Santa María is a city in Catamarca Province, Argentina. It is the head town of the department of the same name, a position that makes it the administrative centre for the surrounding area.
According to the 2010 census conducted by INDEC, the national statistics institute, the city had approximately 17,030 inhabitants. That figure places it among the notable urban centres of Catamarca Province, though it remains considerably smaller than the provincial capital.
The city's role as a departmental head town means it serves as the seat of local government for the department of Santa María. It is located in the western part of Catamarca Province, in northwestern Argentina.