Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, is a 8153 sq.km. area that has a population of more than 2.1 million according to the 2011 census, the population grown by 25.60% compared to the 2001 census. The 2021 population is estimated to be between 2.55 and 2.6 million, and the population is projected to be at 2.659 million by 2025. The ratio of girls to boys in the district has gone up from 955 to 965 females per 1000 males, and the density is 268 persons per sq.km.
Quick Overview of Dhar District Census 2021
- District Name: Dhar
- State: Madhya Pradesh
- Headquarters: Dhar town
- Area: about 8,153 sq.km
- Population 2011 (District): 2,185,793
- Population 2001 (District): 1,740,329
- Estimated Population 2021 (District): about 2.55–2.60 million (based on 2011–2025 projection)
- Projected Population 2025 (District): 2,659,469 (26.59 lakh)
- Population Growth 2001–2011: 25.60%
- Sex Ratio (2011, overall): 965 females / 1000 males
- Sex Ratio (2001): 955 females / 1000 males
- Density (2011): about 268 persons/sq.km
Population – 2011 vs 2001 (District)
| Description | 2011 | 2001 |
| Actual Population |
2,185,793 |
1,740,329 |
| Male Population |
1,112,725 |
890,416 |
| Female Population |
1,073,068 |
849,913 |
| Decadal Population Growth |
25.60 % |
24.00 % (approx.) |
| Population Density (per sq.km) |
268 |
214 |
| Sex Ratio (females per 1000 males) |
965 |
955 |
Urban and Rural Population – Dhar District 2011
| Area |
Population Share |
Total Population |
Male |
Female |
Sex Ratio |
| Rural |
81.10 % |
1,772,572 |
895,113 |
877,459 |
981 |
| Urban |
18.90 % |
413,221 |
217,612 |
195,609 |
899 |
Child Population (0–6 years) – Dhar District 2011
| Description | Total | Male | Female | Child Sex Ratio |
| Children (0–6 years) |
359,949 |
186,684 |
173,265 |
928 |
Overall Literacy – Dhar District 2011
| Item | Total | Male | Female |
| Literate Population |
1,077,338 |
638,479 |
438,859 |
| Literacy Rate |
59.00 % |
68.95 % |
48.72 % |
Urban and Rural Literacy – Dhar District 2011
| Area |
Literacy Rate |
Male Literacy |
Female Literacy |
| Urban |
about 80–81 % |
about 86–87 % |
about 73–74 % |
| Rural |
about 56–57 % |
about 66–67 % |
about 46–47 % |
Religion-wise Population – Dhar District 2011
| Religion |
Population |
Percent |
| Hindu |
2,051,219 |
93.84 % |
| Muslim |
116,202 |
5.32 % |
| Jain |
12,199 |
0.56 % |
| Christian |
2,261 |
0.10 % |
| Sikh |
1,607 |
0.07 % |
| Buddhist |
328 |
0.02 % |
| Other religions and persuasions |
88 |
0.00 % |
| Religion not stated |
1,889 |
0.09 % |
Literacy Rate by Religion – Dhar District 2011
| Religion |
Average Literacy Rate |
Male Literacy Rate |
Female Literacy Rate |
| Hindu |
57.84 % |
67.84 % |
47.55 % |
| Muslim |
74.47 % |
84.53 % |
64.03 % |
| Jain |
96.67 % |
97.79 % |
95.54 % |
| Christian |
84.72 % |
89.17 % |
80.61 % |
SC / ST Population – Dhar District 2011
| Category |
Population |
Percent of Total |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) |
145,436 |
about 6.7 % |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) |
1,222,814 |
about 56.0 % |
Languages Spoken – Dhar District 2011
| Language |
Share of Speakers |
| Hindi |
51.3 % |
| Malvi |
15.6 % |
| Nimadi |
15.3 % |
| Bhilali |
4.6 % |
| Bhilodi / Bhili |
4.4 % |
| Other languages |
about 8.8 % |
Administrative Units – Tehsils (Subdistricts)
- Administrative divisions mentioned in government and census sources vary slightly by time; main revenue blocks/tehsils currently include:
| Tehsil / Subdistrict |
| Dhar |
| Kukshi |
| Badnawar |
| Sardarpur |
| Gandhwani |
| Manawar |
| Dharampuri |
| Dahi |
Dhar Tehsil (Subdistrict) Census 2011
- Total population: 578,423
- Male population: 301,567
- Female population: 276,856
- Sex ratio: 918 females / 1000 males
- Children (0–6): 95,915 (50,154 boys, 45,761 girls)
- Overall literacy rate: 68.55%
- Male literacy: 77.62%
- Female literacy: 58.59%
- Scheduled Caste population: 53,515
- Scheduled Tribe population: 210,782
| Area | Population | Children (0–6) | SC | ST | Literacy | Sex Ratio |
| Urban (Dhar Tehsil) |
239,380 |
36,272 |
21,787 |
42,672 |
81.36 % |
861 |
| Rural (Dhar Tehsil) |
339,043 |
59,643 |
31,728 |
168,110 |
59.24 % |
960 |
Villages and Towns – Dhar District
- Dhar district contains hundreds of villages and several towns; each tehsil has its own full list of villages in census tables.
- (Dhar Tehsil): 4 towns and 445 villages.
Dhar Town – Basic Demographic Snapshot (2011)
- Town type: Municipality (Nagar Palika) and district headquarters.
- Total population: about 93,917.
- Male population: 48,413.
- Female population: 45,504.
- Population aged 0–6: 11,947.
- Average literacy rate: around 86–87%.
Economy and Geography – Short Overview
- Region: Western Madhya Pradesh; part of Malwa region.
- Terrain: Largely plateau with parts of Narmada valley and forested tribal belts.
- Key economic activities: agriculture, tribal forest-based livelihood, small and medium-scale industry, trade along highway routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is Dhar district population in 2011?
A: 2,185,793 people.
- Q: What is the projected population in 2025?
A: About 26.6 lakh (2,659,469).
- Q: What is the sex ratio of Dhar?
A: 965 females per 1000 males in 2011.
- Q: How much of the population is rural vs urban?
A: About 81% rural and 19% urban.
- Q: What is the overall literacy rate?
A: Around 59% overall; male literacy about 69%, female literacy about 49%.
- Q: Which religion is most common?
A: Hinduism, with nearly 94% of the population.
- Q: What are the main languages spoken?
A: Hindi, Malvi, Nimadi and Bhili/Bhilali.
- Q: How many main tehsils are in Dhar?
A: Eight major revenue tehsils: Dhar, Kukshi, Badnawar, Sardarpur, Gandhwani, Manawar, Dharampuri and Dahi.
- Q: What is the population of children (0–6) in the district?
A: About 3.6 lakh children.
- Q: What are the key economic activities in Dhar?
A: Agriculture, tribal forest products, local industry and trade.