It has a population of about 45,321, the sixth-largest community in the state in population. It is located at the intersection of Federal Highways 125 and 190. The name of "Huajuapan" comes from the Nahuatl words "huaxin" = huaje, "ohtli" = road, and "apan" = river. Literally, River of the "huajes". The town was elevated to an honorary Mexican status in June 1843 in remembrance of "The siege of Huajuapan", a battle between the royal army and the insurgents led by José María Morelos. The battle was won by the insurgents. The city was named after Antonio de León, a hero of the Mexican War of Independence.