Akola district overview
The Akola district of Maharashtra had a population of about 18.14 lakh in 2011 and it is expected to grow steadily to reach a population of around 20.81 lakh by 2026. It has an area of 5,673 sq km and population density of 320 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is close to 946 females per 1000 males and the literacy rate is around 88.05. The child sex ratio is 913 girls per 1000 boys. The major religion is Hindu with about 61.07% and Marathi is the main language spoken by large share of people. The district population is about 39.68% urban and 60.32% rural, and villages account for a major part of the total population. There are a total of about 3.96 lakh households in the district.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021
| Indicator | Value |
| Total population 2011 | 18,13,906 |
| Male population 2011 | 9,32,334 |
| Female population 2011 | 8,81,572 |
| Sex ratio 2011 | 946 |
| Child sex ratio 0–6 | 913 |
| Average literacy 2011 | 88.05% |
| Male literacy 2011 | 92.34% |
| Female literacy 2011 | 83.54% |
| Area (sq km) | 5,673 |
| Population density (2011) | 320 per sq km |
Population, projections and density
| Year | Population | Growth since 2011 |
| 2011 (actual) | 18,13,906 | – |
| 2021 (estimated) | 19,80,000 | 9.17% |
| 2022 | 20,00,000 | 10.28% |
| 2023 | 20,10,000 | 10.82% |
| 2024 | 20,20,000 | 11.36% |
| 2025 | 20,67,066 | 13.96% |
| 2026 | 20,81,322 | 14.74% |
| 2027 | 20,94,616 | 15.48% |
| 2028 | 21,07,910 | 16.21% |
| 2029 | 21,21,187 | 16.94% |
| 2030 | 21,34,481 | 17.67% |
| 2035 | 21,88,715 | 20.66% |
| 2036 | 21,99,330 | 21.25% |
| Area and density | 2011 value |
| Total area (sq km) | 5,672.81 |
| Population density (persons per sq km) | 320 |
| Households (approx.) | 3,95,690 |
Sex ratio and child population
| Sex ratio detail | Value |
| Total sex ratio (females/1000 males) | 946 |
| Urban sex ratio | 954 |
| Rural sex ratio | 941 |
| Child sex ratio 0–6 (district) | 913 |
| Urban child sex ratio 0–6 | 903 |
| Rural child sex ratio 0–6 | 918 |
| Child population (0–6) | Number |
| Total child population 0–6 | 2,11,080 |
| Male child 0–6 | 1,10,372 |
| Female child 0–6 | 1,00,708 |
| Child share of total population | 11.64% |
- Sex ratio in Akola is better than national average
- Child share in population has reduced since 2001
- Rural child sex ratio is slightly higher than urban
Literacy and education levels
| Category | Average literacy | Male literacy | Female literacy |
| Total population | 88.05% | 92.34% | 83.54% |
| Urban areas | 91.23% | 93.99% | 88.36% |
| Rural areas | 85.95% | 91.25% | 80.32% |
| Religion | Average literacy | Male literacy | Female literacy |
| Hindu | 89.09% | 93.29% | 84.68% |
| Muslim | 88.61% | 90.70% | 86.41% |
| Buddhist | 83.61% | 90.67% | 76.19% |
| Jain | 96.67% | 97.46% | 95.83% |
- Literacy is very high in Akola district
- Gap between male and female literacy is still visible
- Urban people are more educated than rural residents
Religion and caste (SC/ST) profile
| Religion | Population | Percentage of total |
| Hindu | 11,07,809 | 61.07% |
| Muslim | 3,57,253 | 19.70% |
| Buddhist | 3,28,033 | 18.08% |
| Jain | 10,205 | 0.56% |
| Christian | 4,483 | 0.25% |
| Sikh | 1,504 | 0.08% |
| Other religions | 389 | 0.02% |
| Religion not stated | 4,230 | 0.23% |
| Caste group | Population | Share of total |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 3,64,059 | 20.07% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 1,00,280 | 5.53% |
- Hindus form clear majority in Akola district
- Buddhist population share is also sizeable
- SC share is around one fifth of total population
Sex ratio by religion and SC/ST profile
| Religion | Sex ratio (females/1000 males) |
| Hindu | 944 |
| Muslim | 949 |
| Buddhist | 951 |
| Jain | 930 |
| Group | Male population | Female population |
| SC population | 1,86,244 | 1,77,815 |
| ST population | 51,359 | 48,921 |
Urban / rural population and households
| Region | Population | Share of district |
| Urban population | 7,19,741 | 39.68% |
| Rural population | 10,94,165 | 60.32% |
| Region | Male | Female |
| Urban | 3,68,401 | 3,51,340 |
| Rural | 5,63,933 | 5,30,232 |
| Household and settlements | Number |
| Total households | 3,95,690 |
| Total towns | 12 |
| Total villages | 986 |
| Families without roof (houseless) | 837 |
| People living without roof | 2,808 |
- Most people still live in rural parts of Akola
- Town population is growing but villages dominate
- Some families still live without proper roof
Workforce and employment pattern
| Workforce indicator | Value |
| Total workers | 7,68,154 |
| Male workers | 5,20,362 |
| Female workers | 2,47,792 |
| Workers share in population | 42.35% |
- About two in five people are part of the workforce
- Male workers are more than double of female workers
- A large share of workers are linked to farming and services
Historic census data 1901–2011
| Census year | Population | Decadal growth % |
| 1901 | 4,44,653 | – |
| 1911 | 4,64,000 | 4.52% |
| 1921 | 4,70,000 | 1.12% |
| 1931 | 5,18,000 | 10.26% |
| 1941 | 5,37,000 | 3.58% |
| 1951 | 5,62,000 | 4.76% |
| 1961 | 7,16,000 | 27.40% |
| 1971 | 9,04,000 | 26.23% |
| 1981 | 11,18,000 | 23.67% |
| 1991 | 13,52,000 | 20.86% |
| 2001 | 16,30,239 | 20.58% |
| 2011 | 18,13,906 | 11.27% |
- Population has grown steadily over last hundred years
- 1961 and 1971 show very fast growth decades
- Growth rate has slowed after 2001 period
City list, towns and sub‑districts
| Administrative unit | Number / detail |
| Cities (municipal bodies) | Akola Municipal Corporation and other small towns |
| Total towns | 12 |
| Total villages | 986 |
| Major city | Population (2011) |
| Akola city (Municipal Corporation) | 4,25,817 |
- Akola city is main urban centre of the district
- Rest of towns are small and medium in size
- Rural belts link these towns through local markets
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: What is the total population of Akola district in 2026? Answer: Around 20.81 lakh.
- Question: What is the literacy rate of Akola district in 2011? Answer: Nearly 88.05%.
- Question: What is the sex ratio in Akola district? Answer: About 946 females per 1000 males.
- Question: Which religion has the largest share in Akola district? Answer: Hindu with about 61.07% share.
- Question: What is the rural–urban split in Akola district? Answer: About 60% rural and 40% urban.