Simdega district is spread over 3, 774 km² and its population was 684, 000 in 2021, which is anticipated to be 711, 000, 733, 000 by 2025. The district is predominantly a village area (92.84%) and the tribal population is considerable (70.78%). The rate of literacy is 67.99%. There are 450 villages and 1 town in the district. The number of people engaged in work is nearly 289, 000, i.e., around one-half of the total population.
Quick Overview of Simdega District Census 2021 (Projection)
- Estimated Population 2021: 6,84,000 (6.84 lakh)
- Estimated Population 2025: 7,33,384 (7.33 lakh), 7,10,500 (7.11 lakh) [Both sourced]
- Area: 3,774 sq.km
- Density (2011): 159–160/km²
- Sex Ratio (2011): 997 (urban: 962–963, rural: 999–1000, child: 969–976)
- Literacy Rate (2011): 67.99% (Male: 76.08%, Female: 59.92%)
- Urban Population (2011): 7.16% (42,944)
- Rural Population (2011): 92.84% (5,56,634)
- SC Population: 44,674 (7.45%)
- ST Population: 4,24,407 (70.78%)
- Child Population (0-6 yrs): 94,414 (15.75%)
- Households (2011): 1,18,288
- Villages: 450
- Towns: 1
- Blocks/Subdistricts: Bano, Bansjor, Bolba, Jaldega, Kersai, Kolebira, Kurdeg, Pakar Tanr, Simdega, Thethaitangar
- Workforce: 2,88,645 (48.14% of pop.; M: 1,59,867, F: 1,28,778)
Population Projections (2025–2036)
| Year | Estimated Population | Total Growth Since 2011 | Annual Growth |
| 2025 | 7,33,384 – 7,10,500 | 22.32% | ↑ |
| 2026 | 7,41,842 | 23.73% | 1.41% |
| 2027 | 7,49,941 | 25.08% | 1.35% |
| 2028 | 7,58,039 | 26.43% | 1.35% |
| 2029 | 7,66,156 | 27.78% | 1.35% |
| 2030 | 7,74,254 | 29.13% | 1.35% |
| 2036 | 8,16,727 | 36.22% | 1.17% |
Historic Population (1901–2011)
| Census Year | Population | Variation | % | Male | Female |
| 1901 | 1,79,857 | – | – | 87,390 | 92,470 |
| 1911 | 2,10,096 | +30,239 | +16.8% | 1,02,000 | 1,08,000 |
| 1921 | 2,02,128 | -7,968 | -3.8% | 99,760 | 1,02,000 |
| 1931 | 2,37,371 | +35,243 | +17.4% | 1,18,000 | 1,20,000 |
| 1941 | 2,53,770 | +16,399 | +6.9% | 1,27,000 | 1,27,000 |
| 1951 | 2,81,912 | +28,142 | +11.1% | 1,41,000 | 1,41,000 |
| 1961 | 3,15,806 | +33,894 | +12.0% | 1,57,000 | 1,59,000 |
| 1971 | 3,78,731 | +62,925 | +19.9% | 1,89,000 | 1,90,000 |
| 1981 | 4,03,900 | +25,169 | +6.6% | 2,00,000 | 2,03,000 |
| 1991 | 4,46,421 | +42,521 | +10.5% | 2,24,000 | 2,23,000 |
| 2001 | 5,14,320 | +67,899 | +15.2% | 2,57,000 | 2,57,000 |
| 2011 | 5,99,578 | +85,258 | +16.6% | 3,00,309 | 2,99,269 |
Main Census 2011 Data
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|
| Population | 5,99,578 | 3,00,309 | 2,99,269 |
| Households | 1,18,288 | - | - |
| SC Population | 44,674 | 22,150 | 22,524 |
| ST Population | 4,24,407 | 2,11,546 | 2,12,861 |
| Child Population (0-6 yrs) | 94,414 | 47,962 | 46,452 |
| Workers | 2,88,645 | 1,59,867 | 1,28,778 |
Religion-wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | Percent |
|---|
| Christian | 3,06,601 | 51.14% |
| Hindu | 2,01,524 | 33.61% |
| Other religions/Sarna | 73,930 | 12.33% |
| Muslim | 15,103 | 2.52% |
| Buddhist | 753 | 0.13% |
| Jain | 114 | 0.02% |
| Sikh | 51 | 0.01% |
| Not stated | 1,502 | 0.25% |
Urban/Rural Split (2011)
| Area | Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio | Literacy Rate |
| Urban |
42,944 |
21,884 |
21,060 |
962–963 |
976 |
85.46% (M: 89.22%, F: 81.54%) |
| Rural |
5,56,634 |
2,78,425 |
2,78,209 |
999–1000 |
968 |
66.59% (M: 75.00%, F: 58.23%) |
SC/ST Details (2011)
| Category | Total | Male | Female | % Population | Sex Ratio |
| Scheduled Caste |
44,674 |
22,150 |
22,524 |
7.45% |
1,017 |
| Scheduled Tribe |
4,24,407 |
2,11,546 |
2,12,861 |
70.78% |
1,007 |
Sex Ratio by Religion/Area (2011)
| Category | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| Total | 997 |
| Urban | 962–963 |
| Rural | 999–1000 |
| Christian | 1010 |
| Hindu | 985 |
| Other religions/Sarna | 994 |
| Muslim | 934 |
Literacy Rate (2011)
| Category | Avg. Literacy | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Total Population | 67.99% | 76.08% | 59.92% |
| Urban Area | 85.46% | 89.22% | 81.54% |
| Rural Area | 66.59% | 75.00% | 58.23% |
| Christian | 74.58% | 80.66% | 68.59% |
| Hindu | 62.74% | 73.12% | 52.26% |
| Other religions/Sarna | 51.12% | 62.07% | 40.13% |
| Muslim | 83.31% | 89.07% | 77% |
Languages Spoken (2011)
- Sadri: 53.91%
- Mundari: 22.50%
- Kharia: 15.44%
- Hindi: 4.02%
- Kurukh: 1.44%
- Urdu: 1.36%
Subdistrict (Block/Taluk) List
- Bano
- Bansjor
- Bolba
- Jaldega
- Kersai
- Kolebira
- Kurdeg
- Pakar Tanr
- Simdega
- Thethaitangar
Socio-Economic, Geography & Miscellaneous
- Majority Christian district, unique outside NE India
- Forested/hilly, notable for Kelaghagh Dam, Ramrekha Dham
- Economy: agriculture, forest produce, fishing, some mining
- Backwards region grant recipient, Red Corridor
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Population of Simdega (2011)? 5,99,578
- Projections for 2021/2025? 6.84–7.33 lakh
- Area? 3,774 sq.km
- SC/ST ratio? SC: 7.45%, ST: 70.78%
- Sex ratio? 997; urban 962–963, rural 999–1000, child 969–976
- Main religions? Christian (51.14%), Hindu (33.61%), Sarna/other (12.33%), Muslim (2.52%)
- Main spoken languages? Sadri, Mundari, Kharia, Hindi, Kurukh, Urdu
- Number of villages/towns? 450 villages, 1 town
- Literacy rate? 67.99%; urban 85.5%; rural 66.6%
- Key blocks/taluks? 10 listed above
- Main places? Kelaghagh Dam, Ramrekha Dham, Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary