It is now a business center whose commercial output runs parallel to that of downtown. San Francisco, the second largest barangay, along with San Joaquin, Santa Ines, Poblacion, Calumpang and other barangays are categorized as urban in view of their proximity to the city proper. Sapang Balen, with a population of persons, is the smallest barangay. Prior to , Mabalacat was a barrio barangay of Bambang, now Bamban, Tarlac. It became a town in , and was named after the abundant Balacat tree Ziziphus talanai , a fourth class timber tree with bark that possess antimicrobial properties. Once a settlement of an Aeta tribe, the area was a virtual forest of balacat trees. In Mabalacat had a population of 2, and four barangays, namely, Babangdapu, Duquit, Malabni, and Paglimbunan. By its population increased to 7, in 19 barangays.