Wayanad in Kerala is spread over 2,130 km² of a mostly forested plateau. The population stood at 8.17 lakh in 2011 and is estimated to be 9.01 lakh by 2036. The population density ranged between 384 and 397 per km², and only 3.86% of people were living in urban areas. Malayam is the principal language along with tribal dialects, Tamil, and Kannada. The district is still largely agrarian and its growth is quite slow.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021 & Projections
- District: Wayanad, Kerala
- Area: 2,130 km2 (plateau, forested: ~886 km2)
- Coordinates: 11°37′N 76°05′E
- Population (2011 census): 817,420 (8.17 lakh)
- Population (2021 projected): 850,100 (8.5 lakh)
- Population (2025 projected): 859,400 – 880,878 (8.59 – 8.81 lakh)
- Population (2036 projected): 901,129 (9.01 lakh)
- Population Density (2011): 384 – 397/km2
- Urban population (2011): 31,580 (3.86%)
- Rural population (2011): 785,840 (96.14%)
- Main languages: Malayalam (90.64%), tribal dialects, Tamil (1.1%), Kannada
Historic Population & Growth (1901–2036)
| Year | Population | Variation | % Change | Male | Female |
| 1901 | 75,149 | – | – | 41,630 | 33,520 |
| 1961 | 275,255 | 106,350 | 62.60% | 145,000 | 131,000 |
| 2001 | 780,619 | 108,491 | 16.14% | 391,273 | 389,346 |
| 2011 | 817,420 | 36,801 | 4.71% | 401,684 | 415,736 |
| 2025 | 859,400 – 880,878 | 41,980–63,458 | 7.76% | 433,000 | 447,000 |
| 2036 | 901,129 | 41,729 | 10.24% | 444,039 | 457,146 |
Religion & Caste-wise Population (2011)
| Religion | Population | % |
| Hindu | 404,460 | 49.48% |
| Muslim | 234,185 | 28.65% |
| Christian | 174,453 | 21.34% |
| Jain | 1,797 | 0.22% |
| Buddhist | 312 | 0.04% |
| Sikh | 61 | 0.01% |
| Other/not stated | 2,152 | 0.26% |
| Group | Total | % | Male | Female | Sex Ratio |
| SC | 32,578 | 3.99% | 16,406 | 16,172 | 986 |
| ST | 151,443 | 18.53% | 74,476 | 76,967 | 1,034 |
- Paniyas, Uraali Kurumas, Kurichiyans, Adiyan, Kattuniakkan, Mullukkurman, Vettakkuruman, Wayanad Kadar, Thachaanadan Mooppan: main tribes (Paniyan is largest at ~92k in 2011)
Sex Ratio, Child Population & Literacy
- Sex ratio (2011): 1035 (overall), Urban: 1051, Rural: 1034
- Child sex ratio (0–6 years): 965 girls/1000 boys
- Total child population (0–6 years, 2011): 92,324 (11.29%)
- Urban child population (0–6 yrs): 3,597 (11.4% of urban)
- Rural child population (0–6 yrs): 88,727 (11.7% of rural)
| Category | Population | % | Male | Female | Sex Ratio |
| Urban | 31,580 | 3.86% | 15,401 | 16,179 | 1,051 |
| Rural | 785,840 | 96.14% | 386,283 | 399,557 | 1,034 |
Literacy Rate (2011, Urban/Rural, Religion)
| Category | Average Literacy Rate | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Total Population | 89.03% | 92.51% | 85.7% |
| Urban | 91.18% | 94.13% | 88.4% |
| Rural | 88.95% | 92.45% | 85.59% |
| Religion | Avg Literacy | Male Literacy | Female Literacy |
| Hindu | 84.71% | 88.76% | 80.78% |
| Muslim | 90.58% | 95.11% | 86.49% |
| Christian | 96.91% | 97.83% | 95.99% |
| Other/not stated | 86.58% | 90.61% | 82.54% |
Workforce & Households
- Total workers (2011): 340,077 (41.6%)
- Male workers: 228,639
- Female workers: 111,438
- Total households: 190,894
- Houseless: 148 families, 320 persons (0.039%)
Subdistricts, Taluks & City/Town/Villages
- 3 Taluks: Mananthavady, Vythiri, Sulthan Bathery
- Main towns: Kalpetta (HQ), Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery, Meenangadi, Ambalavayal, Muttil, Pozhuthana, Padinjarathara, Vythiri, Muppainad, Thirunelli, Thavinjal, Thondernadu, Panamaram, Pulpally, Muthanga
- Revenue villages: 49
- Panchayats: 23 Gram, 4 Block, 3 Municipalities
| Taluk | Main Villages |
|---|
| Mananthavady | Thirunelli, Thavinjal, Thondernadu, Panamaram, Mananthavady |
| Vythiri | Vythiri, Kalpetta, Padinjarathara, Meppadi, Pozhuthana, Muttil, Muppainad |
| Sulthan Bathery | Meenangadi, Ambalavayal, Sultan Bathery, Muthanga, Pulpally |
Languages Spoken
- Malayalam (90.64%)
- Paniya (1.82%), Tamil (1.11%), Kannada (0.91%), tribal dialects
Geography, Rivers, Hills, Wildlife
- Plateau, Western Ghats; Chembra Peak (2,100 m), Vellari Mala (2,240 m), Banasura Hill
- Major rivers: Kabini, Chaliyar, Panamaram, Mananthavady
- Banasura Sagar Dam (largest earth dam in India), Karapuzha Dam
- Wildlife: tiger, elephant, bear, laughingthrush (named for district)
Education, Institutions & Notable People
- Kerala Agricultural University Regional Station, various government colleges and technical institutes
- Notables: M.P. Veerendra Kumar (politician), Sreedhanya Suresh (IAS), Sunny Wayne (actor), Vinod Jose (journalist), etc.
Tourism & Places of Interest
- Edakkal Caves (prehistoric engravings), Chembra Peak, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Banasura Sagar Dam, Karapuzha Dam, Thirunelli Temple, Pulpally Lava-Kusha Temple, Varambetta Mosque, Jain Mirror Temple, plantain, tea, coffee estates, tribal villages, trekking points
Government, Administration & Legislative
- District HQ: Kalpetta
- 3 taluks: Mananthavady, Vythiri, Sulthan Bathery
- 3 municipalities: Kalpetta, Mananthavady, Sultan Bathery
- MP: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (INC, Wayanad LS seat)
- MLAs: Kalpetta (T. Siddique), Sulthan Bathery (I.C. Balakrishnan), Mananthavady (O.R. Kelu)
FAQs
- Q: What is the population of Wayanad in 2025?
A: 8.59–8.81 lakh projected
- Q: Main religions?
A: Hindu ~49.5%, Muslim ~28.7%, Christian ~21.3%, significant Jain population
- Q: Sex ratio?
A: 1035 overall
- Q: SC/ST proportion?
A: SC 4%, ST 18.5% (highest in Kerala), most populous tribal district
- Q: Child population & ratio?
A: 92,324 (11.3%), child sex ratio 965
- Q: Literacy rate?
A: 89.03% (urban 91.18%, rural 88.95%)
- Q: Main languages?
A: Malayalam, tribal languages, Tamil, Kannada
- Q: Urban/rural breakdown?
A: Urban: 4%, Rural: 96%
- Q: Notable towns/cities?
A: Kalpetta, Mananthavady, Sultan Bathery, Ambalavayal, Meppadi
- Q: Workforce proportion?
A: 41.6% are workers
- Q: Major tourist attractions?
A: Wildlife Sanctuary, Edakkal Caves, Chembra Peak, Banasura Sagar Dam
- Q: Largest tribes?
A: Paniyan (~92k), Kurichyan, Mullukkurman, Adiyan, etc.