Shimoga district of Karnataka is covering an area of 8,478 sq.km and had a projected population of 1.85 million in 2021 which is likely to go beyond 2.056 million by 2036. The population has increased by 6.71% in the decade from 2001 to 2011. The sex ratio in 2011 was almost equal, and around 36% of the total population was living in urban areas. The population density of the district was 207 people per sq.km, most of the population being in rural areas.
Quick Overview of Shimoga District Census 2021 & Projections
- District Name: Shimoga (Shivamogga)
- State: Karnataka
- Area: 8,478 sq.km
- 2021 Projected Population: 1,850,000 (18.5 lakhs)
- 2025 Projected Population: 1,880,000 (18.8 lakhs)
- 2026 Projected Population: 1,880,000 (18.9 lakhs)
- 2036 Projected Population: 2,056,129 (20.56 lakhs)
- 2011 Census Population: 1,752,753
- Population Growth Rate (2001-2011): 6.71%
- Sex Ratio (2011): 998 females/1000 males (district)
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 960 girls/1000 boys
- Density (2011): 207 persons/sq.km
- Urban Population (2011): 35.59% (623,727)
- Rural Population (2011): 64.41% (1,129,026)
- Total Households (2011): 406,816
Historic Population (1901–2011)
| Year | Population | Growth % | Male | Female |
|---|
| 1901 | 383,007 | — | 202,000 | 181,000 |
| 1911 | 367,303 | -4.1% | 194,000 | 174,000 |
| 1921 | 354,101 | -3.6% | 187,000 | 167,000 |
| 1931 | 364,903 | +3.1% | 196,000 | 169,000 |
| 1941 | 381,059 | +4.4% | 204,000 | 177,000 |
| 1951 | 475,999 | +24.9% | 253,000 | 223,000 |
| 1961 | 763,076 | +60.3% | 406,000 | 357,000 |
| 1971 | 988,744 | +29.6% | 515,000 | 474,000 |
| 1981 | 1,261,582 | +27.6% | 649,000 | 613,000 |
| 1991 | 1,452,259 | +15.1% | 740,000 | 713,000 |
| 2001 | 1,642,545 | +13.1% | 830,559 | 811,986 |
| 2011 | 1,752,753 | +6.7% | 877,415 | 875,338 |
Population Projections Up to 2036
| Year | Projected Population | Total Growth Since 2011 | Annual Growth |
|---|
| 2025 | 1,880,000 | 11.92% | ↑ |
| 2026 | 1,880,000 | 12.53% | 0.61% |
| 2027 | 1,890,000 | 13.07% | 0.54% |
| 2028 | 1,890,000 | 13.62% | 0.55% |
| 2029 | 1,890,000 | 14.17% | 0.55% |
| 2036 | 2,056,129 | 17.31% | 0.42% |
Religion-Wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | Percent |
| Hindu | 1,479,424 | 84.41% |
| Muslim | 234,664 | 13.39% |
| Christian | 26,521 | 1.51% |
| Jain | 9,234 | 0.53% |
| Sikh | 400 | 0.02% |
| Buddhist | 120 | 0.01% |
| Other/not stated | 2,390 | 0.13% |
Urban & Rural Population (2011 Split)
| Area | Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio | Child (0-6) | Literacy Rate |
| Urban |
623,727 |
311,594 |
312,133 |
1002 |
966 |
63,048 |
87.79% |
| Rural |
1,129,026 |
565,821 |
563,205 |
996 |
958 |
119,703 |
76.37% |
Literacy Rate (2011, By Gender, Area, Religion)
| Category | Avg Literacy | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
|---|
| Total Population | 80.45% | 86.07% | 74.84% |
| Urban | 87.79% | 91.35% | 84.24% |
| Rural | 76.37% | 83.14% | 69.6% |
| Hindu | 79.63% | 85.93% | 73.36% |
| Muslim | 84.32% | 85.86% | 82.74% |
| Christian | 90.18% | 93.56% | 87.1% |
| Jain | 88.22% | 92.7% | 83.64% |
SC/ST & Child Population (2011)
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 308,158 (17.58%) – Sex Ratio: 1007
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 65,412 (3.73%) – Sex Ratio: 1000
- Child Population (0-6): 182,751 (10.43%)
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 960 girls/1000 boys
- SC male: 153,546; SC female: 154,612
- ST male: 32,707; ST female: 32,705
Sex Ratio by Religion, Area (2011)
| Category | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| Total Population | 998 |
| Urban | 1002 |
| Rural | 996 |
| Hindu | 1000 |
| Muslim | 975 |
| Christian | 1087 |
| Jain | 988 |
City, Town, Village & Taluk List
- Total Towns: 9
- Total Villages: 1,530
- Main Taluks/Subdistricts: Soraba, Sagara, Hosanagara, Shimoga, Shikaripura, Thirthahalli, Bhadravathi
| Taluk Name | Households | Population | Male | Female |
|---|
| Soraba | 37,363 | 185,572 | 94,267 | 91,305 |
| Shimoga | 93,426 | 445,192 | 226,928 | 218,264 |
| Bhadravati | 71,771 | 338,989 | 171,917 | 167,072 |
| Hosanagara | 23,358 | 115,000 | 57,392 | 57,608 |
| Sagara | 41,915 | 300,995 | 150,977 | 150,018 |
| Shikaripura | 41,389 | 213,590 | 108,344 | 105,246 |
| Thirthahalli | 32,002 | 143,207 | 70,734 | 72,473 |
| City | Population | Male | Female |
| Shimoga (Municipal Council) |
322,650 |
162,018 |
160,632 |
| Bhadravati (Municipal Council) |
151,102 |
75,009 |
76,093 |
Language Spoken (2011)
- Kannada: 70.20%
- Urdu: 12.71%
- Tamil: 4.17%
- Telugu: 4.07%
- Lambadi: 2.95%
- Marathi: 2.10%
- Konkani: 1.47%
Households, Density & Workforce
- Total Households: 406,816
- Population Density: 207 persons/sq.km
- Total Workers: 780,598 (44.54%)
- Male Workers: 534,487
- Female Workers: 246,111
- Houseless Families: 610; Houseless Population: 2,277
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Shimoga's population in 2025? A: 1,880,000
- Q: What was sex ratio in 2011? A: 998 female/1000 male
- Q: How is urban/rural split? A: Urban 35.59%, Rural 64.41%
- Q: What is literacy rate Shimoga? A: 80.45% overall; 86.07% male; 74.84% female
- Q: SC/ST counts and ratio? A: SC: 17.58%, ST: 3.73%
- Q: Most spoken languages? A: Kannada, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Lambadi, Marathi, Konkani
- Q: Main cities/taluks? A: Shimoga, Bhadravati, Sagara, Soraba, Hosanagara, Shikaripura, Thirthahalli
- Q: Tourism/cultural highlights? A: Jog falls, Kodachadri, Agumbe hills, Yakshagana, temples, wildlife sanctuaries
- Q: Industries/agriculture? A: Foundry, iron, agri, textiles, engineering, farming, horticulture, spices
- Q: Notable people? A: Kuvempu, Ananthamurthy, Sudeep, Bangarappa, Yeddyurappa, Subbanna, etc.