[4] The official estimate as of mid-2023 was 274,838, making it the second-largest city in the province after the provincial capital of Medan.

There are still many old (1950s) model English-manufactured Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) motorcycles with a capacity of 500 cc used as Auto rickshaws which are recognized by their distinctive loud sound.

In 1996, because of orderly traffic control, the city also won the Wahana Tata Nugraha Cup award.

Of the total economic activities in 2000, Pematangsiantar reached a GDP of Rp1.69 trillion, with the industrial market share making up 38.18% or Rp646 billion.

The motto of this city is Sapangambei Manoktok Hitei which comes from the Simalungun language which means working together to achieve a noble goal.

Descendants of this king still hold ceremonial titles as 'Raja Siantar' which are recognized by the Simalungan people even today.

35 of 1981, Pematangsiantar Level II Regional City was divided into four administrative districts (kecamatan) consisting of 29 urban villages (kelurahan) with an area of 12.48 km2, as inaugurated by the Governor of North Sumatra on March 17, 1982.

[1] The Batak people, especially the Toba and Simalungun, are the major ethnic group in Pematangsiantar, alongside sizeable Javanese and Chinese communities.

There are numerous houses of worship across the city, including one of the largest operating Buddhist temples in Indonesia.

Based on the production approach, the highest growth was achieved by the Electricity and Gas Procurement business field of 2.24 percent.

Another place of interest in the city is Vihara Avalokitesvara - a Buddhist Temple housing the Statue of Kwan Im.

Adjacent to the new complex and connected by a bridge across the Bah Bolon River, the old temple building was burned completely in a fierce blaze in May 2008.

Halal food is easy to find, with many nasi padang, satay, and bakso sellers scattered everywhere across Pematangsiantar.

Roti Ganda is the most famous souvenir food from Pematangsiantar, a plain pillow bread spread with Kaya or Serikaya.

Other variants of Roti Ganda include pandan leaf jam, chocolate and cheese.

Another notable culinary destination is Toko A1 Asli, one of the city's oldest confectionery shops, famous for its traditional teng-teng candy.

This crunchy sweet, made from sugar, peanuts, and sesame seeds, has become a popular souvenir from Pematangsiantar.

The toll road that connects Pematangsiantar to other cities such as Tebingtinggi, Kualanamu airport, and the provincial capital Medan has been finished in 2024.