Barangay Santa Rita (Pob.)

Situated in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Barangay Santa Rita (Pob.) is one of 31 barangays that make up the municipality within Ilocos Region.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Santa Rita (Pob.) had a population of 838. This made it the 11th largest of 31 barangays in Paoay by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Santa Rita (Pob.) accounted for approximately 3.35% of the total population of Paoay, which stood at 25,001 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 706 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 838 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +18.7%, consistent with a growing settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Santa Rita (Pob.) as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Paoay is a municipality comprising 31 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Santa Rita (Pob.), including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Ilocos Norte, which contains 559 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Santa Rita (Pob.) ranks 346th by 2020 population. Ilocos Norte is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Barangay Santa Rita (Pob.) 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.