Kodagu district in Karnataka has an area of 4,102 sq.km. The population was estimated to be 560,000 in 2021 and it is forecast to go over 620,000 by 2026. Between 2001 and 2011 the population increased by 1.09% annually. The sex ratio in 2011 was 1,019 females per 1,000 males and the urban population accounted for 14.6% of the total population. The density was 135 people per sq.km, primarily rural.
Quick Overview of Kodagu District Census 2021 & Projections
- District Name: Kodagu (Coorg)
- State: Karnataka
- Area: 4,102 sq.km
- 2021 Projected Population: 559,600
- 2025 Projected Population: 620,599
- 2026 Projected Population: 623,973
- 2036 Projected Population: 650,499
- 2011 Census Population: 554,519
- Population Growth Rate (2001-2011): 1.09%
- Sex Ratio (2011): 1,019 females/1000 males
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 978 girls/1000 boys
- Density (2011): 135 persons/sq.km
- Urban Population (2011): 14.61% (80,988)
- Rural Population (2011): 85.39% (473,531)
- Total Households (2011): 142,716
Historic Population (1901–2011) & Decadal Growth
| Year | Population | Growth % | Male | Female |
| 1901 | 180,607 | — | 100,000 | 80,607 |
| 1911 | 174,976 | -3.12% | 97,280 | 77,696 |
| 1921 | 163,838 | -6.37% | 89,500 | 74,338 |
| 1931 | 163,327 | -0.31% | 90,580 | 72,747 |
| 1941 | 168,726 | +3.31% | 92,350 | 76,376 |
| 1951 | 229,405 | +35.96% | 125,000 | 104,000 |
| 1961 | 322,829 | +40.72% | 173,000 | 149,000 |
| 1971 | 378,291 | +17.19% | 198,000 | 180,000 |
| 1981 | 461,888 | +22.10% | 239,000 | 223,000 |
| 1991 | 488,455 | +5.75% | 247,000 | 242,000 |
| 2001 | 548,561 | +12.31% | 274,831 | 273,730 |
| 2011 | 554,519 | +1.09% | 274,608 | 279,911 |
Population Projections Up to 2036
| Year | Projected Population | Total Growth Since 2011 | Annual Growth |
| 2025 | 620,599 | 11.92% | ↑ |
| 2026 | 623,973 | 12.53% | 0.61% ↑ |
| 2027 | 627,023 | 13.07% | 0.54% ↑ |
| 2028 | 630,072 | 13.62% | 0.55% ↑ |
| 2029 | 633,122 | 14.17% | 0.55% ↑ |
| 2036 | 650,499 | 17.31% | 0.42% ↑ |
Religion-Wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | Percent |
| Hindu | 448,986 | 80.97% |
| Muslim | 87,274 | 15.74% |
| Christian | 17,130 | 3.09% |
| Jain | 250 | 0.05% |
| Sikh | 139 | 0.03% |
| Buddhist | 126 | 0.02% |
| Other/not stated | 614 | 0.11% |
Urban/Rural/SC/ST, Sex Ratio, Literacy, Child Population (2011)
| Area | Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio | Child (0-6) | Avg Literacy |
| Urban |
80,988 |
40,447 |
40,541 |
1002 |
974 |
7,952 |
91.48% |
| Rural |
473,531 |
234,161 |
239,370 |
1022 |
978 |
46,781 |
81.09% |
| SC |
73,584 |
35,759 |
37,825 |
1058 |
- |
- |
- |
| ST |
58,054 |
28,510 |
29,544 |
1037 |
- |
- |
- |
Literacy Rate (2011, by Gender/Area/Religion)
| Category | Average Literacy | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Total | 82.61% | 87.19% | 78.14% |
| Urban | 91.48% | 94.41% | 88.58% |
| Rural | 81.09% | 85.94% | 76.37% |
| Hindu | 81.55% | 86.18% | 77.05% |
| Muslim | 86.51% | 91.1% | 81.91% |
| Christian | 90.87% | 93.86% | 88% |
Sex Ratio by Category/Area/Religion (2011)
| Category | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| Total Population | 1,019 |
| Urban | 1,003 |
| Rural | 1,023 |
| Hindu | 1,026 |
| Muslim | 991 |
| Christian | 1,028 |
Languages Spoken (2011)
- Kannada: 30.91%
- Malayalam: 20.83%
- Kodava: 14.86%
- Tulu: 8.92%
- Are: 5.81%
- Yerava: 4.66%
- Tamil: 4.23%
- Urdu: 2.95%
- Kurumba: 1.74%
- Telugu: 1.55%
- Konkani: 1.16%
Workforce & Households
- Total Workers: 278,938 (~50.3%)
- Male Workers: 172,100
- Female Workers: 106,838
- Total Households: 142,716
- Houseless Population (2011): 1,629 (421 families)
City, Village, Taluk/Subdistrict List
- Number of towns: 5
- Number of villages: 296
- Main taluks: Madikeri, Virajpet, Somwarpet
| Taluk Name |
|---|
| Madikeri |
| Somwarpet |
| Virajpet |
Geography, Rainfall, Economy, History, Tourism
- Western Ghats, area: 4,102 km²; highest peak Tadiandamol (1,750m). Rivers: Kaveri, Harangi, Lakshmana Tirtha, Barapole
- Very high rainfall: 2,500–4,500 mm typically, >3,000mm most years, wettest zone in Karnataka
- Forests/National parks: Pushpagiri, Talakaveri, Brahmagiri sanctuaries; Nagarahole National Park; SAI Sanctuary
- Major crops: paddy, coffee (largest in India, 33% national share), pepper, cardamom, oranges, honey, rubber, cocoa, tea, ginger
- History: Home to Kodava people, ancient Sangam-era and Haleri dynasty, British colonial hill station, merged into Karnataka in 1956
- Main languages: Kodava, Kannada, Malayalam, Tulu, Are, Yerava, Tamil, Urdu, Kurumba, Telugu, Konkani
- Tourist sites: Madikeri (Raja’s Seat, Fort, Omkareshwara Temple), Talakaveri, Abbey & Mallalli Falls, Bhagamandala, Tibetan Golden Temple, Dubare Elephant Camp, Nagarahole, Iruppu & Chelavara Falls, Mandalapatti
- Famous for warriors, freedom fighters, military officers. Notable people: Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, Gen. Thimayya, Prema Cariappa, Daisy Bopanna, Rashmika Mandanna, B.N. Bopanna, Nidhi Subbaiah
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Kodagu’s population (2011/2021/2025/2036)?
A: 2011: 554,519; 2021: 559,600; 2025: 620,599; 2036: 650,499
- Q: Religion/caste/SC-ST/sex ratio data?
A: Hindu: 80.97%; Muslim: 15.74%; SC: 13.27%; ST: 10.47%; sex ratio: 1,019
- Q: Urban/rural split?
A: Urban: 14.61%; Rural: 85.39%
- Q: What is literacy rate?
A: Overall: 82.61%; male: 87.19%; female: 78.14%; urban: 91.48%; rural: 81.09%
- Q: Main languages spoken?
A: Kannada (31%), Malayalam (21%), Kodava (15%), Tulu (9%), Are, Yerava, Tamil, Urdu
- Q: Major taluks/towns/villages?
A: Madikeri, Somwarpet, Virajpet; 5 towns, 296 villages
- Q: What’s special about Kodagu’s culture/history?
A: Kodava people/warrior clan; unique cuisine/festivals; tea/coffee/orange/honey; freedom fighters; Sangam to British hill history
- Q: Workforce & household stats?
A: 278,938 workers (50.3%); 1.43 lakh households; 1,629 houseless
- Q: Geography/tourism?
A: Western Ghats, rivers, wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, Coorg hill tourism, temples, hiking, monsoon
- Q: Notable people?
A: Cariappa, Thimayya, Rashmika Mandanna, Daisy Bopanna, Rohan Bopanna, many armed forces/sports