The South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya had a population of about 1,42,334 approx. in 2011 and it is expected to grow steadily to reach a population of about 1,76,403 by 2036, which is roughly 1,64,808 people by 2026. It has an area of 1,887 sq km and population density of about 75 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is close to 946 females per 1,000 males and the literacy rate is around 71.72 percent. The child sex ratio is 974 girls per 1,000 boys. The major religion is Christian with about 93.43 percent share and Garo‑Kachari and related local tongues are the main language spoken by most people. The district population is 9.23 percent urban and 90.77 percent rural, and South Garo Hills accounts for about 4.80 percent of the total state population. There are a total of about 24,527 households in the district.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021
| District name | South Garo Hills |
| State | Meghalaya |
| Population 2011 | 1,42,334 |
| Estimated population 2025 | 1,63,425 |
| Estimated population 2026 | 1,64,808 |
| Area (sq km) | 1,887 |
| Population density (per sq km) | 75 |
| Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) | 946 |
| Child sex ratio (0-6 years) | 974 |
| Average literacy rate (%) | 71.72 |
| Urban population share (%) | 9.23 |
| Rural population share (%) | 90.77 |
| Total households | 24,527 |
- Total population is growing
- Most people live in villages
- Literacy level is above national average
- Christian share is very high
Population and Demographics Profile
| Total population 2011 | 1,42,334 |
| Male population 2011 | 73,170 |
| Female population 2011 | 69,164 |
| Population 2001 | 1,00,980 |
| Male population 2001 | 52,007 |
| Female population 2001 | 48,973 |
| Population growth 2001–2011 (%) | 40.95 |
| Population share in state 2011 (%) | 4.80 |
| Population share in state 2001 (%) | 4.35 |
- Population grew by about 41 percent
- Male and female numbers are close
- Growth was high in 1980s
- District holds steady share in state
Historic Census Population Data 1901–2011
| Census year | Total population | Variation % |
| 1901 | 23,247 | – |
| 1911 | 26,720 | 14.94 |
| 1921 | 30,120 | 12.71 |
| 1931 | 32,100 | 6.57 |
| 1941 | 37,590 | 17.11 |
| 1951 | 40,700 | 8.28 |
| 1961 | 52,520 | 29.05 |
| 1971 | 59,030 | 12.39 |
| 1981 | 71,570 | 21.24 |
| 1991 | 89,490 | 25.04 |
| 2001 | 1,00,980 | 12.81 |
| 2011 | 1,42,334 | 40.95 |
- Population grew in every decade
- Big jump came in 1961
- Average growth is about 18.1 percent
- From 23k to 1.42 lakh people
Population Projections up to 2036
| Year | Estimated population | Total growth since 2011 (%) |
| 2011 | 1,42,334 | 0.00 |
| 2025 | 1,63,425 | 14.82 |
| 2026 | 1,64,808 | 15.79 |
| 2027 | 1,66,097 | 16.69 |
| 2028 | 1,67,433 | 17.63 |
| 2029 | 1,68,721 | 18.54 |
| 2030 | 1,70,057 | 19.48 |
| 2031 | 1,71,202 | 20.28 |
| 2032 | 1,72,252 | 21.02 |
| 2033 | 1,73,302 | 21.76 |
| 2034 | 1,74,351 | 22.49 |
| 2035 | 1,75,353 | 23.20 |
| 2036 | 1,76,403 | 23.94 |
- Population: growing slowly
- Annual growth near 0.83 percent
- Numbers cross 1.76 lakh by 2036
- Male share is slightly higher
Sex Ratio and Child Population Details
| Overall sex ratio (f/1000 m) 2011 | 946 |
| Sex ratio 2001 (f/1000 m) | 942 |
| Child sex ratio 2011 (0-6 years) | 974 |
| Child sex ratio 2001 (0-6 years) | 970 |
| Total child population 0-6 (2011) | 27,909 |
| Male child population 0-6 | 14,136 |
| Female child population 0-6 | 13,773 |
| Child population share 0-6 (%) | 19.61 |
Sex Ratio: Urban and Rural
| Category | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Total | 946 |
| Urban | 960 |
| Rural | 944 |
- Sex ratio is above national average
- About one fifth are children
- Child ratio has improved slightly
- Urban sex ratio is higher
Literacy Rate, Male Literacy and Female Literacy
| Average literacy rate 2011 (%) | 71.72 |
| Male literacy rate 2011 (%) | 76.23 |
| Female literacy rate 2011 (%) | 66.90 |
| Average literacy 2001 (%) | 54.45 |
| Male literacy 2001 (%) | 60.98 |
| Female literacy 2001 (%) | 47.45 |
| Total literates 2011 | 82,062 |
| Male literates 2011 | 45,003 |
| Female literates 2011 | 37,059 |
Urban and Rural Literacy Profile
| Category | Average literacy (%) |
| Total population | 71.72 |
| Urban area | 89.79 |
| Rural area | 69.81 |
Literacy Rate by Religion
| Religion | Average literacy (%) |
| Christian | 71.30 |
| Hindu | 78.89 |
| Muslim | 76.87 |
| Religion not stated | 81.27 |
- Literacy is above national level
- Male literacy is higher than female
- Urban literacy is very high
- Christian literacy is strong
Urban and Rural Population, Density and Households
| Category | Rural | Urban |
| Total population | 1,29,203 | 13,131 |
| Male population | 66,470 | 6,700 |
| Female population | 62,733 | 6,431 |
| Population share (%) | 90.77 | 9.23 |
| Sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 944 | 960 |
| Child population 0-6 | 25,678 | 2,231 |
| Male child 0-6 | 13,026 | 1,110 |
| Female child 0-6 | 12,652 | 1,121 |
| Child percentage (%) | 19.87 | 16.99 |
| Literates | 72,275 | 9,787 |
| Male literates | 39,880 | 5,123 |
| Female literates | 32,395 | 4,664 |
| Average literacy (%) | 69.81 | 89.79 |
| Male literacy (%) | 74.62 | 91.65 |
| Female literacy (%) | 64.69 | 87.83 |
Area, Density and Households
| District area (sq km) | 1,887 |
| Population density 2011 (per sq km) | 75 |
| Population density 2001 (per sq km) | 55 |
| Total households | 24,527 |
| Houseless families | 11 |
| Houseless population | 41 |
| Number of towns | 1 |
| Number of villages | 319 |
- Most people live in villages
- Density is low in hilly zone
- Houseless families are very few
- Urban area is small but growing
Religion-wise Population and Demographics
| Religion | Population | Share (%) |
| Christian | 1,32,980 | 93.43 |
| Hindu | 4,106 | 2.88 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 3,171 | 2.23 |
| Muslim | 1,572 | 1.10 |
| Buddhist | 112 | 0.08 |
| Sikh | 17 | 0.01 |
| Jain | 2 | 0.00 |
| Religion not stated | 372 | 0.26 |
Sex Ratio by Religion
| Religion | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Christian | 952 |
| Hindu | 813 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 991 |
| Muslim | 818 |
- Christian community forms clear majority
- Hindu and other groups are small
- Sex ratio is better than before
- Religious mix is less diverse
SC, ST and Social Group Population
| SC population | 1,020 |
| SC male population | 522 |
| SC female population | 498 |
| SC share in population (%) | 0.72 |
| SC sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 954 |
| ST population | 1,28,466 |
| ST male population | 65,582 |
| ST female population | 62,884 |
| ST share in population (%) | 90.25 |
| ST sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 959 |
- ST population forms strong majority
- SC share is very small
- ST sex ratio is below 1000
- Tribal groups shape local culture
Workforce and Economic Activity
| Total workers | 57,138 |
| Male workers | 33,103 |
| Female workers | 24,035 |
| Workers share in population (%) | 40.14 |
- Population: many are working
- More men work than women
- Farm work is still key
- Service and small trade growing
City List, Towns and Administrative Divisions
| Urban agglomerations | No city agglomeration listed |
| Cities | No city data given |
| Towns | 1 town reported |
| Villages | 319 |
Sub-districts, Taluks and Villages
| Sub-districts / Tahsils | Not listed in given data |
| Taluks and blocks | Information not detailed |
| Villages | 319 |
- District is mainly rural
- One town acts as centre
- Villages are spread across hills
- Local bodies manage village life
Languages and Cultural Profile
| Main spoken language | Garo‑Kachari and local tongues |
| Other common languages | English and nearby regional languages |
| Language share data | Detailed % not given |
- Garo language is common at home
- Many youths know English
- Festivals and songs are popular
- Culture is closely tied to tribes
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of South Garo Hills in 2011: It is 1,42,334 people
- What is the estimated population of South Garo Hills in 2026: It is about 1,64,808 people
- What is the literacy rate of South Garo Hills district: It is around 71.72 percent
- What is the sex ratio in South Garo Hills district: It is about 946 females per 1,000 males
- Which religion is major in South Garo Hills district: Christian community has the largest share