Central Aceh Regency () is a regency in Aceh province of Indonesia. It is located on Sumatra island. Formerly this regency covered a much larger area; on 4 June 1974, the Southeast Aceh Regency was separated from the Central Aceh Regency, and on 18 December 2003 the Bener Meriah Regency was separated from the remaining Central Aceh Regency.
The remaining regency covers an area of 4,527.53 square kilometres and had a population of 175,527 according to the 2010 census,Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. which rose to 215,576 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as of mid 2025 was 236,866 (comprising 119,551 males and 117,315 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Aceh Tengah Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1106) Most of its inhabitants are Gayo. Central Aceh is famous for its Lake Laut Tawar. Its capital is Takengon, in Lut Tawar District.
The residual regency is the main centre of coffee production within Aceh province and is home to the Gayo people who are mostly concentrated in this regency and in the neighbouring Bener Meriah Regency and Gayo Lues Regency.
Geography The regency borders Pidie Regency, Bireuen Regency and Bener Meriah Regency to the north, East Aceh Regency to the east, Gayo Lues Regency to the south and West Aceh, Pidie, and Nagan Raya regencies to the west.
Central Aceh District is a highland area with an altitude between 200 – 2600 metres above sea level and with an area of 4,527.53 km2.
Administrative districts The regency is divided administratively into fourteen districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as of mid 2025.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Aceh Tengah Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1106) The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages (gampong) in each district, and its post code(s). KodeWilayah Name ofDistrict(kecamatan) Area in km2 Pop'nCensus2010 Pop'nCensus2020 Pop'nEstimatemid 2025 Admin centre No. ofvillagesPostcode 11.04.01 Linge 1,862.66 8,75711,20112,369Isaq2624565 11.04.18 Atu Lintang 67.17 5,8036,9898,097Merah Mege1124563 11.04.19 Jagong Jeget 171.24 8,87110,35211,368Jeget Ayu1024564 11.04.08 Bintang 521.95 8,50410,77311,813Bintang2424571 11.04.17 Lut Tawar 87.59 17,96019,66420,259Takengon Timur1824511- 24516 11.04.11 Kebayakan 54.83 14,04117,90020,158Kebayakan2024517- 24519 11.04.07 Pegasing 271.78 17,64022,73325,870Simpang Kelaping3124560 11.04.20 Bies 14.01 6,4148,1629,131Atang Jungket1224561 11.04.03 Bebesen 29.57 34,34241,01043,272Kemili2824652 11.04.12 Kute Panang 35.15 6,8158,4009,279Ratawali2424568 11.04.02 Silih Nara 91.48 20,54224,58126,987Angkup3324569 11.04.10 Ketol 589.66 11,34214,92816,914Rejewali2524566 11.04.13 Celala 136.21 8,36710,29711,380Berawang Gading1724562 11.04.21 Rusip Antara 594.25 6,1298,5869,969Pantan Tengah1624567 Totals 4,527.53 175,527215,576236,866Takengon295
Politics
Its current regent is Drs. Shabela Abubakar, while his vice regent is H. Firdaus SKM. They have held the positions since 28 December 2017.
The Parliament Members are:
Ir. Syukur Kobath Golkar Saib Nosarios PKP Indonesia H. Zulpikar, AB, SE PNBK Kasmawi, SH, SE Golkar Drs. Samar Nawan Golkar Sabirin Golkar Mohd. Noh Golkar Yahman Demokrat Alamsyah Demokrat Hamzah Abd. Gani Demokrat Subahrin Demokrat M. Alasyah Yakub Persatuan Pembangunan Drs. Abdussalam Persatuan Pembangunan Banta Mude, SP Persatuan Pembangunan Drs. Yurmiza Putra Patriot Pancasila Ir. Amiruddin Patriot pancasila Adraka Ahfa PKP Indonesia H.M. Yusbi Hakim Kebangsaan Demokrasi H. Marsito, MR Kebangsaan Demokrasi Wajadal Muna, SH Amanat Nasional Nurdin Bintang Reformasi Bardan Sahidi, S.Pdi Keadilan Sejahtera Ir. Ampera Karya Peduli Bangsa Drs. H. Mustafa Ali Bulan Bintang Halidin Sarikat Indonesia
Tourism There are several tourist attractions, such as Danau Laut Tawar, Pantan Terong (scenery attraction), Gunung Burni Telong (hot spring), Taman Buru Linge Isak (hunting), Gua Loyang Koro, Lingga Isaq Game Reserve, Loyang Pukes, Loyang Datu, Burni Klieten (hiking), and Krueng Peusangan (rafting).
Airport Rembele Airport is the airport for the town of Takengon.
References