In the 1994 Census this woreda had a population of 137,372, of whom 68,803 were men and 68,569 women; 11,579 or 8.43% of its population were urban dwellers. The three largest ethnic groups reported in Yirgachefe were the Gedeo (81.34%), the Oromo (10.89%), the Amhara (3.48%), the Gurage (2.2%), and the Silte (0.73%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.36% of the population.
In 1994, the woreda had a population of 137,372 people, with 68,803 men and 68,569 women; 11,579 individuals (8.43%) lived in urban areas. The three largest ethnic groups were Gedeo (81.34%), Oromo (10.89%), Amhara (3.48%), Gurage (2.2%), and Silte (0.73%). Other ethnicities made up 1.36% of the population.