Poniky (Hungarian:Pónik) is a village and municipality in Banská Bystrica District in the Banská Bystrica Region of central Slovakia.

History

In historical records the village was first mentioned in 1282. Before the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918, Poniky was part of Zólyom County within the Kingdom of Hungary. From 1939 to 1945, it was part of the Slovak Republic. On 23 March 1945, the Romanian Army dislodged the Wehrmacht from Poniky and it was once again part of Czechoslovakia.

Geography

Themunicipalitylies at analtitudeof 499 metres (1,637ft)and covers anareaof 59.03km2(22.79sqmi) (2025).

Population

Population statistic (10 years)
Year1995200520152025
Count1551156915691544
Difference+1.16%+0%−1.59%
Population statistic
Year20242025
Count15541544
Difference−0.64%

It has a population of 1544 people (31 December 2025).

Ethnicity

Census 2021 (1+ %)
EthnicityNumberFraction
Slovak150198.16%
Romani372.41%
Not found out191.24%
Total1529

In year 2021 was 1529 people by ethnicity 1501 as Slovak, 37 as Romani, 19 as Not found out, 9 as Czech, 6 as Other, 2 as Ukrainian, 2 as Russian, 2 as Hungarian, 1 as Irish, 1 as Italian, 1 as Rusyn, 1 as German, 1 as Moravian, 1 as Croatian and 1 as Albanian.

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

Census 2021 (1+ %)
ReligionNumberFraction
Evangelical Church63241.33%
Roman Catholic Church46730.54%
None37124.26%
Not found out181.18%
Greek Catholic Church181.18%
Total1529

In year 2021 was 1529 people by religion 632 from Evangelical Church, 467 from Roman Catholic Church, 371 from None, 18 from Not found out, 18 from Greek Catholic Church, 9 from Christian Congregations in Slovakia, 6 from Eastern Orthodox Church, 4 from Ad hoc movements, 2 from Other and not ascertained christian church and 2 from Other.