Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this Zone has a total population of 478,168, of whom 268,006 are men and 210,162 women. While 62,584 or 13.01% are urban inhabitants, a further 223,778 or 46.8% were pastoralists. The largest ethnic group reported in Jarar were the Somalis (98.92%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.08% of the population. Somali language is spoken as a first language by 99.62%; the remaining 0.38% spoke all other primary languages reported. 98.72% of the population said they were Muslim.