| Santa Rita de Cássia | |
| Settlement Type: | Municipality of Bahia, Brazil |
| Flag Alt: | Flag of Santa Rita de Cássia |
| Shield Alt: | Coat of arms of Santa Rita de Cássia |
| Etymology: | Named after the patron saint Rita of Cascia |
| Map Alt: | Location of Santa Rita de Cássia in Bahia |
| Pushpin Map: | Brazil#South America |
| Pushpin Relief: | yes |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Brazil |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Northeast |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 26 March 1840[1] |
| Leader Title1: | Mayor |
| Leader Name1: | José Benedito Rocha Aragão (PSDB) (2021-2024)[2] [3] |
| Leader Title2: | Vice Mayor |
| Leader Name2: | Vilmedice Brandão (PSDB) (2021-2024) |
| Area Total Km2: | 6030.491 |
| Elevation M: | 440 |
| Population As Of: | 2022 |
| Population Total: | 27390[4] |
| Population Density Km2: | 4.54 |
| Population Demonym: | Santa-ritense (Brazilian Portuguese) |
| Timezone: | Brasília Time |
| Utc Offset: | -03:00 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 47150-000[5] |
| Blank Name: | HDI (2010) |
| Blank Info: | 0.605 – medium |
| Website: | santaritadecassia.ba.gov.br |
Santa Rita de Cássia (once called Rio Preto and Ibipetuba) is a Brazilian municipality in the state of Bahia. In 2020 the town's population was estimated as 28,481 inhabitants.[6]
In mid 17th century, a Portuguese couple traveled to the city of Ibipetuba, and when they left the city they forgot a Santa Rita de Cássia's image inside of the plain house where they had lodged. The new colonists, who established in that place, founded a farm called ""Ribeira do Rio Preto"", along the margins of Preto river, later on, its name was changed to Santa Rita Farm, due to the image that was found, and a chapel was built in honor to that saint. As the settlement grew rapidly, it became primitive village of Santa Rita do Rio Preto, attaining a Parish City Hall, with the creation of Santa Rita de Cássia's parish, in 1804. In 1931, its name was changed to Rio Preto, and later on, in 1943, Ibipetuba, that means ""sand-bank"". In 1957, its name was changed to Santa Rita de Cássia.
Agriculture (6th watermelon producer and 36th of cassava). According to JUCEB's registers, it has 24 industries, occupying the 117th place in units throughout the State of Bahia, and has 535 commercial businesses, retaining the 30th position. Its hotel park records 90 beds. The residential electricity use amounts to 78,45 kwh/hab - 122nd in ranking within the State.