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Padangsidimpuan (also known as Padang Sidimpuan) is a city in North Sumatra, Indonesia, and the former capital of South Tapanuli Regency, which surrounds the city. It covers an area of 159.28 km2 and had a population of 178,818 according to the 2000 Census. This increased to 191,554 in the 2010 Census and 225,105 in the 2020 Census. The official estimate as of mid 2025 was 243,843, comprising 124,153 males and 119,690 females.

Padangsidimpuan City is located 448 km from the provincial capital, Medan, and is situated in the southwestern most part of North Sumatra Province.

City Gate Of Padangsidimpuan between Angkola Timur district and Padangsidimpuan Batunadua district A sign with the City name

Penduduk asli Padangsidimpuan ialah suku Batak Angkola. Namun seiring perkembangan zaman masyarakat Padangsidimpuan terdiri dari bermacam-macam etnis, antara lain Batak (Batak Toba, Batak Mandailing, Batak Angkola, Batak Karo, Batak Pesisir), Nias, Minangkabau, Jawa, dan Tionghoa. Dalam kesehariannya, bahasa yang dipergunakan adalah bahasa Batak Angkola. Selain itu juga dituturkan bahasa Indonesia, dan lainnya.

Around 1700, Padangsidimpuan was a small hamlet frequently visited by traders as a resting place. It was called "Padang Na Dimpu" in the Angkola language, where Padang means "expanse" or "wide area," na means "in," and dimpu means "high." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "a wide expanse in a high place." In ancient times, this area served as a stopover for traders from various regions, including fish and salt traders traveling the routes of Sibolga–Padangsidempuan–Panyabungan and Padang Bolak (North Padang Lawas)–Padangsidimpuan–Sibolga.

As the city developed, the Dutch Colonial Government, through Staatsblad Regulation No. 563/1937, elevated Padangsidimpuan to city status. At that time, the city was administratively divided into six Weks (Wijk in Dutch), as follows: Wek I (Kampung Marancar), Wek II (Pasar Julu), Wek III (Kampung Teleng), Wek IV (Kampung Jawa), Wek V (Pasar Siborang and Sitamiang), and Wek VI (Kampung Darek).

Over time, the city developed and became the economic center of the Tapanoeli Residency. This growth was fueled by the development of plantation industries such as rubber and coffee, as well as the trade sector, including the trading of salt (known as Sira in Angkola), fish, and other commodities from the surrounding area.

After President Sukarno proclaimed Indonesia's independence on August 17, 1945, news of the proclamation was brought by fighters from the Sibolga area and Bukittinggi. On July 15, 1947, Vice-president Mohammad Hatta visited Padangsidimpuan as part of a working visit from Bukittinggi to Medan, during the Dutch Military Aggression, which aimed to defend the Republic of Indonesia against Operation Kraai.

After Mohammad Hatta visited Padangsidimpuan, President Sukarno visited the following year. He was warmly welcomed upon his arrival and delivered a speech at Pasar Batu and a square (now the Grand Mosque Al-Abror/New Grand Mosque). He then continued his journey to Sibolga and Tarutung.

Several months after President Sukarno's visit to Padangsidimpuan, the Dutch violated the Renville Agreement and invaded Tapanuli in the early hours of December 19, 1948. Dutch soldiers breached the status quo line in Asahan by shooting and killing members of the Security Police who were performing their duties in the Republic's security area. On that day, the Dutch army also advanced from Rantau Prapat to Wingfoot (now Kotapinang).

On September 23, 1948, the Dutch army crossed the status quo line in Ajibata at 3:00 AM, and by 5:00 AM, their troops had landed in Balige. By transporting troops via Lake Toba, the Dutch army succeeded in breaking through the T.N.I.'s defenses. Meanwhile, the Dutch deployed paratroopers at Silangit airport in Siborong-borong. By midday, the Dutch army reached Tarutung. On December 24, 1948, at 9:00 AM, the Dutch army landed troops in Sibolga. All of these operations were carried out by the Dutch, including breaking the static line at Rakjat and Ajibata Islands, disembarking troops at Silangit, and landing troops in Sibolga, with support from airplanes that dropped bombs and fired machine guns.

On January 2, 1949, Padangsidimpuan was occupied by Dutch troops. That night, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), along with local youth, launched an attack on the Dutch troops in Padangsidimpuan. After the attack, they withdrew. Through Padangsidimpuan, the Dutch army was able to advance and occupy Pijorkoling.

After the recognition of sovereignty in the Dutch–Indonesian Round Table Conference, the South Tapanuli Regency People's Representative Council was formed on March 11, 1950. This was alongside the establishment of South Tapanuli Regency, which included Mandailing Natal Regency, Padang Bolak Regency, and Padangsidimpuan Regency. The formation was later reinforced by Law No. 7 of 1956, which established a 27-member People's Representative Council with its capital in Padangsidimpuan.

In 1982, through Government Regulation No. 32 of 1982, Padangsidimpuan's status was elevated to that of an administrative city, marking a step toward becoming an autonomous city. It consisted of two sub-districts: South Padangsidimpuan and North Padangsidimpuan.

Padangsidimpuan is a medium-sized city located in North Sumatra Province, southeast of Sibolga. The city was established in 2001 through Law Number 04 of 2001, which pertains to the formation of Padangsidimpuan City. Geographically, Padangsidimpuan is situated between 01º 08' 00" and 01º 28' 00" North Latitude and between 99º 13' 00" and 99º 20' 00" East Longitude. It has a tropical climate, with an average temperature ranging from 22.5 °C - 24 °C. The city is surrounded by several hills and is crossed by numerous rivers and streams. Padangsidimpuan stretches from northwest to southeast in the valley of Mount Lubuk Raya, part of the Bukit Barisan ridge, and features a mix of hills and lowlands, with elevations ranging from 260 metres to 1,100 metres above sea level.

The topography of the area is characterized by a valley surrounded by the Barisan Hills, giving the Padangsidimpuan city area the appearance of a basin resembling a lake when viewed from a distance. The highest peaks of the hills and mountains surrounding the city are Mount Lubuk Raya and Bukit (Tor) Sanggarudang, which are located side by side to the north of the city.

One of the notable hills in Padangsidimpuan is Bukit (Tor) Simarsayang. Several rivers flow through the city, including the Batang Ayumi River, Aek Sangkumpal Bonang (which is also the name of a shopping center in the city center), Aek Rukkare (which joins Aek Sibontar), Aek Batangbahal, and Aek Batang Angkola. The latter flows along the southern and southwestern boundaries of the city, meeting Aek Sibontar near Naposo Stadium.

Padangsidimpuan has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with moderate rainfall from June to August and heavy rainfall during the remaining months. The weather is mild throughout the year, with both rainy and sunny days.