The city is located in Yambio County, Western Equatoria State, in southwestern South Sudan, close to the International border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its location lies approximately 444 kilometers (276 mi), by road, west of Juba, the largest city in South Sudan and the capital of that country
Yambio is the headquarters of Yambio County, in which it lies. It is also the capital city of Western Equatoria State, one of the 10 states that constitute the Republic of South Sudan. Following the attainment of independence by South Sudan in 2011
Yambio and the surrounding communities are the ancestral home of the Azande ethnic group, who also inhabit neighboring parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.
In 1983, the population of Yambio was estimated at approximately 24,900, during the Sudanese national census conducted that year. In 2010, it was estimated that the town's population had risen to about 31,700 people. In 2011, another source estimated the population of the town at about 40,400. The table below summarises the population trends of the town, from all sources, for the last thirty (30) years.
A small road leads directly north out of town to a small town in South Sudan, called Li Rangu. However, the main thoroughfare through town is Highway A44. A44-East leads to Nara, South Sudan, and to the town of Ezo, South Sudan, at the border with the Central African Republic. Highway A44-East joins Highway A43 which goes south to Juba, the capital city of the country, or north to Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State, in the Bahr el Ghazal Region of the country.
Another smaller road comes off of A44-East and goes southeast to Yei, South Sudan, another town in Western Equatoria State. Yambio is also served by Yambio Airport.
