Bochaganj Upazila

Bochaganj (বোচাগঞ্জ) is an upazila of Dinajpur District in the division of Rangpur, Bangladesh. Setabganj town is the headquarter of Bochaganj Upazila unlike many other Upazila and district of Bangladesh. Setabganj town is the closest in location to district headquarters among other Upazila headquarters of Dinajpur.

Bochaganj Upazila consists of large agricultural lands which produce different crops, high-quality rice, cooking ingredients, cane, and crafts. Historical weekly rural shopping zone which is also called Hat in this area is popular by the people of the districts.

Geography
Bochaganj is located at 25.8°N, 88.4611°W. It has 39,246 households and total area of 224.81 km2.

Bochaganj Upazila is bounded by Birganj Upazila in Dinajpur District and Pirganj Upazila in Rangpur district on the north, Birganj, Kaharole and Biral Upazilas on the east, Biral Upazila and Kaliaganj CD Block in Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India, on the south, and Pirganj Upazila on the west.

Demographics
According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Bochaganj Upazila had 39,246 households and a population of 160,049. 34,664 (21.66%) were under 10 years of age. Bochaganj had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 52.56%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 990 females per 1000 males. 27,335 (17.08%) lived in urban areas. Ethnic population was 3,115 (1.95%), of which Santal were 2,322.

As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Bochaganj has a population of 135376. Males constitute 51.7% of the population, and females 48.3%. Upazila's population, older than 18, is 64312. Bochaganj has an average literacy rate of 30.2% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.

Administration
Previously known as Bochaganj Thana, formed in 1915, was turned into an upazila in 1984.

Bochaganj Upazila is divided into Setabganj Municipality and six union parishads namely: Atgaon, Eshania, Murshidhat, Nafanagar, Rongaon, and Shatail. The union parishads are subdivided into 144 mauzas and 141 villages.

Setabganj Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 33 mahallas.