Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 155,984, of whom 78,699 are men and 77,285 are women; 13,422 or 8.60% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 10.9%. With an estimated area of 1,949.85 square kilometers, Gawo Dale has an estimated population density of 80 people per square kilometer, which is less than the Zone average of 91.7.[4]
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 111,251 in 20,345 households, of whom 55,276 were men and 55,975 were women; 7,495 or 6.74% of its population were urban dwellers. The two largest ethnic groups reported in Gawo Dale were the Oromo (93.1%), and the Amhara (6.26%); all other ethnic groups made up 0.67% of the population. Oromiffa was spoken as a first language by 91.91%, and 7.41% Amharic; the remaining 0.41% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants observed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 46.09% reporting that as their religion, while 28.77% were Muslim, and 24.49% Protestant.[5]
