Barangay San Rafael

Barangay San Rafael forms part of Itbayat, a municipality in Batanes, and is classified as a small barangay.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay San Rafael had a population of 897. This made it the 1st largest of 5 barangays in Itbayat by population, placing it among the most populous barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay San Rafael accounted for approximately 28.68% of the total population of Itbayat, which stood at 3,128 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay San Rafael moving from 745 residents to 897 residents, an intercensal change of +20.4%. The trajectory indicates a growing community. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay San Rafael as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Itbayat is a municipality comprising 5 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay San Rafael, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Batanes, which contains 29 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay San Rafael ranks 5th by 2020 population. Batanes is classified as a 5th by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Barangay San Rafael is governed by an elected Sangguniang Barangay composed of a Punong Barangay and seven kagawads, with the Sangguniang Kabataan representing the youth. The next BSKE, set for Monday, November 2, 2026, will elect officials to four-year terms as provided under Republic Act No. 12232.