Wikipedia

List of cities in Lithuania

Vilnius, capital of Lithuania

In Lithuania, there are 103 cities (in Lithuanian: singular – miestas, plural – miestai). The term city is defined by the Parliament of Lithuania as compact areas populated by more than 3,000 people of whom at least two thirds work in the industry or service sector. Those settlements which have a population of less than 3,000 but historically had city status are still considered to be cities. Smaller settlements are called miestelis (plural miesteliai) which is translated as towns. Even smaller settlements (villages) are called kaimas (plural kaimai). Often the official status is not clear and people refer to both towns and villages as gyvenvietė (plural gyvenvietės) which in essence means settlement.

The cities started to form in the 13th-14th century together with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The first to receive city rights was Klaipėda. According to medieval law, a city could have its own fairs, taverns, guilds, courts, etc. Some former cities lost their status and are now just towns or villages, for example Kernavė or Merkinė. Most of the cities in Lithuania were established before the 18th century. Their location is mostly determined by trade and transportation routes. Some of the newer cities grew because of railroad construction, for example Kaišiadorys, Vievis, Radviliškis, Ignalina or Mažeikiai. In the last century cities grew next to big industrial centers, for example Visaginas, Elektrėnai or Naujoji Akmenė. Five cities – Birštonas, Druskininkai, Neringa, Palanga and Anykščiai – have a special resort status.

Most of the cities are small. There are only 14 cities with a population of more than 20,000. Cities are quite evenly spread out through the territory of Lithuania. At the 2001 census 66.7% of the population lived in cities and the percentage is growing.

Cities with over 20,000 inhabitants

# CoA City Pronunciation Population (2020) Population (2001) Change Granted city rights County Municipality Urban area estimate (2020)
1 Grand Coat of arms of Vilnius.svg Vilnius • 580,020 554,281 +4.64% 1387 Vilnius County Vilnius City Municipality 700,725
2 Coat of arms of Kaunas.svg Kaunas • 289,380 378,943 −23.63% 1408 Kaunas County Kaunas City Municipality 381,007
3 Coat of arms of Klaipeda (Lithuania).svg Klaipėda • 149,157 192,954 −22.70% 1257 Klaipėda County Klaipėda City Municipality 209,240
4 Coat of arms of Šiauliai Grand (Lithuania).svg Šiauliai • 101,514 133,883 −24.18% 1589 Šiauliai County Šiauliai City Municipality 141,784
5 Coat of Arms of Panevezys.svg Panevėžys • 85,885 119,749 −28.28% 1837 Panevėžys County Panevėžys City Municipality 124,412
6 Coat of arms of Alytus (Lithuania).svg Alytus • 49,888 71,491 −30.22% 1581 Alytus County Alytus City Municipality 75,775
7 Marijampole COA.svg Marijampolė • 34,968 48,675 −28.16% 1792 Marijampolė County Marijampolė Municipality 53,772
8 Coat of arms of Mazeikiai (Lithuania).svg Mažeikiai • 32,477 42,675 −23.90% 1924 Telšiai County Mažeikiai District Municipality 51,067
9 Coat of arms of Jonava (Lithuania).svg Jonava • 26,427 34,954 −24.39% 1864 Kaunas County Jonava District Municipality 41,163
10 Coat of arms of Utena (Lithuania).svg Utena • 25,395 33,860 −25.00% 1599 Utena County Utena District Municipality 37,179
11 Coat of arms of Kedainiai (Lithuania).svg Kėdainiai • 22,682 32,048 −29.22% 1590 Kaunas County Kėdainiai District Municipality 45,285
12 Coat of arms of Taurage (Lithuania).svg Tauragė • 21,516 29,124 −26.12% 1924 Tauragė County Tauragė District Municipality 37,805
13 Telsiai COA.gif Telšiai • 21,294 31,460 −32.31% 1791 Telšiai County Telšiai District Municipality 39,317
14 Ukmerge COA.gif Ukmergė • 20,144 28,759 −29.96% 1486 Vilnius County Ukmergė District Municipality 33,471

Cities with under 20,000 inhabitants

# CoA City Pronunciation
Population (2001) Population (2020) Granted city rights County Municipality
15 Visaginas COA.svg Visaginas • 29,554 18,031 1977 Utena County Visaginas Municipality
16 Plunge COA.gif Plungė • 23,436 18,904 1792 Telšiai County Plungė District Municipality
17 Kretinga COA.gif Kretinga • 21,423 18,732 1609 Klaipėda County Kretinga District Municipality
18 Gargzdai COA.gif Gargždai • 15,212 16,814 1792 Klaipėda County Klaipėda District Municipality
19 Coat of arms of Silute (Lithuania).svg Šilutė • 21,476 16,812 1941 Klaipėda County Šilutė District Municipality
20 Radviliskis COA.gif Radviliškis • 20,339 16,344 1923 Šiauliai County Radviliškis District Municipality
21 Coat of arms of Palanga (Lithuania).svg Palanga • 17,623 15,474 1791 Klaipėda County Palanga City Municipality
22 Birzai COA.png Biržai • 15,262 15,262 1589 Panevėžys County Biržai District Municipality
23 Rokiskis COA.gif Rokiškis • 16,746 14,351 1920 Panevėžys County Rokiškis District Municipality
24 Kursenai COA.gif Kuršėnai • 14,197 14,197 1946 Šiauliai County Šiauliai District Municipality
25 Coat of arms of Druskininkai (Lithuania).svg Druskininkai • 18,233 14,172 1893 Alytus County Druskininkai Municipality
26 Elektrenai COA.svg Elektrėnai • 14,050 13,664 1962 Vilnius County Elektrėnai Municipality
27 Garliava COA.svg Garliava • 13,322 13,423 1958 Kaunas County Kaunas District Municipality
28 Jurbarkas COA.gif Jurbarkas • 13,797 12,972 1611 Tauragė County Jurbarkas District Municipality
29 Raseiniai COA.gif Raseiniai • 12,541 11,203 1492–1506 Kaunas County Raseiniai District Municipality
30 Vilkaviškis CoA.svg Vilkaviškis • 13,283 11,117 1660 Marijampolė County Vilkaviškis District Municipality
31 Lentvaris COA.svg Lentvaris • 11,773 11,105 1946 Vilnius County Trakai District Municipality
32 Coat of arms of Joniskis.svg Joniškis • 11,329 10,881 1616 Šiauliai County Joniškis District Municipality
33 Grigiskes COA.gif Grigiškės • 11,448 10,867 1958 Vilnius County Vilnius City Municipality
34 Anyksciai COA.gif Anykščiai • 11,958 10,575 1516 Utena County Anykščiai District Municipality
35 Kelmes-herbas.svg Kelmė • 10,900 10,302 1947 Šiauliai County Kelmė District Municipality
36 Varena COA.gif Varėna • 10,845 10,296 1946 Alytus County Varėna District Municipality
37 Prienai COA.gif Prienai • 11,353 9,867 1609 Kaunas County Prienai District Municipality
38 Kaisiadorys COA.gif Kaišiadorys • 10,002 9,729 1946 Kaunas County Kaišiadorys District Municipality
39 Naujoji Akmene COA.gif Naujoji Akmenė • 12,345 9,300 1792 Šiauliai County Akmenė District Municipality
40 Pasvalys COA.gif Pasvalys • 8,709 8,296 1946 Panevėžys County Pasvalys District Municipality
41 Kupiskis COA.gif Kupiškis • 8,451 8,082 1791 Panevėžys County Kupiškis District Municipality
42 Coat of arms of Zarasai.svg Zarasai • 8,365 7,766 1843 Utena County Zarasai District Municipality
43 Skuodas COA.gif Skuodas • 7,896 7,358 1572 Klaipėda County Skuodas District Municipality
44 Coat of arms of Kazlu Ruda (Lithuania).svg Kazlų Rūda • 7,401 7,162 1950 Marijampolė County Kazlų Rūda Municipality
45 Coat of arms of Širvintos (Lithuania).svg Širvintos • 7,273 7,070 1950 Vilnius County Širvintos District Municipality
46 Coat of arms of Moletai (Lithuania).svg Molėtai • 7,221 6,949 1956 Utena County Molėtai District Municipality
47 Herb Soleczników.svg Šalčininkai • 6,722 6,563 1956 Vilnius County Šalčininkai District Municipality
48 Sakiai COA.gif Šakiai • 6,795 6,511 1776 Marijampolė County Šakiai District Municipality
49 Herb Nowych Święcian.svg Švenčionėliai • 6,923 6,346 1920 Vilnius County Švenčionys District Municipality
50 Coa pabrade.png Pabradė • 6,525 6,236 1946 Vilnius County Švenčionys District Municipality
51 Kybartai COA.gif Kybartai • 6,556 6,209 1947 Marijampolė County Vilkaviškis District Municipality
52 Coat of arms of Ignalina (Lithuania).svg Ignalina • 6,591 6,119 1950 Utena County Ignalina District Municipality
53 Coat of arms of Šilalė.svg Šilalė • 6,281 6,037 1950 Tauragė County Šilalė District Municipality
54 Nemencine COA.gif Nemenčinė • 5,892 5,876 1955 Vilnius County Vilnius District Municipality
55 Coat of arms of Pakruojis (Lithuania).svg Pakruojis • 6,057 5,750 1950 Šiauliai County Pakruojis District Municipality
56 Herb Święcian.svg Švenčionys • 5,684 5,566 1800 Vilnius County Švenčionys district
57 Trakai (Lithuania) CoA.svg Trakai • 5,725 5,373 1409 Vilnius County Trakai District Municipality
58 Vievis COA.gif Vievis • 5,303 5,049 1950 Vilnius County Elektrėnai Municipality
59 Kalvarija COA.gif Kalvarija • 5,090 5,013 1791 Marijampolė County Kalvarija Municipality
60 Lazdijai COA.gif Lazdijai • 5,140 4,811 1957 Alytus County Lazdijai District Municipality
61 Rietavas COA.gif Rietavas • 3,979 3,843 1792 Telšiai County Rietavas Municipality
62 Ziezmariai COA.gif Žiežmariai • 3,884 3,759 1792 Kaunas County Kaišiadorys District Municipality
63 Eisiskes COA.png Eišiškės • 3,765 3,610 1950 Vilnius County Šalčininkai District Municipality
64 Coat of arms of Ariogala.svg Ariogala • 3,697 3,458 1792 Kaunas County Raseiniai District Municipality
65 Coat of arms of Neringa (Lithuania).svg Neringa • 2,386 3,371 1961 Klaipėda County Neringa Municipality
66 Seduva COA.gif Šeduva • 3,400 3,200 1654 Šiauliai County Radviliškis District Municipality
67 Birstonas COA.svg Birštonas • 3,225 3,172 1518? Kaunas County Birštonas Municipality
68 Venta COA.gif Venta • 3,412 2,959 1978 Šiauliai County Akmenė District Municipality
69 Coat of arms of Akmenė (Lithuania).svg Akmenė • 3,140 2,690 1792 Šiauliai County Akmenė District Municipality
69 TytuvenaiCOA.jpg Tytuvėnai • 2,851 2,690 1956 Šiauliai County Kelmė District Municipality
71 LIT Rudziszki COA.jpg Rūdiškės • 2,559 2,472 1958 Vilnius County Trakai District Municipality
72 Vilkija COA.gif Vilkija • 2,338 2,301 1792 Kaunas County Kaunas District Municipality
73 Pagegiai COA.gif Pagėgiai • 2,393 2,236 1923 Tauragė County Pagėgiai Municipality
74 LIT Wieksznie COA.jpg Viekšniai • 2,270 2,198 1791 Telšiai County Mažeikiai District Municipality
75 Coat of arms of Žagarė.svg Žagarė • 2,312 2,115 1924 Šiauliai County Joniškis District Municipality
76 Ezerelis COA.svg Ežerėlis • 2,051 2,014 1956 Kaunas County Kaunas District Municipality
77 LIT Skaudwile COA.jpg Skaudvilė • 2,140 1,976 1950 Tauragė County Tauragė District Municipality
78 Gelgaudiskis COA.gif Gelgaudiškis • 2,029 1,936 1958 Marijampolė County Šakiai District Municipality
79 Kudirkos Naumiestis COA.gif Kudirkos Naumiestis • 1,997 1,916 1643 Marijampolė County Šakiai District Municipality
80 Simnas COA.gif Simnas • 1,980 1,844 1626 Alytus County Alytus District Municipality
81 Salantai COA.gif Salantai • 1,942 1,825 1746 Klaipėda County Kretinga District Municipality
82 Linkuva COA.gif Linkuva • 1,797 1,735 1950 Šiauliai County Pakruojis District Municipality
83 LIT Remigoła COA.png Ramygala • 1,733 1,695 1957 Panevėžys County Panevėžys District Municipality
84 Priekule COA.gif Priekulė • 1,725 1,663 1948 Klaipėda County Klaipėda District Municipality
85 LIT Wiejsieje COA.gif Veisiejai • 1,762 1,592 1956 Alytus County Lazdijai District Municipality
86 Coat of arms of Daugai.svg Daugai • 1,458 1,432 1792 Alytus County Alytus District Municipality
87 LIT Johaniszkiele COA.jpg Joniškėlis • 1,477 1,389 1736 Panevėžys County Pasvalys District Municipality
88 Jieznas COA.gif Jieznas • 1,476 1,311 1956 Kaunas County Prienai District Municipality
89 Obeliai COA.gif Obeliai • 1,371 1,293 1956 Panevėžys County Rokiškis District Municipality
90 Varniai COA.gif Varniai • 1,355 1,258 1950 Telšiai County Telšiai District Municipality
91 Virbalis COA.gif Virbalis • 1,351 1,250 1593 Marijampolė County Vilkaviškis District Municipality
92 Seda COA.gif Seda • 1,309 1,189 1950 Telšiai County Mažeikiai District Municipality
93 Vabalninkas COA.gif Vabalninkas • 1,328 1,155 1775 Panevėžys County Biržai District Municipality
94 Subačius • 1,180 1,105 1958 Panevėžys County Kupiškis District Municipality
95 Herb Białej Waki.svg Baltoji Vokė • 1,073 1,073 1958 Vilnius County Šalčininkai District Municipality
96 Pandelys COA.gif Pandėlys • 1,024 941 1956 Panevėžys County Rokiškis District Municipality
97 Dukstoherbas.PNG Dūkštas • 1,070 930 1956 Utena County Ignalina District Municipality
98 Uzventis COA.gif Užventis • 898 844 1746 Šiauliai County Kelmė District Municipality
99 Dusetos COA.gif Dusetos • 914 831 1950 Utena County Zarasai District Municipality
100 Kavarsko herbas.jpg Kavarskas • 809 692 1956 Utena County Anykščiai District Municipality
101 Smalininkai Coat of Arms.jpg Smalininkai • 653 600 1945 Tauragė County Jurbarkas District Municipality
102 TroskunaiCOA.svg Troškūnai • 525 451 1956 Utena County Anykščiai District Municipality
103 Panemunė • 329 319 1837 Tauragė County Pagėgiai Municipality

Map

Map showing all cities marked with red dots. Bigger cities are written in larger letters. Click on the map for better resolution.

Lietuva All Cities.png

Gallery

See also

  • List of towns in Lithuania (Lithuanian: plural – miesteliai, singular – miestelis)
  • List of Lithuanian cities in other languages
  • Administrative divisions of Lithuania
  • Counties (Lithuanian: singular – apskritis, plural – apskritys)
  • Municipalities (Lithuanian: plural – savivaldybės, singular – savivaldybė)
  • Elderships (or wards) (eldership, ward) (Lithuanian: plural – seniūnijos, singular – seniūnija).
  • Seniūnaitija (sub-eldership)

Notes and sources

  • Population sizes are given according to Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Statistics Lithuania) data for the census of 2001.
  • "City rights" means rights to self-governing. For older cities usually it is the date when Magdeburg rights were granted. Most dates are obtained from Lithuanian Wikipedia which assembled the information from several different sources. One of the main sources was Population Statistics. This information cannot be completely trusted.
  • Counties, municipalities and elderates are given according to Lithuanian Central Internet Gates data.
  • Stasys Vaitiekūnas, Elena Valančienė, Lietuvos geografija (Geography of Lithuania), Alma littera, 2004, pages 160-162. ISBN 9955-08-534-7
  • Lietuvos Respublikos teritorijos administracinių vienetų ir jų ribų įstatymas (Republic of Lithuania Law on Administrative Units and Their Borders), Seimas law database, June 19, 1994, law no. I-558.
  • At the time of 2001 census, there were 106 cities in Lithuania. Government of Republic of Lithuania made these changes:
  • On December 16, 2002 Juodupė lost city status and became a town;
  • On February 25, 2003 Kulautuva lost city status and became a town;
  • On April 8, 2003 Tyruliai lost city status and became a town.
  • Cities without coat of arms image do not have it confirmed by the President of Lithuania. Municipalities share coat of arms with their capitals with the exception of cities which are capitals of more than one municipality (i.e. a city municipality and a district municipality) in which case the city municipality shares the coat of arms with the city, while the district municipality has its own distinct coat of arms. Another notable exception is Trakai town, which has different coat of arms than does its municipality (Trakai District Municipality).
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