Chitradurga district in Karnataka covers 8,436 sq.km and had a population of 17.9 lakhs (projected) in 2021 which is expected to reach close to 19.5 lakhs by 2036. The population had increased by 9.33% in the decade 2001-2011. The sex ratio in 2011 was 974 females per 1000 males, with approximately 20% of the population residing in urban areas. The density was 197 persons per sq.km mainly in rural areas.
Quick Overview of Chitradurga District Census 2021 & Projections
- District Name: Chitradurga
- State: Karnataka
- Area: 8,436 sq.km
- 2021 Projected Population: 1,790,000
- 2025 Projected Population: 1,857,206
- 2026 Projected Population: 1,867,304
- 2036 Projected Population: 1,946,684
- 2011 Census Population: 1,659,456
- Population Growth Rate (2001-2011): 9.33%
- Sex Ratio (2011): 974 females/1000 males
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 947 girls/1000 boys
- Density (2011): 197 persons/sq.km
- Urban Population (2011): 19.86% (329,533)
- Rural Population (2011): 80.14% (1,329,923)
- Total Households (2011): 357,003
Historic Population & Growth (1901–2011)
| Census Year | Population | Growth % | Male | Female |
| 1901 | 354,308 | – | 180,000 | 174,000 |
| 1911 | 393,953 | 11.19% | 200,000 | 194,000 |
| 1921 | 408,588 | 3.71% | 210,000 | 199,000 |
| 1931 | 462,953 | 13.31% | 237,000 | 226,000 |
| 1941 | 505,565 | 9.20% | 261,000 | 245,000 |
| 1951 | 588,497 | 16.40% | 303,000 | 286,000 |
| 1961 | 741,344 | 25.97% | 382,000 | 360,000 |
| 1971 | 899,257 | 21.30% | 462,000 | 437,000 |
| 1981 | 1,089,304 | 21.13% | 558,000 | 531,000 |
| 1991 | 1,312,717 | 20.51% | 673,000 | 640,000 |
| 2001 | 1,517,896 | 15.63% | 776,221 | 741,675 |
| 2011 | 1,659,456 | 9.33% | 840,843 | 818,613 |
Population Projections Up to 2036
| Year | Estimated Population | Total Growth Since 2011 | Annual Growth |
| 2025 | 1,857,206 | 11.92% | ↑ |
| 2026 | 1,867,304 | 12.53% | 0.61% ↑ |
| 2027 | 1,876,430 | 13.07% | 0.54% ↑ |
| 2028 | 1,885,556 | 13.62% | 0.55% ↑ |
| 2029 | 1,894,682 | 14.17% | 0.55% ↑ |
| 2036 | 1,946,684 | 17.31% | 0.42% ↑ |
Religion-Wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | Percent |
|---|
| Hindu | 1,520,553 | 91.63% |
| Muslim | 128,751 | 7.76% |
| Christian | 3,175 | 0.19% |
| Jain | 3,778 | 0.23% |
| Sikh | 322 | 0.02% |
| Buddhist | 84 | 0.01% |
| Others/not stated | 2,665 | 0.16% |
Urban & Rural Population (2011 Split)
| Area | Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio | Child (0-6) | Lit. Rate |
| Urban |
329,533 |
165,270 |
164,263 |
994 |
948 |
34,986 |
85.89% |
| Rural |
1,329,923 |
675,573 |
654,350 |
969 |
947 |
149,294 |
70.68% |
Literacy Rate (2011, By Gender, Area, Religion)
| Category | Avg Literacy | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
|---|
| Total | 73.71% | 81.37% | 65.88% |
| Urban | 85.89% | 90.22% | 81.55% |
| Rural | 70.68% | 79.19% | 61.91% |
| Hindu | 72.97% | 80.98% | 64.76% |
| Muslim | 81.61% | 85.25% | 77.90% |
| Christian | 84.59% | 88.55% | 81.14% |
| Jain | 94.83% | 97.09% | 92.4% |
SC/ST & Child Population (2011)
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 389,117 (23.45%, 978 sex ratio)
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 302,554 (18.23%, 979 sex ratio)
- Child Population (0-6): 184,280 (11.1%)
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 947 girls/1000 boys
Sex Ratio by Area/Religion (2011)
| Category | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| Total | 974 |
| Urban | 994 |
| Rural | 969 |
| Hindu | 973 |
| Muslim | 980 |
| Christian | 1129 |
| Jain | 931 |
Workforce, Households (2011)
- Total Workers: 856,587 (51.62% of population), Male: 513,311, Female: 343,276
- Households: 357,003
- Houseless Population: 1,260 (283 families)
Languages Spoken (2011)
- Kannada: 83.33%
- Urdu: 7.33%
- Telugu: 5.39%
- Lambadi: 2.29%
Taluk/Subdistrict List
| Taluk Name |
|---|
| Challakere |
| Chitradurga |
| Hiriyur |
| Holalkere |
| Hosadurga |
| Molakalmuru |
- Total Towns: 8
- Total Villages: 1,063
Major Cities List
| City | Population | Male | Female |
| Chitradurga UA |
145,853 |
73,020 |
72,833 |
| Chitradurga (Municipal Council) |
140,206 |
70,132 |
70,074 |
Education, Economy & Notable People
- Backward Regions Grant Fund district
- Main crops: ragi, groundnut, paddy, jowar, pulses, chillies, cotton, sunflower, horticulture
- Key rivers: Vedavati, Tungabhadra
- Historic places: Chitradurga Fort, Chandravalli caves, Nayaka dynasties, Onake Obavva, Malladihalli Raghavendra Swamiji, Ta.Ra.Su, Krishnamacharya (father of modern yoga), S. Nijalingappa, P.R. Thippeswamy
- Major languages: Kannada (Chitradurga Kannada), Urdu, Telugu, Lambadi
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Chitradurga's population (2011/2021/2025)?
A: 2011: 1,659,456; 2021: 1.79 million; 2025: 1.86 million
- Q: What are major religions/languages?
A: Hindu (91.63%), Muslim (7.76%), Kannada (83.33%), Urdu, Telugu, Lambadi
- Q: What is urban/rural split?
A: Urban: 19.86%; Rural: 80.14%
- Q: What is literacy rate, sex ratio, child ratio?
A: Literacy: 73.71% overall; Sex ratio: 974; Child sex ratio: 947
- Q: What is SC/ST percentage?
A: SC: 23.45%; ST: 18.23%
- Q: Notable people/places?
A: Madakari Nayaka, Onake Obavva, Krishnamacharya, Chitradurga fort, Chandravalli, S. Nijalingappa
- Q: Famous for?
A: Fort, historic Nayakas, yoga, folk heroes, backward fund, unique geology, agriculture
- Q: Major taluks/towns?
A: Chitradurga, Challakere, Hiriyur, Holalkere, Hosadurga, Molakalmuru