Padang Lawas Regency
Padang Lawas is a regency in the North Sumatra province of Indonesia. It covers an area of 3,912.18 km2, and had a population of 226,807 at the 2010 Census and 261,011 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as of mid-2024 was 280,764 - comprising 140,953 males and 139,811 females. Its administrative seat is the town of Sibuhuan in Barumun District. Padang Lawas Regency was created on 17 July 2007 from southeastern parts of the South Tapanuli Regency. It is the only regency in this province that borders two other provinces, West Sumatra and Riau.
Administrative districts
At the 2010 Census, the regency was divided into nine districts. Subsequently, three additional districts were created by the division of existing districts. In 2019 a further five districts were created, although the populations of these areas at the 2010 Census are still included in the districts from which they were cut. The districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as of mid-2024. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district, and its postcode.| Kode Wilayah | Name of District | Area in km2 | Pop'n Census 2010 | Pop'n Census 2020 | Pop'n Estimate mid 2024 | Admin centre | No. of villages | Post code |
| 12.21.01 | Sosopan | 435.18 | 9,186 | 10,389 | 11,047 | Sosopan | 12 | 22761 |
| 12.21.06 | Ulu Barumun | 207.43 | 14,024 | 16,700 | 18,115 | Paringgonan | 15 | 22767 |
| 12.21.07 | Barumun | 126.10 | 44,040 | 40,934 | 44,640 | Pasar Sibuhuan | 17 | 22763 |
| 12.21.13 | Barumun Baru | 13.73 | 12,266 | 13,385 | Hasahatan Julu | 13 | 22763 | |
| 12.21.10 | Barumun Selatan | 109.87 | 6,780 | 7,954 | 8,578 | Batang Bulu Lama | 11 | 22764 |
| 12.21.04 | Lubuk Barumun | 289.58 | 16,201 | 20,024 | 22,036 | Pasar Latong | 24 | 22766 |
| 12.21.08 | Sosa | 283.52 | 31,765 | 19,487 | 21,631 | Pasar Ujung Batu | 16 | 22765 |
| 12.21.14 | Ulu Sosa | 211.67 | 9,076 | 9,607 | Hapung | 11 | 22765 | |
| 12.21.15 | Sosa Julu | 155.95 | 10,295 | 11,384 | Hurung Jilok | 12 | 22765 | |
| 12.21.17 | Sosa Timur | 159.55 | 8,623 | 8,856 | Tanjung Ale | 13 | 22742 & 22776 | |
| 12.21.09 | Batang Lubu Sutam | 184.75 | 11,990 | 8,113 | 8,451 | Pinarik | 20 | 22742 |
| 12.21.05 | Huta Raja Tinggi | 663.24 | 39,575 | 39,252 | 41,501 | Huta Raja Tinggi | 26 | 22776 |
| 12.21.03 | Huristak | 523.59 | 19,794 | 18,652 | 19,156 | Pasar Huristak | 27 | 22743 |
| 12.21.02 | Barumun Tengah | 119.40 | 18,153 | 16,307 | 17,089 | Padang Hasior | 21 | 22755 |
| 12.21.11 | Aek Nabara Barumun | 329.36 | 10,725 | 13,107 | 14,361 | Aek Nabara | 25 | 22755 |
| 12.21.12 | Sihapas Barumun | 48.25 | 4,574 | 5,685 | 6,269 | Padang Hasior | 13 | 22755 |
| 12.21.16 | Barumun Barat | 51.01 | 4,147 | 4,658 | Aek Nabara | 10 | 22755 | |
| Totals | 3,912.18 | 226,807 | 261,011 | 280,764 | Pasar Sibuhuan | 304 |
Notes: including Pasar Sibuhuan, the sole town in the regency, with 22,136 inhabitants as at mid 2023.
the 2010 Census population of the new Barumun Baru District is included in the figure for the Barumun District, from which it was cut out in 2019.
the 2010 Census populations of the new Sosa Julu and Ulu Sosa Districts are included in the figure for the Sosa District, from which they were cut out in 2019.
the 2010 Census populations of the new Sosa Timur District are included in the figures for the Batang Lubu Sutam and Hutaraja Tinggi Districts, from which it was cut out in 2019.
the 2010 Census populations of the new Barumun Barut District are included in the figure for the Barumun Tengah District, from which it was cut out in 2019.