Barangay Fuerte

Classified as a mid-sized barangay, Barangay Fuerte is one of the administrative divisions of Caoayan in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Region, Philippines.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Fuerte had a population of 2,675. This made it the 1st largest of 17 barangays in Caoayan by population, placing it among the most populous barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Fuerte accounted for approximately 13.67% of the total population of Caoayan, which stood at 19,574 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Fuerte moving from 2,711 residents to 2,675 residents, an intercensal change of -1.3%. The trajectory indicates a broadly stable community. Barangay Fuerte is officially classified as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Caoayan is a municipality comprising 17 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Fuerte, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Ilocos Sur, which contains 768 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Fuerte ranks 15th by 2020 population. Ilocos Sur is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

The barangay's legislative and executive affairs are handled by a Punong Barangay and the Sangguniang Barangay, elected nationwide during the Barangay and SK Elections. The next BSKE is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, following the synchronized election schedule set by COMELEC Resolution No. 11191.