Bhopal district in Madhya Pradesh has an area of 2,772 square kilometers with a population of 2.94 million as of 2021, which is estimated to be 3.14 million in 2025. The population density was 855 people per square kilometer in 2011. The sex ratio is 919 females per 1000 males, and the urban population is 80.85%. Hindus(74%) and Muslims (22%) are the major religious groups. The city of Bhopal is the only major urban center in the district, which also comprises 3 towns and more than 500 villages.
Quick Overview: District Census 2021 (Bhopal)
- District: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Headquarters: Bhopal City (State Capital)
- 2021 Estimated Population: 2,940,000 (29.4 lakhs)
- 2025 Projected Population: 3,140,000 (31.4 lakhs)
- 2036 Projected Population: 3,175,790
- 2011 Census Population: 2,371,061
- Area: 2,772 sq km
- Density (2011): 855 per sq km
- Sex Ratio (2011): 919 F/1000 M (Urban: 921, Rural: 908)
- Literacy (2011): 80.37% (Male: 85.42%, Female: 74.87%)
- Urbanization: 80.85% urban, 19.15% rural
- Major Religions (2011): Hindu (74.05%), Muslim (22.16%)
- Towns: 3, Villages: 519 (as per 2011)
- Main Tehsils: Berasia, Kolar, Huzur
Historic Population Data (1901–2036)
| Census Year |
Population |
Growth |
Male |
Female |
| 1901 | 143,958 | - | - | - |
| 1911 | 156,354 | +8.6% | 80,720 | 75,634 |
| 1921 | 140,300 | -10.3% | 73,710 | 66,590 |
| 1931 | 163,747 | +16.7% | 86,320 | 77,427 |
| 1941 | 188,608 | +15.2% | 100,000 | 88,348 |
| 1951 | 235,665 | +24.9% | 124,000 | 111,000 |
| 1961 | 371,715 | +57.7% | 205,000 | 167,000 |
| 1971 | 572,169 | +53.9% | 311,000 | 261,000 |
| 1981 | 894,739 | +56.4% | 478,000 | 417,000 |
| 1991 | 1,351,479 | +51.0% | 715,000 | 636,000 |
| 2001 | 1,843,510 | +36.4% | 972,649 | 870,861 |
| 2011 | 2,371,061 | +28.6% | 1,236,130 | 1,134,931 |
| 2025 | 3,140,000 | Proj. | - | - |
| 2036 | 3,175,790 | Proj. | 1,636,619 | 1,538,868 |
Religion-wise Population (2011)
| Religion |
Population |
Percentage |
| Hindu | 1,755,861 | 74.05% |
| Muslim | 525,434 | 22.16% |
| Jain | 25,950 | 1.09% |
| Christian | 23,432 | 0.99% |
| Buddhist | 21,688 | 0.91% |
| Sikh | 10,789 | 0.46% |
| Other/Not Stated | 7,907 | 0.33% |
Population Breakdown (2011)
- Total Population: 2,371,061
- Male: 1,236,130
- Female: 1,134,931
- Child (0-6): 304,713 (12.85%)
- Male Child: 158,721 / Female Child: 145,992
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 920 F/1000 M
- Households: 501,805
Urban / Rural Population (2011)
| Area |
% of Dist. |
Population |
Male |
Female |
Sex Ratio |
Child Sex Ratio |
Literacy |
| Urban |
80.85% |
1,917,051 |
998,105 |
918,946 |
921 |
918 |
83.41% |
| Rural |
19.15% |
454,010 |
238,025 |
215,985 |
908 |
926 |
66.91% |
SC/ST Population (2011)
| Category |
Population |
% of Total |
Male |
Female |
Sex Ratio |
| SC | 357,516 | 15.08% | 185,902 | 171,614 | 924 |
| ST | 69,429 | 2.93% | 35,966 | 33,463 | 931 |
Sex Ratio Data (2011)
| Population Category |
Sex Ratio |
| Total Population | 919 |
| Urban Area | 921 |
| Rural Area | 908 |
| Religion |
Sex Ratio |
| Hindu | 902 |
| Muslim | 962 |
| Jain | 975 |
| Christian | 1012 |
Literacy Rate Details (2011)
| Category |
Avg Literacy |
Male Literacy |
Female Literacy |
| Total | 80.37% | 85.42% | 74.87% |
| Urban | 83.41% | 87.44% | 79.04% |
| Rural | 66.91% | 76.56% | 56.23% |
| Religion |
Avg Literacy |
Male Literacy |
Female Literacy |
| Hindu | 81.12% | 87.00% | 74.59% |
| Muslim | 76.20% | 78.66% | 73.64% |
| Jain | 96.15% | 97.25% | 95.01% |
| Christian | 92.81% | 94.03% | 91.61% |
Languages Spoken (2011)
- Hindi: 84.67%
- Urdu: 6.76%
- Marathi: 2.61%
- Sindhi: 2.23%
- Others: very small %
Workforce Profile (2011)
- Total Workers: 867,457 (36.59%)
- Male: 644,960
- Female: 222,497
City List & Towns (2011)
- Bhopal Metropolitan (Urban Agglo.): 1,886,100 (Male: 981,860 / Female: 904,240)
- Bhopal (Municipal Corporation): 1,798,218 (Male: 936,168 / Female: 862,050)
- Towns (total as per 2011): 3
- Villages: 519
- Main towns/urban: Bhopal, Berasia, Kolar
Tehsil (Subdistrict/Taluk) List
- Berasia
- Huzur (includes large part of Bhopal city)
- Kolar (declared separate tehsil in 2019)
Villages & Subdivision Notes
- Villages: 519
- Berasia (north), Huzur & Kolar (central/south)
- 3 main city areas: Bhopal, Berasia, Kolar
Tourist Places
- Van Vihar National Park
- Upper Lake (Bhojtal)
- Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
- Birla Mandir
- Regional Science Center
- Taj-ul-Masajid
- Kerwa/Bhadbhada Dam
FAQ: Bhopal District Census
- What is the population of Bhopal (2011/2021/2025)? 2,371,061 (2011), ~2.94m (2021), ~3.14m (2025 projected)
- What is the Hindu/Muslim population? Hindu: 1,755,861 (74%), Muslim: 525,434 (22.2%)
- Urban/rural split? 80.85% urban, 19.15% rural
- Sex ratio? 919 F/1000 M overall; urban: 921; rural: 908
- Literacy rate? 80.37% (male: 85.42%, female: 74.87%)
- SC/ST count? SC: 15.08%, ST: 2.93%
- Languages? Hindi (84.67%), Urdu (6.76%), Marathi (2.61%), Sindhi (2.23%)
- Number of towns/villages? 3 towns, 519 villages
- Biggest urban agglomeration/cities? Bhopal, Berasia, Kolar
- Main tehsils? Berasia, Huzur, Kolar