Chikmagalur district, located in Karnataka, has an area of 7,202 sq. km and its population was projected to be 1.13 million in 2021, which will further increase to 1.28 million by 2026. The rate of population growth between 2001 and 2011 was -0.26%. The sex ratio in 2011 was 1009 females per 1000 males and the urban population constituted 21%. The population density was 158 people per sq.km and it was predominantly rural.
Quick Overview of Chikmagalur District Census 2021 & Projections
- District Name: Chikmagalur (Chikkamagaluru)
- State: Karnataka
- Area: 7,202 sq.km
- 2021 Projected Population: 1,130,000 (11.3 lakhs)
- 2025 Projected Population: 1,273,567 (12.74 lakhs)
- 2026 Projected Population: 1,280,491 (12.8 lakhs)
- 2036 Projected Population: 1,334,926 (13.35 lakhs)
- 2011 Census Population: 1,137,961
- Population Growth Rate (2001–2011): -0.26%
- Sex Ratio (2011): 1009 females/1000 males (urban: 1012, rural: 1008)
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 969 girls/1000 boys
- Density (2011): 158 persons/sq.km
- Urban Population (2011): 21.05% (239,508)
- Rural Population (2011): 78.95% (898,453)
- Total Households (2011): 276,085
Historical Population (1901–2011)
| Year | Population | Growth % | Male | Female |
| 1901 | 359,270 | — | 188,000 | 171,000 |
| 1911 | 338,457 | -5.79% | 177,000 | 161,000 |
| 1921 | 333,538 | -1.45% | 175,000 | 159,000 |
| 1931 | 347,715 | +4.25% | 184,000 | 163,000 |
| 1941 | 358,290 | +3.04% | 189,000 | 169,000 |
| 1951 | 417,538 | +16.54% | 220,000 | 197,000 |
| 1961 | 597,305 | +43.05% | 314,000 | 284,000 |
| 1971 | 736,647 | +23.33% | 380,000 | 356,000 |
| 1981 | 911,769 | +23.77% | 467,000 | 445,000 |
| 1991 | 1,017,283 | +11.57% | 515,000 | 503,000 |
| 2001 | 1,140,905 | +12.15% | 574,911 | 565,994 |
| 2011 | 1,137,961 | -0.26% | 566,622 | 571,339 |
Population Projections Up to 2036
| Year | Projected Population | Total Growth Since 2011 | Annual Growth |
| 2025 | 1,273,567 | 11.92% | ↑ |
| 2026 | 1,280,491 | 12.53% | 0.61% ↑ |
| 2027 | 1,286,749 | 13.07% | 0.54% ↑ |
| 2028 | 1,293,008 | 13.62% | 0.55% ↑ |
| 2029 | 1,299,266 | 14.17% | 0.55% ↑ |
| 2036 | 1,334,926 | 17.31% | 0.42% ↑ |
Religion-Wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | Percent |
|---|
| Hindu | 1,004,553 | 88.28% |
| Muslim | 101,235 | 8.90% |
| Christian | 26,000 | 2.28% |
| Jain | 4,710 | 0.41% |
| Sikh | 182 | 0.02% |
| Buddhist | 109 | 0.01% |
| Religion not stated/others | 1,172 | 0.10% |
Urban/Rural Population, Sex Ratio, Literacy, Child Stats (2011)
| Area | Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio | Child (0-6) | Average Literacy |
| Urban |
239,508 |
119,077 |
120,431 |
1012 |
963 |
23,123 |
87.93% |
| Rural |
898,453 |
447,545 |
450,908 |
1008 |
971 |
82,205 |
76.95% |
Literacy Rate (2011, By Gender, Area, Religion)
| Category | Average | Male | Female |
| Total Population | 79.25% | 85.41% | 73.16% |
| Urban Area | 87.93% | 91.40% | 84.51% |
| Rural Area | 76.95% | 83.82% | 70.15% |
| Hindu | 78.33% | 84.91% | 71.83% |
| Muslim | 86.03% | 88.65% | 83.43% |
| Christian | 87.13% | 90.77% | 83.57% |
| Jain | 92.41% | 95.41% | 89.22% |
SC/ST & Child Population (2011)
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 253,651 (22.29%), Sex ratio: 1029
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 44,970 (3.95%), Sex ratio: 1046
- Child Population (0–6): 105,328 (9.26%), Sex ratio: 969
Sex Ratio by Area/Religion (2011)
| Category | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| Total Population | 1009 |
| Urban | 1012 |
| Rural | 1008 |
| Hindu | 1010 |
| Muslim | 998 |
| Christian | 1021 |
| Jain | 939 |
Language Spoken (2011)
- Kannada: 72.74%
- Urdu: 7.39%
- Tulu: 5.52%
- Tamil: 3.75%
- Telugu: 2.79%
- Malayalam: 2.47%
- Lambadi: 1.97%
- Konkani: 1.30%
Workforce & Households
- Total Workers: 565,774 (49.72% of population)
- Male Workers: 357,889
- Female Workers: 207,885
- Total Households: 276,085
- Houseless Population: 2,023 (521 families)
City, Village, Taluk/Subdistrict List
- Number of towns: 9
- Number of villages: 1,117
- Main taluks: Chikmagalur, Koppa, Mudigere, Sringeri, Kadur, Tarikere, Narasimharajapura, Ajjampura
| Taluk Name |
|---|
| Chikmagalur |
| Kadur |
| Koppa |
| Mudigere |
| Narasimharajapura |
| Sringeri |
| Tarikere |
| Ajjampura |
| City | Population | Male | Female |
|---|
| Chikmagalur (Municipal Council) | 118,401 | 58,702 | 59,699 |
Geography, Climate, Economy, Agriculture, Transport, Tourism
- Major hills: Mullayanagiri (highest peak in Karnataka), Kudremukha, Kemmangundi
- Major rivers: Tunga, Bhadra, Netravati, Hemavathi, Vedavathi, Yagachi
- Forests: 30% of district (evergreen, wet/dry deciduous); Rainfall 1,000–5,000 mm, most in Western Ghats
- Major crops: coffee (India’s first and largest Arabica region), rice, ragi, maize, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, tobacco
- Industries: mainly agriculture, KIOCL iron ore (Kudremukh, now stopped), stone, commercial estate, coffee export/trading
- Towns: tourism at Sringeri Mutth, Amritapura, Baba Budan Giri, waterfalls, Bhadra dam, heritage sites
- Road/rail/air links, major highway NH-69, NH-173; rail at Birur, Kadur, Chikmagalur, Ajjampura
Education
- 13 degree colleges (Kuvempu University affiliated), 1620 primary schools, 235 secondary schools in district (2011 figures)
- Sringeri highest literacy rate (92.68%), Kadur lowest (74.33%)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Chikmagalur population (2011/2021/2025/2036)?
A: 2011: 1,137,961; 2021: 1,130,000; 2025: 1,273,567; 2036: 1,334,926
- Q: What is sex ratio?
A: 1009; urban 1012; rural 1008; SC 1029; ST 1046; Child 969
- Q: Urban/rural breakdown?
A: Urban: 21.05%; Rural: 78.95%
- Q: Religion, SC/ST stats?
A: Hindu: 88.28%; Muslim: 8.9%; SC: 22.29%; ST: 3.95%
- Q: What is literacy rate?
A: 79.25%; male 85.41%; female 73.16%; urban 87.93%; rural 76.95%
- Q: Major taluks, cities, villages?
A: Chikmagalur, Koppa, Mudigere, Sringeri, Kadur, Tarikere, Narasimharajapura, Ajjampura; 9 towns, 1,117 villages
- Q: Main languages spoken?
A: Kannada (72.74%), Urdu (7.39%), Tulu, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Lambadi, Konkani
- Q: Economic, tourism, coffee facts?
A: India’s Arabica coffee capital; heritage Hoysala temples, Baba Budan Giri, Kudremukh, Sringeri, waterfall, highest peak
- Q: Workforce, household stats?
A: 565,774 workers; 276,085 households; 2,023 houseless
- Q: Education note?
A: Sringeri 92.68% highest literacy, Kadur 74.33% lowest; Kuvempu University, 13 colleges