Kannur District Population 2011–2025: Religion | Literacy | Density | Sex Ratio

Kannur District Kerala Census 2025/2011 – Population, Growth, Religion, Sex Ratio, Literacy, SC/ST, Rural/Urban, Language, Tehsil/Taluk Data

Kannur​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ district of Kerala is spread over an area of 2,961 km². It had a population of 26.2 lakh in 2021, which is expected to increase to 27.19 lakh by 2025. The population density was 852 persons/km² in 2011. The district with 65% urban population is proud of being the region in India with the highest sex ratio of 1136 females per 1000 males. Almost 99% of the people speak Malayalam which is a true indicator of their cultural heritage. The population is going up at a steady rate and is anticipated to be 27.81 lakh by ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌2036.

Quick Overview of District Census 2021 & Projections

• District: Kannur (Cannanore), Kerala
• Area: 2,961 km²
• Population (2011 census): 2,523,003 (25.23 Lakhs)
• Population (2021 projected): 2,620,000 (26.2 Lakhs)
• Population (2025 projected): 2,718,869 (27.19 Lakhs)
• Population (2036 proj.): 2,781,374 (27.81 Lakhs)
• Density (2011): 852 persons/km²
• Urban Population: 1,640,986 (65.04%)
• Rural Population: 882,017 (34.96%)
• Sex Ratio (2011): 1136 females/1000 males (highest in India)
• Child Sex Ratio (0–6 yrs, 2011): 971
• Main language: Malayalam (98.88%)

Historic Population & Growth (1901-2036)

Year	Population	Variation	% Change	Male	Female
1901	529,623	–	–	257,000	273,000
1951	904,470	161,148	21.68%	436,000	468,000
1961	1,177,948	273,478	30.24%	575,000	603,000
1971	1,552,809	374,861	31.82%	764,000	789,000
2011	2,523,003	114,047	4.73%	1,181,446	1,341,557
2025	2,718,869	195,866	7.76%	1,275,000	1,444,000
2036	2,781,374	62,505	2.3%	1,306,022	1,475,183

Religion-Wise Population (2011)

Religion	Population	%
Hindu	1,509,592	59.83%
Muslim	742,483	29.43%
Christian	262,526	10.41%
Sikh	424	0.02%
Buddhist	1,118	0.04%
Jain	193	0.01%
Other/not stated	7,385	0.30%

Urban/Rural, Density, & Households

Category	Total Population	Male	Female	Sex Ratio	Child (0–6 yrs)	Child Sex Ratio	Literacy %
Urban	1,640,986	755,764	885,222	1172	179,095	974	95.87
Rural	882,017	425,682	456,335	1073	95,223	966	93.67

• Total Households (2011): 554,298
• Towns: 67
• Villages: 56

Sex Ratio

Category	Sex Ratio
Total	1136
Urban	1172
Rural	1073

Religion	Sex Ratio
Hindu	1121
Muslim	1215
Christian	1018

Literacy Rate

Category	Average Literacy	Male	Female
Total Population	95.10%	97.19%	93.29%
Urban	95.87%	97.73%	94.31%
Rural	93.67%	96.23%	91.31%

Religion	Average Literacy	Male Literacy	Female Literacy
Hindu	95.19%	97.25%	93.38%
Muslim	94.02%	96.7%	91.9%
Christian	97.47%	98.07%	96.88%

SC/ST Population (2011 Census)

Group	Total	%	Male	Female	Sex Ratio
SC	83,350	3.30%	40,260	43,090	1071
ST	41,371	1.64%	20,141	21,230	1055

Child Population & Age Breakdown (2011)

• Total child population (0–6 years): 274,318 (10.87% of district)
• Male children: 139,159 | Female children: 135,159
• Child sex ratio: 971 (district avg), Urban: 974, Rural: 966
• Urban child population: 179,095 (12.01% of urban) | Rural: 95,223 (11.38% of rural)

City/Town/Subdistrict List & Stats

• Municipal Corporation: Kannur
• Major Municipalities: Thalassery, Payyanur, Taliparamba, Kuthuparamba, Mattannur
• Major towns and census towns (sample): Ancharakandy, Azhikode North, Azhikode South, Chala, Chelora, Cherukunnu, Cheruthazham, Chirakkal, Chockli, Dharmadom, Elayavoor, Eranholi, Iriveri, Kadachira, Kadirur, Kalliasseri, Kanhirode, Kannadiparamba, Kannapuram, Kottayam-Malabar, Mayyil, Mavilayi, Munderi, Muzhappilangad, Narath, New Mahe, Paduvilayi, Pallikkunnu, Panniyannur, Panoor, Pappinisseri, Pathiriyad, Pattiom, Iritty, Peralasseri, Peringathur, Pinarayi, Puzhathi, Thottada, Valapattanam, Varam.
• Subdistricts / Taluks: Kannur, Taliparamba, Thalassery (5 subdistricts, 11 blocks, 132 villages, 67 towns)

Languages Spoken

• Malayalam (98.88%)
• Tamil, Hindi, Kannada (urban minorities)

Workforce Profile (2011)

• Total workers: 824,116 (32.66%)
• Male workers: 609,377
• Female workers: 214,739

Notable Locations & Tourism

• Tourism: Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, St. Angelo Fort, Tellicherry Fort, Arakkal Museum, Payyambalam Beach
• Academy: Kerala Folklore Academy (Chirakkal)
• Education: Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), Government College of Engineering Kannur, Government Brennen College, S.N. College, etc.
• GI Tags: Payyanur Pavithra Ring, Cannanore Home Furnishings, Kuttiattoor Mango

FAQs

• Q: What is Kannur’s population projection for 2025?
  A: About 27.19 lakh (2,718,869) projected.
• Q: What is Kannur’s literacy rate?
  A: 95.10% (higher than national avg).
• Q: Which religions are most common?
  A: Hindu (59.8%), Muslim (29.4%), Christian (10.4%).
• Q: Urban vs rural population split?
  A: Urban: 65.04%. Rural: 34.96%.
• Q: SC & ST population share?
  A: SC: 3.30%; ST: 1.64% of total population.
• Q: What is Kannur’s sex ratio?
  A: 1136 females per 1000 males (district average); urban 1172, rural 1073.
• Q: Largest cities/towns?
  A: Kannur, Thalassery, Payyanur, Taliparamba, Kuthuparamba, Mattannur.
• Q: Major tourist attractions?
  A: Muzhappilangad Beach, St. Angelo Fort, Folklore Academy.
• Q: Workforce proportion?
  A: About 32.66% are workers.
• Q: Main industry/special products?
  A: GI-tagged items: Payyanur Pavithra Ring, Cannanore Fabrics, Kuttiattoor Mango.