Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 331,832, of whom 166,875 are men and 164,957 are women; 53,343 or 16.08% of its population are urban dwellers, which is greater than the Zone average of 6.3%. With an estimated area of 872.5 square kilometers, Meskanena Mareko has an estimated population density of 380.3 people per square kilometer, which is greater than the Zone average of 278.3.[2]
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 227,135 of whom 113,095 were males and 114,040 were females; 29,440 or 12.96% of its population were urban dwellers. The five largest ethnic groups reported in Meskanena Mareko were the Meskan sub-group[3] of the Sebat BetGurage (35.62%), the Silte (22.36%), the Mareqo or Libido (15.7%), the Soddo Gurage (12.06%) and the Amhara (3.65%); all other ethnic groups made up 10.61% of the population. Sebat Bet Gurage is spoken as a first language by 32.25%, 21.8% Silte, 14.7% speak Libido, 11.35% speak Soddo Gurage, and 9.88% speak Amharic; the remaining 10.02% spoke all other primary languages reported. 62.32% of the population said they were Muslim, 32.70% practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and 1.77% were Protestants.[4] Concerning education, 22.8% of the population were considered literate, which is more than the Zone average of 20.62%; 7.75% of children aged 7–12 were in primary school, 1.8% of the children aged 13–14 were in junior secondary school, and 1.82% of the inhabitants aged 15–18 were in senior secondary school.[5] Concerning sanitary conditions, 74.95% of the urban houses and 19.98% of all houses had access to safe drinking water at the time of the census; 52.98% of the urban and 8.49% of all houses had toilet facilities.[6]