<imagemap> File:2011_map_of_towns_and_cities_in_Devon_by_population.svg|300px|thumb|Interactive map showing the location of the towns and cities within Devon. The size of the circle corresponds to the size of its 2011 population and the shade of blue or red to its population growth or decline respectively. circle 416 949 80 circle 837 604 54 circle 826 862 40 circle 797 905 35 circle 922 701 29 circle 458 237 25 circle 772 810 25 circle 860 416 23 circle 835 948 20 circle 351 296 20 circle 847 778 19 circle 1029 637 19 circle 873 745 18 circle 404 785 18 circle 354 276 17 circle 554 947 17 circle 419 100 17 circle 1058 527 17 circle 781 785 16 circle 924 463 15 circle 741 530 14 circle 719 903 14 circle 725 740 13 circle 499 585 13 circle 1143 596 13 circle 1199 541 13 circle 657 1059 12 circle 406 361 12 circle 785 989 12 circle 965 696 11 circle 1004 572 11 circle 615 295 11 circle 776 725 10 circle 670 815 10 circle 650 850 10 circle 852 649 10 circle 1147 591 9 circle 256 509 8 circle 901 494 7 circle 655 1109 7 circle 572 520 7 circle 451 499 7 circle 168 319 7 circle 663 666 7 circle 612 655 6 circle 592 403 6 circle 1128 626 6 desc bottom-left </imagemap> This list is of towns and cities in Devon in order of their population, according to the 2021 census data from the Office for National Statistics. It comprises the Key Statistics for local authorities and civil parishes that attempt to show their populations. The largest settlement in Devon is the city and unitary authority of Plymouth with a population of 264,695, whereas the smallest settlement was the town and civil parish of Beer with a population of 1,283. The city of Exeter, which is home to Exeter Cathedral, is the county town and headquarters of Devon County Council. The ceremonial county of Devon includes unitary authority areas of Plymouth and Torbay, but the non-metropolitan county of Devon excludes such unitary authority areas. It is governed by Devon County Council, whereas Plymouth and Torbay can govern themselves on matters such as transport and education.
Traditionally a town is any settlement which has received a charter of incorporation, more commonly known as a town charter, approved by the monarch. However, since 1974, any civil parish has the right to declare itself as a town. Prior to 1888, city status was given to settlements home to a cathedral of the Church of England such as Exeter. After 1888 it was no longer a necessary condition, leading to Plymouth gaining city-status in 1928. Historical towns such as Plympton, Stonehouse and Devonport, which were merged into the city of Plymouth, have not been included, as well as Topsham, which became a part of Exeter's urban district, and St Marychurch, which was annexed by Torquay. However, the unitary authority area of Torbay recognises the three towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
Changes to population structures have, however, led to explosions in non-traditional settlements that do not fall into traditional, bureaucratic definitions of 'towns'. Several villages, which are not included in this list, have grown steadily and are more populous than many towns. For example, the ward of Fremington, with a population of 5,231 would be ranked 35 whilst its neighbour Braunton civil parish, with a population of 8,210, would be ranked 23.