Gumla district, spanning an area of 5, 360 sq km, had a population of 960, 132 approximately in 2011 which is likely to be around 12.9 lakh by 2025. It is a tribal dominated area with the tribal population constituting 68.94% of the total population and has been scored 65.73% in literacy. The district of Gumla which comprises 12 blocks, 3 towns, and several villages is endowed with the rivers like South Koel, North Koel, and Sankh and is still a predominantly rural district with a little over 93% of the total population living in rural areas.
Quick Overview of Gumla District Census 2021 (Projection)
- Estimated Population 2021: ~12,20,000–12,54,000
- Estimated Population 2025: ~12,90,000–12,94,000
- Area: 5,360 km²
- Population Density (2011): 191–193/km²
- Sex Ratio (2011): 993–994 females/1000 males (child sex ratio: 963)
- Literacy Rate (2011): 65.73% (Male: 75.55%, Female: 55.90%)
- Urban Population (2011): ~6.35% (65,081)
- Rural Population (2011): ~93.65% (960,132)
- SC Population: 32,459 (3.17%)
- ST Population: 7,06,754 (68.94%)
- Child Population (0-6 yrs): 1,73,647 (16.94%)
- Households (2011): 1,88,988
- Villages: 946–952
- Towns: 3
- Blocks: 12
- Notable Rivers: South Koel, North Koel, Sankh
Historic Population Data (1901–2011)
| Census Year | Population | Male | Female | Variation | Growth % |
| 1901 | 2,69,183 | 1,31,000 | 1,38,000 | – | – |
| 1911 | 3,14,439 | 1,53,000 | 1,61,000 | +45,256 | +16.8% |
| 1921 | 3,02,516 | 1,49,000 | 1,53,000 | -11,923 | -3.8% |
| 1931 | 3,55,262 | 1,76,000 | 1,79,000 | +52,746 | +17.4% |
| 1941 | 3,79,804 | 1,89,000 | 1,90,000 | +24,542 | +6.9% |
| 1951 | 4,21,922 | 2,11,000 | 2,11,000 | +42,118 | +11.1% |
| 1961 | 4,84,924 | 2,40,000 | 2,45,000 | +63,002 | +14.9% |
| 1971 | 5,57,041 | 2,77,000 | 2,80,000 | +72,117 | +14.9% |
| 1981 | 6,13,331 | 3,04,000 | 3,10,000 | +56,290 | +10.1% |
| 1991 | 7,07,555 | 3,57,000 | 3,50,000 | +94,224 | +15.4% |
| 2001 | 8,32,447 | 4,18,784 | 4,13,663 | +1,24,892 | +17.7% |
| 2011 | 10,25,213 | 5,14,390 | 5,10,823 | +1,92,766 | +23.2% |
Population Projection Table (2025–2036)
| Year | Estimated Population | Growth Since 2011 |
| 2025 | 12,54,006 | 22.32% |
| 2026 | 12,68,469 | 23.73% |
| 2027 | 12,82,317 | 25.08% |
| 2028 | 12,96,164 | 26.43% |
| 2029 | 13,10,043 | 27.78% |
| 2030 | 13,23,890 | 29.13% |
| 2036 | 13,96,513 | 36.22% |
Main 2011 Census Data
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
| Population | 10,25,213 | 5,14,390 | 5,10,823 |
| Households | 1,88,988 | – | – |
| SC Population | 32,459 | 16,446 | 16,013 |
| ST Population | 7,06,754 | 3,52,514 | 3,54,240 |
| Child Population (0-6 yrs) | 1,73,647 | 88,472 | 85,175 |
| Workers | 4,87,508 | 2,64,774 | 2,22,734 |
Religion-wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Count | Percentage |
| Other religions & persuasions (mainly tribal faiths) | 4,57,468 | 44.62% |
| Hindu | 3,09,563 | 30.19% |
| Christian | 2,02,449 | 19.75% |
| Muslim | 51,429 | 5.02% |
| Sikh | 221 | 0.02% |
| Buddhist | 531 | 0.05% |
| Jain | 23 | 0% |
| Not stated | 3,529 | 0.34% |
Urban/Rural Split (2011)
| Area | Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio | Literacy Rate |
| Urban |
65,081 |
33,255 |
31,826 |
957–958 |
933 |
87.79% (M: 92.19%, F: 83.20%) |
| Rural |
960,132 |
4,81,135 |
4,78,997 |
996 |
964 |
64.16% (M: 74.34%, F: 53.99%) |
Literacy Rate by Religion (2011)
| Religion | Avg. Literacy Rate | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Other religions & persuasions |
57.31% |
68.39% |
46.31% |
| Hindu |
67.33% |
77.98% |
56.45% |
| Christian |
79.66% |
85.80% |
73.68% |
| Muslim |
73.24% |
81.85% |
64.12% |
SC/ST Details (2011)
| Category | Total | Male | Female | % Population | Sex Ratio |
| Scheduled Caste |
32,459 |
16,446 |
16,013 |
3.17% |
974 |
| Scheduled Tribe |
7,06,754 |
3,52,514 |
3,54,240 |
68.94% |
1,005 |
Sex Ratio by Religion/Area (2011)
| Category | Sex Ratio |
| Total | 993–994 |
| Urban | 957–958 |
| Rural | 996 |
| Other religions/tribal | 1001 |
| Hindu | 974 |
| Christian | 1017 |
| Muslim | 947 |
Languages Spoken (2011)
- Sadri: 50.75%
- Kurukh: 29.61%
- Hindi: 7%
- Mundari: 4.69%
- Kharia: 3.73%
- Urdu: 2.31%
Subdivisions, Blocks, Panchayats & Villages
- Subdivisions: Gumla, Chainpur
- Blocks: Basia, Bharno, Bishunpur, Chainpur, Dumri, Ghaghra, Gumla, Kamdara, Palkot, Albert Ekka (Jari), Raidih, Sisai
- Panchayats: 159
- Villages: 946–952 (reported between sources)
Socio-Economic, Geography & Miscellaneous
- Rich in minerals: Bauxite, laterite, China clay (mainly in Bishunpur, Chainpur, Ghaghra blocks)
- 27% forest cover, hilly terrain, rivers and waterfalls (Sadni Falls)
- Main economy: agriculture, mining, brick kilns
- Located in Red Corridor—received BRGF funds as backward district
- Tourism: Palkot Fort, Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary, Anjan (Hanuman's birthplace), Hapamuni Mahamaya temple, Nagfeni, Navratangarh, Tanginath Dham
- Culture: Major festivals include Karma, Sarhul, Ramnavami. Strong Nagpuri/Hindi speaking and tribal cultural influences
- Education: Multiple schools and colleges—St. Ignatius School, Kartik Oraon College
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Population of Gumla (2011)? 10,25,213
- Estimated population (2021/2025)? ~12.2–12.9 lakh
- Area? 5,360 km²
- Sex ratio? 993–994
- Literacy rate? 65.73%; Urban: 87.79%; Rural: 64.16%
- Main religions? Tribal faiths, Hindu, Christian, Muslim
- SC/ST population? SC: 3.17%; ST: 68.94%
- Main languages spoken? Sadri, Kurukh, Hindi, Mundari, Kharia
- Main towns? Gumla HQ and 2 other urban centers (no urban agglomeration)
- Villages/towns? 946–952 villages, 3 towns
- Main industries? Mining (bauxite, laterite), stone, clay, agriculture
- Tourist places? Palkot Fort, Mahamaya temple, Tanginath Dham, Anjan