Dibang Valley extends over 9, 129 sq.km and had a population of 8, 004 according to the 2011 census, which is estimated to vary between 8, 800 and 9, 903 in 2025. The area has a population density of 1 person per sq.km and the lowest sex ratio in Arunachal of 813 females per 1, 000 males. Nearly 30 percent of the total population are living in urban areas, and the literacy rate is 64.1%. The district headquarters is Anini, which has 1, 084 children below 6 years and a 70% rural majority.
Quick Overview of Dibang Valley District Census 2021 & 2025 Projection
- Population (2011 Census): 8,004
- Projected Population (2025): 8,800–9,903
- Male (2011): 4,414
- Female (2011): 3,590
- Estimated Males (2025): 4,442–5,461
- Estimated Females (2025): 4,142–4,442
- Area: 9,129 sq.km (largest Arunachal district by area)
- Population Density (2011): 1/km²
- Sex Ratio (2011): 813 (lowest in Arunachal after Tawang/West Kameng)
- Child Sex Ratio (0–6, 2011): 889
- Literacy Rate (2011): 64.1% (Male: 68.07%, Female: 59.16%, urban: 84%, rural: 55.6%)
- No. of Households (2011): 1,952
- Child Population (0–6, 2011): 1,084 (13.54%)
- Urban Population (2011): 2,384 (29.79%)
- Rural Population (2011): 5,620 (70.21%)
- District HQ: Anini (northernmost Arunachal HQ)
Population Growth (1961–2025)
| Year | Population | Growth (%) | Male | Female |
| 1961 | 3,221 | – | 1,550 | 1,671 |
| 1971 | 5,297 | +64.45 | 3,040 | 2,257 |
| 1981 | 6,912 | +30.49 | 4,072 | 2,840 |
| 1991 | 7,393 | +6.96 | 4,320 | 3,073 |
| 2001 | 7,272 | -1.64 | 4,286 | 2,986 |
| 2011 | 8,004 | +10.07 | 4,414 | 3,590 |
| 2025 | 8,800–9,903 | +14.8–23.7 | 4,442–5,461 | 4,142–4,442 |
| 2036 | 9,921 (proj.) | +23.94 | 5,417 (proj) | 4,491 (proj) |
Religion-wise Population (2011 & Estimates 2025)
| Religion | 2011 Pop | % (2011) | 2025 Projected Pop |
| Other religions and persuasions (Donyi Polo/Mishmi tribal) | 4,267 | 53.31% | 5,279 |
| Hindu | 3,141 | 39.24% | 3,886 |
| Christian | 223 | 2.79% | 276 |
| Buddhist | 126 | 1.57% | 156 |
| Muslim | 111 | 1.39% | 137 |
| Sikh | 7 | 0.09% | 9 |
| Jain | 2 | 0.02% | 2 |
| Not Stated | 127 | 1.59% | 157 |
SC/ST Details (2011)
| Caste | Total | Male | Female | % of Pop. | Sex Ratio |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 5,701 | 2,850 | 2,851 | 71.2% | 1,001 |
Urban/Rural, Household, Literacy, Child Data (2011)
| Area | Population (%) | Total | Male | Female |
Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio |
Literacy (%) | No. of Households |
Child Pop |
| Urban | 29.79% | 2,384 | 1,316 | 1,068 | 812 | 873 |
84.05% | – | 309 |
| Rural | 70.21% | 5,620 | 3,098 | 2,522 | 815 | 895 |
55.56% | 1,952 | 775 |
| Total | 100% | 8,004 | 4,414 | 3,590 | 813 | 889 |
64.1% | 1,952 | 1,084 |
Child Population & Sex Ratio (0–6, 2011)
- Total Children (0–6): 1,084 (13.54% of pop)
- Boys 0–6: 574
- Girls 0–6: 510
- Child Sex Ratio: 889
Literacy Rate by Religion (2011)
| Religion | Avg Literacy | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Other religions and persuasions | 64.22% | 70.35% | 58.27% |
| Hindu | 63.98% | 66.11% | 60.42% |
| Christian | 73.06% | 75.73% | 70.00% |
| Not Stated | 64.91% | 70.00% | 59.26% |
Sex Ratio by Religion (2011)
| Religion | Sex Ratio |
| Other religions and persuasions | 1,033 |
| Hindu | 603 |
| Christian | 843 |
| Not Stated | 985 |
Workforce Profile (2011)
| Work Type | Total | Male | Female |
| Main Workers | 2,525 | 1,642 | 883 |
| Cultivators | 807 | 433 | 374 |
| Agricultural Labourer | 51 | 45 | 6 |
| Household Industries | 17 | 14 | 3 |
| Other Workers | 1,650 | 1,150 | 500 |
| Marginal Workers | 1,030 | 586 | 444 |
| Non Working | 4,449 | 2,186 | 2,263 |
Full List of Subdistricts/Taluks/Circles (2021)
| Circle/Subdistrict Name |
| Anelih |
| Anini |
| Etalin |
| Kronli (Arzoo circle) |
| Mipi |
Village & Town Details (2011)
- Total Towns: 1
- Total Villages: 142
Households and Homeless Data (2011)
- Total households: 1,952
- No families found living without roof cover
Languages & Tribal Profile
- Major tribe: Mishmi (Idu), others: Taraon, Kaman, Degaru
- Main language: Idu Mishmi (approx. 25,000 speakers, Latin/Devanagari script)
Socio-Economic & Geographic Highlights
- District HQ: Anini (northernmost NE district HQ)
- Separated from Lohit (1980), split to Lower Dibang Valley (2001)
- Most sparsely populated district in India
- Wildlife: Mishmi takin, red goral, Gongshan muntjac, Sclater's monal, Mishmi giant flying squirrel
- Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary: 4,149 sq.km
- Major rivers: Dibang, Ahui, Emra, Mathun, Dri, Tangon, Ithun, Ange
- Assembly seat: Anini (Arunachal East Lok Sabha)
- Frontier Highway planned (passes through district)