Batang () is a regency () on the north coast of Central Java province in Indonesia. It was created on 14 June 1965 from what was previously the eastern half of Pekalongan Regency. It covers an area of 857.21 km2 and had a population of 706,764 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 801,718 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as of mid-2025 was 847,175 (comprising 426,493 males and 420,682 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Batang Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3325) Its capital is the town of Batang, situated about 100 km west of the province's capital city of Semarang but in effect an eastern suburb of Pekalongan city, whose city centre is just 8 km to the west.
People in Batang are mostly Javanese who speak both Javanese and Indonesian.
The regency comprises both coastal and mountainous landscapes. Batang's town centre is located on the side of the north coast trans-Java highway network, widely known as "the Pantura". Economic activities are concentrated along this highway and also in the vicinity of the town square known as "alun-alun". In the middle of the square, there is a huge old ficus tree which has become one of the Regency's icons.
Administrative districts Batang Regency comprises fifteen districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and the 2020 Census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. together with the official estimates as of mid-2025.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Batang Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3325) The table also includes the locations of the district headquarters, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 239 rural desa and 9 urban kelurahan - the latter all in Batang (town) District), and its postcode.
Kode Wilayah Name ofDistrict(kecamatan) Area inkm2 Pop'nCensus2010 Pop'nCensus2020 Pop'nEstimatemid 2025Admincentre No.ofvillages Postcode 33.25.01 Wonotunggal 55.4330,91537,79741,401Wonotunggal1551253 33.25.02 Bandar 79.3763,31071,69175,666Bandar1751254 33.25.03 Blado 96.4542,13145,83547,448Blado1851255 33.25.04 Reban 69.4735,35340,30642,681Reban1951273 33.25.05 Bawang 76.9750,70555,67257,888Bawang2051274 33.25.06 Tersono 51.3635,58540,48242,822Tersono2051272 33.25.07 Gringsing 79.7455,85963,01966,394Plelen1551291 33.25.08 Limpung 32.7238,68343,88745,363Limpung1751271 33.25.15 Banyuputih 42.3332,78136,70838,535Sembung1151271- 51281 33.25.09 Subah 91.4348,51853,18655,260Subah1751263 33.25.14 Pecalungan 44.0529,95932,51933,626Pecalungan1051262 33.25.10 Tulis 33.4233,42538,78541,422Kaliboyo1751254- 51263 33.25.13 Kandeman 40.6445,30554,60259,394Kandeman1351261 33.25.11 Batang (town) 39.39118,539133,738140,904Watesalit21 (a) 51211- 5111633.25.12 Warungasem 24.4545,69653,49157,371Banjiran1851252 Totals 857.21706,764801,718847,175Batang248
Note: (a) comprises nine urban kelurahan (Karangasem Selatan, Karangasem Utara, Kasepuhan, Kauman, Proyonanggan Selatan, Proyonanggan Tengah, Proyonanggan Utara, Sambong and Watesalit) and twelve rural desa.
Attractions These include:
Curug Genting 40m waterfall surrounded by pine forest, about 38 km southward (Blado District). Ujungnegoro Coast, 4 km northeastward, coast with steep edge, very rare in North Java. Aswotomo cave and small graveyard established by the Muslim missionary Syeikh Maulana Maghribi. Canoes can be hired and there is fishing. Curug Gombong: 13 m waterfall that divides naturally layered stones (raj stones), situated in Gombong village, about 6 km south of Subah District. Agrotourism: Pagilaran tea plantation in Andongsili hill and others, about 40 km to the mountain. There is a "tea walk" and tea products are on sale. Accommodation is available. Batang Beach: About 3 km from town northward. Watch the sunrise and take a look at fishermen's lives.
Special events Every "Jumat Kliwon" night (the night before a particular Friday, which coincides with the mystical fifth day of Kliwon of the Javanese calendar) people gather in the town square, creating a monthly festival with hundreds of street vendors selling goods. It occurs every 35 days.
People related to Batang Regency Goenawan Mohamad - democracy activist, writer and also prominent national press figure, was born in Batang.
References
External links Batang Regency Government - official site
» Berita Seputar Kabupaten Batang - Batang Update