Pagadian City is a 1st class city in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. It is the capital city of the province, and the regional center of the Zamboanga Peninsula. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 162,515 people in 28,027 households. It is nicknamed the "Little Hong Kong of the South.
Situated on the northeastern side of the region, Pagadian City is the gateway to Zamboanga del Sur, the largest province of Western Mindanao. It is also a point of entry to the cities of Ozamiz, Iligan and Cotabato. Its rolling terrain encompassing both commercial and residential districts, reminiscent of the famous Crown Colony, has earned for it the sobriquet Little Hongkong of the South. Pagadian City has a total land area of 331.6 square kilometers with 54 barangays.
The name of Pagadian was derived from the Maguindanaon term pagad (wait) and padian (market), being a market during the Maguindanaon Sultanate.
Was aslo named Pangadjian then later named Pagadian
Pagadian City belongs to the 1st District of Zamboanga del Sur. Mayor Samuel S. Co is the Mayor for the second term.