in January and February. April and May have been observed to be the hottest months, and January, the coldest.

Records show that the city's total road length is 218 kilometers. Paved roads are around 121 kilometers while 97 kilometers are unpaved. Major crops are rice, corn, peanuts, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Major industries are mango culture, bamboo craft, handicraft, livestock, pottery, and food processing. The number of fruit-bearing mango trees is 12,320 (highest in Luzon}. Hog population is 25,581 heads (highest in Region 1), large cattle population is 12,480 heads, known to be the highest in Region 1.

Source: San Carlos City: A Celebration by Fe Casillan Garcia.