The top 10 most populated LGAs in Rivers are:

Port Harcourt
Obio-Akpor
Khana
Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni
Abua–Odual
Degema
Etche
Ahoada West
Gokana
Okrika

Full list of LGAs in Rivers State by population. From largest to smallest

LGA name	Population
Port Harcourt	541,115
Obio-Akpor	464,789
Khana	294,217
Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni	284,010
Abua–Odual	282,988
Degema	249,773
Etche	249,454
Ahoada West	249,425
Gokana	228,828
Okrika	222,026
Asari-Toru	220,100
Bonny	215,358
Andoni	211,009
Emohua	201,901
Eleme	190,884
Ikwerre	189,726
Ahoada East	166,747
Akuku-Toru	156,006
Opobo–Nkoro	151,511
Oyigbo	122,687
Tai	117,797
Omuma	100,366
Ogu–Bolo	74,683

• Based on 2006 Census

Rivers is the fifth most populous State in Nigeria with over 3 million residents.

Also, Rivers is the sixth-largest geographic area in Nigeria.

The state has an indigenously diverse population with major riverine and upland divisions with beautiful cultural heritage.

The major ethnic groups are: Ogoni, Ijaw and Ikwerre.

The riverine, including most of the state’s towns and villages surrounded by water is moderately inhabited.

Engagement in arts often serves to strengthen social bonds in subtle but important ways, and to forge connections that may not have existed before.

Rivers arts and culture are a vital tool in promoting a stronger social fabric and enhancing the social health of our state.

ECONOMY

It is the second largest economy in the country, next only to Lagos State. Port Harcourt, the State’s capital, is one of the largest cities in the country and contributes significantly to the nation’s financial, manufacturing, transport and telecommunications sectors, among others. In 2007, the State’s gross domestic product (GDP) was $21.07 billion and a per capita income of$3.965.

Rivers generates about a third of Nigeria’s gross domestic product, gross domestic and national income and foreign exchange. Most of the multinational oil and gas companies in Nigeria and abroad are based either in Rivers State or have offices and branches in the state. These companies include, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Total-Elf-Fina, Nigeria

Agip Oil Company, Saipem Nigeria Limited, Dawoo Nigeria Limited, Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited. The State also has two petroleum refineries; two seaports, two airports, the Trans Amadi Industrial Estate and the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Rivers is famous for its vast reserve of crude oil and natural gas. More than 40% of Nigeria’s output of crude oil and gas resources is produced in the state. Apart from crude oil, the State is also rich in silica sand, glass and clay and other solid minerals, most of which is untapped.

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing activities are presently very limited in Rivers State. The State depends largely on goods and commodities imported from abroad or produced from other cities such as Aba, Onitsha and Lagos.

Nevertheless the Trans Amadi Industrial Estate in Port Harcourt host some manufacturing companies.

There are also some considerable manufacturing activities taking place in the Eleme/Onne industrial hub where Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, the Nigerian Petroleum Refinery Company and the Notore Chemical Industries, among others is located.