Kottayam, Kerala extends to 2,206 km² and had a population of 1.975 million in 2011, which is estimated to grow to 2.177 million by 2036. The density at that time was 895/km². About 28.6% of the population were living in urban areas while most of the people lived in rural areas. 98.88% of the people speak Malayalam, while a small Tamil-speaking minority is found in the urban areas. The population is rising continuously, which shows development and a mix of different cultures.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021 & Projections
- District: Kottayam, Kerala
- Area: 2,206 km2
- Coordinates: 9°36′N 76°32′E
- Population (2011 census): 1,974,551 (~19.75 lakhs)
- Population (2021 projected): 1,990,000 (~19.9 lakhs)
- Population (2025 projection): 2,127,839–1,990,000 (21.28–19.9 lakhs)
- Population (2036 projection): 2,176,757 (~21.77 lakhs)
- Population Density (2011): 895/km2
- Urban population (2011): 565,393 (28.6%)
- Rural population (2011): 1,409,158 (71.4%)
- Main language: Malayalam (98.88%); small Tamil minority urban
Historic Population & Growth (1901–2036)
| Year | Population | Variation | % Change | Male | Female |
|---|
| 1901 | 450,615 | – | – | 229,000 | 221,000 |
| 1931 | 775,069 | 190,000 | +32.4% | 394,000 | 381,000 |
| 1961 | 1,313,983 | 182,000 | +16.0% | 661,000 | 653,000 |
| 1991 | 1,828,271 | 131,000 | +7.7% | 913,000 | 915,000 |
| 2001 | 1,953,646 | 125,000 | +6.9% | 964,926 | 988,720 |
| 2011 | 1,974,551 | 20,900 | +1.07% | 968,289 | 1,006,262 |
| 2025 | 2,127,839 | ~153,300 | +7.7% | 1,045,000 | 1,083,000 |
| 2036 | 2,176,757 | 48,918 | +2.3% | 1,070,389 | 1,106,491 |
Religion & Caste Statistics (2011 Census)
| Religion | Population | % |
|---|
| Hindu | 983,598 | 49.81% |
| Christian | 858,608 | 43.48% |
| Muslim | 126,499 | 6.41% |
| Other/not stated | 5,846 | 0.30% |
| Buddhist | 358 | 0.02% |
| Sikh | 204 | 0.01% |
| Jain | 83 | 0.00% |
| Group | Total | % | Male | Female | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| SC | 153,909 | 7.79% | 75,503 | 78,406 | 1039 |
| ST | 21,972 | 1.11% | 10,974 | 10,998 | 1003 |
Sex Ratio, Child Population, Density & SC/ST
- Average Sex Ratio (2011): 1040 females/1000 males
- Child Sex Ratio (0–6 yrs, 2011): 964 girls/1000 boys
- Urban Sex Ratio: 1052 | Rural Sex Ratio: 1035
- Population Density (2011): 895/km2
- Total Households (2011): 487,296
- Workforce (2011): 735,735 (37.3%) | Male: 530,322 | Female: 205,413
- Houseless (2011): 492 families/830 individuals (~0.042%)
Literacy Rate (2011): All Details
| Category | Average Literacy | Male | Female |
| Total | 97.21% | 97.97% | 96.48% |
| Urban | 97.48% | 98.24% | 96.75% |
| Rural | 97.10% | 97.86% | 96.37% |
| Religion | Avg Literacy | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Hindu | 96.74% | 97.71% | 95.81% |
| Christian | 98.00% | 98.43% | 97.59% |
| Muslim | 95.63% | 97.06% | 94.25% |
Urban/Rural Split & Child Data (2011)
| Category | Population (%) | Total Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio | Child Population (0–6) | Literacy Rate |
| Urban | 28.6 | 565,393 | 275,616 | 289,777 | 1,052 | 968 | 49,343 (9.1%) | 97.48% |
| Rural | 71.4 | 1,409,158 | 692,673 | 716,485 | 1,034 | 963 | 125,143 (9.2%) | 97.10% |
Major Cities, Towns, Urban Agglomerations
| Urban Agglomeration / City | Population | Male | Female |
| Kottayam UA | 357,302 | 174,182 | 183,120 |
| Changanassery UA | 127,987 | 61,807 | 66,180 |
- Other major towns: Vaikom, Pala, Erattupetta, Ettumanoor (6 municipal towns)
Taluks, Subdistricts & Village List
- Kottayam district: 5 taluks, 2 revenue divisions (Kottayam & Pala)
- Taluks: Kottayam, Changanassery, Vaikom, Meenachil, Kanjirappally
| Taluk | Sample Villages (See full list for all 100) |
|---|
| Changanassery |
Changanassery, Chethipuzha, Kangazha, Karukachal, Kurichy, Madappally, Nedumkunnam |
| Kanjirappally |
Cheruvally, Chirakkadavu, Edakkunnam, Elamgulam, Elikkulam, Erumeli North/South, Kanjirappally |
| Kottayam |
Akalakunnam, Anickad, Arpookara, Athirampuzha, Aymanam, Chengalam East/South, Ettumanoor, Kaipuzha, Kooroppada, Kottayam, Kumarakom, Manarcaud, etc. |
| Meenachil |
Bharananganam, Elackad, Erattupetta, Kadanad, Kadaplamattom, Kuravilangad, Meenachil, Pala, etc. |
| Vaikom |
Chempu, Kaduthuruthy, Kallara, Kothanalloor, Kulasekharamangalam, Manjoor, Mulakulam, Vaikom, etc. |
- Total revenue villages (2011): 100
- Number of cities/towns: 17
Languages
- Malayalam (98.88%)
- Tamil (small urban minority)
FAQs
- Q: What is Kottayam’s population in 2021 and 2025 projections?
A: 2021: ~19.9 lakhs; 2025: 21.28 lakhs.
- Q: What is the literacy rate?
A: 97.21% (overall, 2011); urban: 97.48%, rural: 97.1%
- Q: What are the top religions and shares?
A: Hindu: 49.8%, Christian: 43.5%, Muslim: 6.4%
- Q: SC/ST percentage and sex ratio?
A: SC: 7.79%, ST: 1.11%, ratio: 1039–1040 overall
- Q: Number of towns and villages?
A: 17 towns, 100 villages (revenue units)
- Q: Child population (0–6 years)?
A: 174,486 (8.8% of total, 2011)
- Q: Urban/rural split?
A: Urban: 29%; Rural: 71%
- Q: Major crops and industries?
A: Rubber, rice, publishing, rubber-based, coir (Vaikom area)
- Q: Highest literacy/lowest poverty facts?
A: First 100% literate (1989), lowest poverty (MPI=0)
- Q: Key colleges/universities?
A: CMS, SB College, MG University, IIIT, Govt. Med. College
- Q: Major cities/municipalities?
A: Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Erattupetta