Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka has an area of 10,277 sq.km. The projected population in 2021 was 1.51 million which is expected to increase to 1.618 million by 2026 and to 1.686 million by 2036. The growth rate was 6.17% from 2001 to 2011. In 2011, the sex ratio was 979 females per 1000 males and the percentage of the urban population was 29%. The population density was 140 persons per sq.km. Most of the population were living in the rural areas.
Quick Overview of Uttara Kannada District Census 2021 & Projections
- District Name: Uttara Kannada (North Canara)
- State: Karnataka
- Area: 10,277 sq.km
- 2021 Projected Population: 1,510,000
- 2025 Projected Population: 1,608,430
- 2026 Projected Population: 1,617,175
- 2036 Projected Population: 1,685,922
- 2011 Census Population: 1,437,169
- Population Growth Rate (2001-2011): 6.17%
- Sex Ratio (2011): 979 females/1000 males
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 955 girls/1000 boys
- Density (2011): 140 persons/sq.km
- Urban Population (2011): 29.15% (418,981)
- Rural Population (2011): 70.85% (1,018,188)
- Total Households (2011): 324,530
Historic Population, Decadal Growth (1901–2011)
| Year | Population | Growth % | Male | Female |
| 1901 | 454,722 | – | 236,000 | 219,000 |
| 1911 | 430,755 | -5.3% | 220,000 | 211,000 |
| 1921 | 401,928 | -6.7% | 204,000 | 198,000 |
| 1931 | 418,048 | 4.0% | 214,000 | 204,000 |
| 1941 | 441,388 | 5.6% | 225,000 | 217,000 |
| 1951 | 518,062 | 17.4% | 263,000 | 255,000 |
| 1961 | 689,862 | 33.2% | 355,000 | 335,000 |
| 1971 | 849,453 | 23.1% | 434,000 | 415,000 |
| 1981 | 1,073,561 | 26.4% | 548,000 | 525,000 |
| 1991 | 1,220,260 | 13.7% | 621,000 | 600,000 |
| 2001 | 1,353,644 | 10.9% | 686,876 | 666,768 |
| 2011 | 1,437,169 | 6.2% | 726,256 | 710,913 |
Population Projections (2025–2036)
| Year | Projected Population | Growth Since 2011 | Annual Growth |
| 2025 | 1,608,430 | 11.92% | ↑ |
| 2026 | 1,617,175 | 12.53% | 0.61% ↑ |
| 2036 | 1,685,922 | 17.31% | 0.42% ↑ |
Religion-Wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | Percent |
| Hindu | 1,187,306 | 82.61% |
| Muslim | 187,974 | 13.08% |
| Christian | 44,530 | 3.10% |
| Buddhist | 12,804 | 0.89% |
| Jain | 3,624 | 0.25% |
| Sikh | 305 | 0.02% |
| Other/Not Stated | 626 | 0.04% |
Urban & Rural Detailed (2011)
| Area | Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio | Child Sex Ratio | Child (0-6) | Literacy Rate |
| Urban |
418,981 |
211,346 |
207,635 |
982 |
950 |
43,374 |
90.73% |
| Rural |
1,018,188 |
514,910 |
503,278 |
978 |
957 |
106,741 |
81.31% |
Literacy Rate (2011, by Gender, Area, Religion)
| Category | Avg Literacy | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Total | 84.06% | 89.63% | 78.39% |
| Urban | 90.73% | 94.49% | 86.91% |
| Rural | 81.31% | 87.63% | 74.87% |
| Hindu | 83.04% | 89.05% | 76.97% |
| Muslim | 89.58% | 92.43% | 86.75% |
| Christian | 86.84% | 91.44% | 82.34% |
| Buddhist | 90.23% | 94.53% | 75.16% |
SC/ST & Child Population (2011)
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 116,431 (8.10%)—Sex Ratio: 1013
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 34,239 (2.38%)—Sex Ratio: 1003
- Child Population (0-6): 150,115 (10.45%)
- Child Sex Ratio (0-6): 955 girls/1000 boys
Sex Ratio by Area/Religion (2011)
| Category | Sex Ratio |
|---|
| Total Population | 979 |
| Urban | 983 |
| Rural | 978 |
| Hindu | 986 |
| Muslim | 1000 |
| Christian | 1020 |
Language Data (2011)
- Kannada: 55.34%
- Konkani: 18.21%
- Urdu: 11.83%
- Marathi: 9.52%
- Telugu: 1.36%
Workforce & Households
- Total Workers: 608,526 (42.34%)
- Male Workers: 430,565
- Female Workers: 177,961
- Total Households: 324,530
- Houseless: 1,325
Taluks/Subdistrict List
| Taluk Name |
|---|
| Karwar |
| Ankola |
| Kumta |
| Honnavar |
| Bhatkal |
| Sirsi |
| Siddapur |
| Yellapur |
| Haliyal |
| Joida (Supa) |
| Mundgod |
| Dandeli |
- Total Towns: 18
- Total Villages: 1,289
Major Cities
- Karwar (district HQ), Sirsi (largest city & economic/cultural capital), Bhatkal, Kumta, Ankola, Honnavar, Dandeli, Yellapur, Mundgod, Siddapur, Haliyal, Joida, Supa
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Uttara Kannada’s population (2011/2021/2025/2036)?
A: 2011: 1,437,169; 2021: 1,510,000; 2025: 1,608,430; 2036: 1,685,922
- Q: Urban/rural & sex ratio split?
A: Urban: 29.15% (982), Rural: 70.85% (978), Child: 955
- Q: Religion & language share?
A: Hindu: 82.61%; Muslim: 13.08%; Christian: 3.10%; Buddhist: 0.89%; Kannada: 55.34%; Konkani: 18.21%; Urdu: 11.83%; Marathi: 9.52%
- Q: SC/ST counts/rates?
A: SC: 8.10% (116,431); ST: 2.38% (34,239)
- Q: Literacy rate/area/gender/religion?
A: Total: 84.06%; urban: 90.73%; rural: 81.31%; male: 89.63%; female: 78.39%
- Q: Largest taluks/cities?
A: Sirsi, Karwar, Kumta, Bhatkal, Honnavar, Dandeli
- Q: What are the district’s ecological/cultural features?
A: Lush evergreen forests, Western Ghats, festivals, Yakshagana, Karwar beaches, unique cuisine, tribal cultures
- Q: Administrative, economy, transport?
A: 12 taluks, major highways/rail/ports, agriculture, fishing, Navy/atomic power, paper industry, busiest bus station: Sirsi
Q: What is the Sirsi district movement?
A: Strong regional campaign for Sirsi-centric district, focused on Malenadu taluks, highlights cultural/admin gap with Karwar HQ