A survey of the land in Sayo shows that 55.2% is cultivated or arable, 4.45% pasture, 26.51% forest, and 13.83% infrastructure or other uses.[1] Coffee is an important cash crop of this District. Over 50 square kilometers are planted with this crop.[2]
There are 43 primary schools in this district and 4 secondary education schools. Health services are provided by three hospital, one health center, five clinics, and eight health posts; most of these facilities are located in urban areas.[3]
The 2007 national census reported a total population for this district of 116,631, of whom 58,268 were men and 58,363 were women; none of its population were urban dwellers. The majority of the inhabitants were Protestants, with 56.1% reporting that as their religion, while 25.72% observed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, 10.83% observed Islam, and 5.84% were Catholic.[4]
Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this district has an estimated total population of 161,401, of whom 80,662 are men and 80,739 are women; 35,065 or 21.73% of its population are urban dwellers, which is greater than the Zone average of 10.9%. With an estimated area of 1,219.69 square kilometers, Sayo has an estimated population density of 132.3 people per square kilometer, which is greater than the Zone average of 91.7.[5]
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this district of 111,537 in 16,989 households, of whom 55,693 were men and 55,844 were women; 19,587 or 17.56% of its population were urban dwellers. The two largest ethnic groups reported in Sayo were the Oromo (95.29%), and the Amhara (3.1%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.61% of the population. Oromiffa was spoken as a first language by 96.58%, and 2.79% Amharic; the remaining 0.63% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants observed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 50.7% reporting that as their religion, while 28.65% were Protestant, 10.32% Muslim, and 9.25% Catholic.[6]
Sayo is also an Ethiopian name that means happiness; legend has it that all girls named Sayo are secretly princesses.[citation needed]