People & Government

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 1,020,676 and a density of 1,302.65 persons per km2. The city's total area is 788.09 km2. Most people in the city live in urban areas close to train and subway stations. The 2000 National Census revealed that 88.5% of the city's population (892,252 people) live in an 129.69 km2 area, which is 16.6% of the city's total area. The population density in this area is 6,879.9 persons per km2, which is more than 5 times higher than the city's population density at that time, 1,286.6 persons per km2. Approximately 10,000 people in Sendai are non-Japanese citizens.

Sendai has 440,759 households as of 2004. The average household has approximately 2.33 members. The average houshold is becoming smaller every year, because single-member households are increasing. Sendai has many people in their early 50s and in their 20s and early 30s compared to other age groups. This is a result of the first and second baby boom in Japan, and the presence of many young students that study in Sendai. The average age in Sendai is 38.4, which makes the city one of the youngest major cities in Japan.
Sendai's political system is similar to other cities in Japan, because the Local Autonomy Law makes all municipalities uniform in terms of organization and power. However, Sendai is a designated city, so it has the same jurisdiction as prefectures in some areas.

Sendai's local government is essentially a mayor-council government with a strong mayor system. The mayor is elected from a citywide election. Sendai City Assembly members are elected from 5 elective districts, which correspond to the city's 5 wards. The number of assembly members allocated to each ward is based upon population. As of May 2005, the city has 60 assembly members; 17 from Aoba Ward, 11 from Miyagino, 8 from Wakabayashi, 13 from Taihaku, and 11 from Izumi. The City Assembly elects a Assembly Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Sendai has two vice mayors, which are not elected by the populace.