Papiu Ilarian

For the lawyer and revolutionary who grew up here, see Alexandru Papiu Ilarian.

Papiu Ilarian (formerly Budiul de Câmpie; Hungarian: Mezőbodon [ˈmɛzøːbodon]) is a commune in Mureș County, Transylvania, Romania composed of five villages: Dobra (Dobratanya), Merișoru (Bugusalja), Papiu Ilarian, Șandru (Sándortelep), and Ursoaia (Urszajatelep).

Papiu Ilarian Mezőbodon
Commune
Papiu Ilarian town hall
Coat of arms
Location in Mureș County
Papiu Ilarian Location in Romania
Coordinates: 46°33′N 24°12′E
Country	Romania
County	Mureș
Government
• Mayor (2020–2024)	Levente Varó[1] (UDMR)
Area	26.09 km2 (10.07 sq mi)
Elevation	361 m (1,184 ft)
Population  (2021-12-01)[2]	827
• Density	32/km2 (82/sq mi)
Time zone	EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)
Postal code	547445
Area code	(+40) 0265
Vehicle reg.	MS
Website	comunapapiuilarian.ro

Its first written mention is from 1332 as Budun (Bodon). The prefix "Mező", meaning 'field', in its Hungarian name refers to the Mezőség subregion where it lies. Romanian politician Alexandru Papiu Ilarian was born here in 1828, and the commune was named after him in 1925.

The commune is situated on the Transylvanian Plateau, at an altitude of 361 m (1,184 ft), on the banks of the river Icland. It is located in the western part of the county, 37 km (23 mi) from the county seat, Târgu Mureș.

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1850	1,209	—
1880	1,241	+2.6%
1890	1,297	+4.5%
1900	1,369	+5.6%
1910	1,552	+13.4%
1920	1,349	−13.1%
1930	1,629	+20.8%
1941	1,949	+19.6%
1956	2,193	+12.5%
1966	2,036	−7.2%
1977	1,434	−29.6%
2002	1,013	−29.4%
2011	963	−4.9%
2021	827	−14.1%
Source: Census data

The commune has a Hungarian majority. According to the 2002 census, it has a population of 1,013, of which 56.17% were Hungarians and 42.84% Romanians. At the 2021 census, Papiu Ilarian had 827 inhabitants, 57.19% of whom were Hungarians and 41.23% Romanians.^[3]

See also

• List of Hungarian exonyms (Mureș County)