Barangay Santa Maria

Barangay Santa Maria forms part of Licab, a municipality in Nueva Ecija, and is classified as a mid-sized barangay.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Santa Maria had a population of 4,347. This made it the 1st largest of 11 barangays in Licab by population, placing it among the most populous barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Santa Maria accounted for approximately 14.85% of the total population of Licab, which stood at 29,269 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 4,249 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 4,347 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +2.3%, consistent with a growing settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Santa Maria as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Licab is a municipality comprising 11 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Santa Maria, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Nueva Ecija, which contains 849 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Santa Maria ranks 140th by 2020 population. Nueva Ecija is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Like every Philippine barangay, Barangay Santa Maria is led by an elected Punong Barangay (barangay captain) supported by seven Sangguniang Barangay members (kagawads), an SK Chairperson, a Barangay Secretary, and a Barangay Treasurer. The next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, with officials serving four-year terms under Republic Act No. 12232.