Most of its permanent residents live in the small town of the same name, whereas primarily new development for the affluent population of Santiago concentrates in the southernmost and northernmost regions of the commune.

[2] According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Papudo has 4,608 inhabitants (2,382 men and 2,226 women).

[2] As a commune, Papudo is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a communal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years.

The communal council has the following members:[1] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Papudo is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Eduardo Cerda (PDC) and Andrea Molina (UDI) as part of the 10th electoral district, (together with La Ligua, Petorca, Cabildo, Zapallar, Puchuncaví, Quintero, Nogales, Calera, La Cruz, Quillota and Hijuelas).

[needs update] The commune is represented in the Senate by Ignacio Walker Prieto (PDC) and Lily Pérez San Martín (RN) as part of the 5th senatorial constituency (Valparaíso-Cordillera).