Ilava (; German: Illau, Hungarian: Illava) is a town in the Trenčín Region, northwestern Slovakia.
Geography
The municipality lies at an altitude of 313 metres (1,027 ft) and covers an area of 24.30 km2 (9.38 sq mi) (2025).
Name
The name is of uncertain origin. The historic medieval names were Lewe, Lewa (the same historic name as Levice), Lewa de cidca fluviom Vag, later Ilava. The form Illava is known from the 19th century and was used after the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867.
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 4,596 | — |
| 1980 | 5,188 | +12.9% |
| 1991 | 5,531 | +6.6% |
| 2001 | 5,411 | −2.2% |
| 2011 | 5,391 | −0.4% |
| 2021 | 5,572 | +3.4% |
| Source: Censuses | ||
| Year | 1995 | 2005 | 2015 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | 5446 | 5414 | 5474 | 5455 |
| Difference | −0.58% | +1.10% | −0.34% |
| Year | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Count | 5522 | 5455 |
| Difference | −1.21% |
It has a population of 5455 people (31 December 2025).
Ethnicity
In year 2021 was 5572 people by ethnicity 5239 as Slovak, 311 as Not found out, 66 as Czech, 16 as Other, 8 as Hungarian, 7 as Russian, 5 as Italian, 3 as Irish, 3 as Vietnamese, 3 as Ukrainian, 3 as Albanian, 2 as Romani, 2 as Rusyn, 1 as Jewish, 1 as Chinese, 1 as Serbian, 1 as Austrian, 1 as German, 1 as Canadian and 1 as Bulgarian.
Note on population: The difference values of population numbers in the table "Population statistic" and in the sections "Ethnicity" & "Religion" is caused by the use of various statistical methods.
Religion
| Religion | Number | Fraction |
|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic Church | 3915 | 70.26% |
| None | 1091 | 19.58% |
| Not found out | 384 | 6.89% |
| Evangelical Church | 70 | 1.26% |
| Total | 5572 |
In year 2021 was 5572 people by religion 3915 from Roman Catholic Church, 1091 from None, 384 from Not found out, 70 from Evangelical Church, 17 from Ad hoc movements, 14 from Christian Congregations in Slovakia, 12 from Other and not ascertained christian church, 12 from Greek Catholic Church, 10 from Other, 9 from Apostolic Church, 6 from Islam, 5 from Paganism and natural spirituality, 5 from Jehovah's Witnesses, 5 from Buddhism, 4 from Eastern Orthodox Church, 3 from Calvinist Church, 3 from Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2 from Old Catholic Church, 2 from Czechoslovak Hussite Church, 2 from Church of the Brethren and 1 from Jewish community.
Notable people
- Ivan Baranka (born 1985), ice hockey player
- Mária Bieliková (born 1966), computer scientist
- Hana Burzalová (born 2000), racewalker
- Radoslav Ďuriš (born 1974), wheelchair curler
- Artur Gajdoš (born 2004), association footballer
- Katrina Grey (born 1991), actress
- Marcel Hossa (born 1981), ice hockey player
- Tomáš Kopecký (born 1982), ice hockey player, two-time Stanley Cup Champion
- Marek Kvapil (born 1985), ice hockey player
- Richard Pavlikovský (born 1975), ice hockey player
- Natália Prekopová (born 1989), biathlete
- Ľubomír Šatka (born 1995), association footballer
- Tomáš Tatar (born 1990), ice hockey player
- Pavel Traubner (1941–2024), neurologist
Twin towns — sister cities
Ilava is twinned with:
- Győr, Hungary
- Klimkovice, Czech Republic
- Mikołów, Poland
