According to the 2011 census, the population of the Palakkad district in Kerala has raised to 28.1 lakh. The population density of the area also increased from 627 to 659 people per square km. The population of the district which is spread over 4482 square km was 75.91% rural and Malayalam was the mother tongue of 93.71% of the people.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021 & Projections
- District: Palakkad, Kerala
- Area: 4,482 km2 (2nd largest in Kerala)
- Population (2011): 2,809,934 (28.10 Lakhs)
- Population (2021 projected): 2,980,000 (29.8 Lakhs)
- Population (2025 projected): 3,030,000 (30.3 Lakhs)
- Population (2036 projected): 3,097,688 (30.98 Lakhs)
- Density (2011): 627 persons/km2 (2018: 659/km2)
- Urban Population (2011): 676,810 (24.09%)
- Rural Population (2011): 2,133,124 (75.91%)
- Main language: Malayalam (93.71%), Tamil (4.82%)
Historic Population & Growth (1901-2036)
| Year | Population | Variation | % Change | Male | Female |
| 1901 | 763,917 | – | – | 374,000 | 390,000 |
| 1971 | 1,685,347 | 316,000 | 23.06% | 820,000 | 866,000 |
| 2001 | 2,617,482 | 235,247 | 9.88% | 1,266,985 | 1,350,497 |
| 2011 | 2,809,934 | 192,452 | 7.35% | 1,359,478 | 1,450,456 |
| 2025 | 3,030,000 | 220,066 | 7.76% | 1,467,000 | 1,561,000 |
| 2036 | 3,097,688 | 67,688 | 2.23% | 1,502,826 | 1,594,929 |
Religion Wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | % |
| Hindu | 1,875,980 | 66.76% |
| Muslim | 812,936 | 28.93% |
| Christian | 114,397 | 4.07% |
| Other/Not Stated | 6,621 | 0.24% |
| Buddhist | 238 | 0.01% |
| Sikh | 220 | 0.01% |
| Jain | 78 | 0.01% |
Sex Ratio, Child Population & Density
- Sex Ratio (2011): 1067 females per 1000 males
- Sex Ratio (2025 est): ~1067 (stable)
- Child Population (0–6 years, 2011): 302,297 (10.76%)
- Child Sex Ratio (2011): 967 girls per 1000 boys
- Urban Child Population: 70,405 (10.95% of urban)
- Rural Child Population: 231,892 (11.42% of rural)
Literacy Rate
| Category | Average Literacy Rate | Male Literacy Rate | Female Literacy Rate |
| Total | 89.31% | 93.10% | 85.79% |
| Urban | 92.45% | 95.43% | 89.67% |
| Rural | 88.31% | 92.36% | 84.56% |
| Religion | Avg Literacy Rate | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Hindu | 87.77% | 92.16% | 83.66% |
| Muslim | 92.27% | 94.98% | 89.85% |
| Christian | 94.73% | 96.35% | 93.16% |
SC/ST Population (2011 Census)
| Group | Total | % | Male | Female | Sex Ratio |
| SC | 403,833 | 14.37% | 197,451 | 206,382 | 1046 |
| ST | 48,972 | 1.74% | 24,314 | 24,658 | 1015 |
Urban/Rural Breakdown & Households
| Category |
Population |
% |
Male |
Female |
Sex Ratio |
Child Sex Ratio |
Literacy % |
| Urban |
676,810 |
24.09% |
328,012 |
348,798 |
1064 |
959 |
92.45 |
| Rural |
2,133,124 |
75.91% |
1,031,466 |
1,101,658 |
1069 |
969 |
88.31 |
- Total Households (2011): 637,220
- Villages: 131
- Towns: 21
Subdistricts (Taluks) & Villages List
| Taluk | Area (km2) | Population (2011) | Villages |
| Pattambi | 369 | 467,722 | 18 |
| Ottapalam | 477 | 462,970 | 24 |
| Mannarkkad | 1,209 | 384,393 | 25 |
| Palakkad | 713 | 612,116 | 30 |
| Chittur | 1,136 | 437,738 | 30 |
| Alathur | 571 | 444,995 | 30 |
- Municipalities: Palakkad, Ottapalam, Shornur, Chittur-Tattamangalam, Pattambi, Cherpulassery, Mannarkkad
- Major towns: Kollengode, Vadakkanchery, Nenmara, Koduvayur, Kozhinjampara, Alathur
- Main Gram Panchayats : Agali, Alanallur, Alathur, Ambalappara, Anakkara, Chalavara, Elappully, Elavancherry, Erimayur, Kadampazhipuram, Kannadi, Kongad, Kozhinjampara, Kollengode, Koppam, Kottayi, Nemmara, Ongallur, Pudusseri, Vadakarapathy, Vallapuzha, Vilayur ( totaly 131)
Languages Spoken
- Malayalam (93.71%)
- Tamil (4.82%)
- Irula, Kurumba (tribal minorities)
Workforce Data (2011)
- Total workers: 1,042,340 (37.09%)
- Male workers: 746,121
- Female workers: 296,219
Major Tourist Attractions
- Silent Valley National Park, Malampuzha Dam & Gardens, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Nelliampathi Hill Station, Palakkad Fort, Dhoni Waterfalls, Mangalam Dam, Kollengode, Fantasy Park, Chittur-Thathamangalam
Education in Palakkad (Key Institutions)
- IIT Palakkad
- Government Victoria College, Palakkad
- Government Medical College, Palakkad
- NSS College of Engineering, Akathethara
FAQs
- Q: What is the projected population of Palakkad in 2025?
A: About 3.03 lakh people (30.3 lakhs) projected.
- Q: What is the literacy rate in Palakkad?
A: 89.31% (total); Urban 92.45%; Rural 88.31%.
- Q: Major religions in Palakkad district?
A: Hindu (66.76%), Muslim (28.93%), Christian (4.07%).
- Q: Urban vs rural split?
A: Urban 24%, Rural 76% (2011 census).
- Q: SC and ST population proportion?
A: SC: 14.37%; ST: 1.74% of total population.
- Q: Major towns and municipalities?
A: Palakkad, Ottapalam, Shornur, Chittur-Tattamangalam, Pattambi, Cherpulassery, Mannarkkad.
- Q: Number of villages and towns?
A: 131 villages, 21 towns.
- Q: Primary language spoken?
A: Malayalam (majority), Tamil (minority).
- Q: Child population?
A: 302,297 (10.76% of total).
- Q: What are major tourist attractions?
A: Silent Valley NP, Nelliampathi, Palakkad Fort, Malampuzha Dam.
- Q: What is the workforce proportion?
A: Around 37% of population (2011 census).