According to the IBGE of July 2009, there were 806,203 people residing in the city, and 1,263,547 people residing in the Greater Natal (metropolitan area). This is the second smallest capital the country in territorial extension^[16], therefore, the population density is high, 4,546,3 per square kilometer 4.638.03 inhabitants per square kilometre (12.0 /sq mi). It is the 21st largest city in the country and the sixth largest in the northeastern region. The racial makeup of the city was 48.38% Pardo (brown), 46.99% White, 3.65% Black, 0.30% Asian or Amerindian.

Religion