The West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya had a population of about 6,43,291 in 2011 and it is expected to grow steadily to reach a population of around 8,18,900 by 2025. It has an area of 3,677 sq km and a population density of about 175 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is close to 985 females per 1000 males and the literacy rate is around 67.58 percent. The child sex ratio is 976 girls per 1000 boys. The major religion is Christian with about 60.62 percent share and Garo and other local tongues are the main languages spoken by most people. The district population is roughly 11.64 percent urban and 88.36 percent rural, and West Garo Hills accounts for about 21.68 percent of the total state population. There are nearly 1,23,352 households in the district.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021
| District name | West Garo Hills |
| State | Meghalaya |
| Population 2011 | 6,43,291 |
| Estimated population 2025 | 8,18,900 |
| Estimated population 2026 | 8,26,300 |
| Area (sq km) | 3,677 |
| Population density (per sq km) | 175 |
| Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) | 985 |
| Child sex ratio (0-6 years) | 976 |
| Average literacy rate (%) | 67.58 |
| Urban population share (%) | 11.64 |
| Rural population share (%) | 88.36 |
| Total households | 1,23,352 |
- Total population is growing
- Most people live in villages
- Literacy level is moderate
- Christian community is major group
Population and Demographic Profile
| Total population 2011 | 6,43,291 |
| Male population 2011 | 3,24,159 |
| Female population 2011 | 3,19,132 |
| Total population 2001 | 5,18,390 |
| Male population 2001 | 2,63,424 |
| Female population 2001 | 2,54,966 |
| Population growth 2001–2011 (%) | 24.09 |
| Population proportion in state 2011 (%) | 21.68 |
| Population proportion in state 2001 (%) | 22.36 |
- Population increased by about one fourth
- Male and female numbers are close
- District holds big share in state
- Growth pace slowed slightly after 2001
Historic Census Data 1901–2011
| Census year | Total population | Variation % |
| 1901 | 79,512 | NA |
| 1911 | 91,390 | 14.94 |
| 1921 | 1,03,040 | 12.74 |
| 1931 | 1,09,780 | 6.54 |
| 1941 | 1,28,560 | 17.11 |
| 1951 | 1,39,200 | 8.28 |
| 1961 | 1,75,800 | 26.29 |
| 1971 | 2,44,040 | 38.82 |
| 1981 | 2,97,040 | 21.72 |
| 1991 | 3,88,870 | 30.92 |
| 2001 | 5,07,490 | 30.46 |
| 2011 | 6,43,291 | 26.80 |
- Population rose in every census
- Biggest jump came in 1971
- Growth stayed strong after 1961
- Long term trend shows steady rise
Population Projections up to 2036
| Year | Estimated population |
| 2011 | 6,43,291 |
| 2021 | 7,75,000 |
| 2022 | 7,88,500 |
| 2023 | 8,00,100 |
| 2024 | 8,10,200 |
| 2025 | 8,18,900 |
| 2026 | 8,26,300 |
| 2027 | 8,32,700 |
| 2028 | 8,38,200 |
| 2029 | 8,42,800 |
| 2030 | 8,46,800 |
| 2031 | 8,50,300 |
Extended Projections 2026–2036
| Year | Estimated population |
| 2026 | 7,44,864 |
| 2027 | 7,50,686 |
| 2028 | 7,56,725 |
| 2029 | 7,62,547 |
| 2030 | 7,68,586 |
| 2031 | 7,73,761 |
| 2032 | 7,78,506 |
| 2033 | 7,83,250 |
| 2034 | 7,87,994 |
| 2035 | 7,92,523 |
| 2036 | 7,97,267 |
- Population: growing slowly
- Growth rate is moderate
- Numbers cross 7.9 lakh by 2036
- Yearly rise stays stable
Sex Ratio and Child Population Details
| Overall sex ratio (f/1000 m) 2011 | 985 |
| Sex ratio 2001 (f/1000 m) | 968 |
| Child sex ratio 2011 (0-6 years) | 976 |
| Child sex ratio 2001 (0-6 years) | 960 |
| Total child population 0-6 (2011) | 1,12,514 |
| Male child population 0-6 | 56,950 |
| Female child population 0-6 | 55,564 |
| Child population share 0-6 (%) | 17.49 |
Sex Ratio: Urban and Rural
| Category | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Total | 985 |
| Urban | 1011 |
| Rural | 982 |
- Sex ratio is close to balance
- Child share is nearly one sixth
- Urban sex ratio is higher
- Gap has improved since 2001
Literacy Rate, Male Literacy and Female Literacy
| Average literacy rate 2011 (%) | 67.58 |
| Male literacy rate 2011 (%) | 72.39 |
| Female literacy rate 2011 (%) | 62.70 |
| Average literacy 2001 (%) | 50.69 |
| Male literacy 2001 (%) | 57.04 |
| Female literacy 2001 (%) | 44.15 |
| Total literates 2011 | 3,58,702 |
| Male literates 2011 | 1,93,438 |
| Female literates 2011 | 1,65,264 |
Urban and Rural Literacy Profile
| Category | Average literacy (%) |
| Total population | 67.58 |
| Urban area | 91.33 |
| Rural area | 64.21 |
Literacy Rate by Religion
| Religion | Average literacy (%) |
| Christian | 73.72 |
| Hindu | 68.82 |
| Muslim | 47.94 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 33.87 |
- Literacy is rising over time
- Urban literacy is very high
- Female literacy lags behind male
- Christian community has high literacy
Religion-wise Population and Demographics
| Religion | Population | Share (%) |
| Christian | 3,89,956 | 60.62 |
| Hindu | 1,22,936 | 19.11 |
| Muslim | 1,06,788 | 16.60 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 16,950 | 2.63 |
| Buddhist | 3,392 | 0.53 |
| Sikh | 209 | 0.03 |
| Jain | 144 | 0.02 |
| Religion not stated | 2,916 | 0.45 |
Sex Ratio by Religion
| Religion | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Christian | 1002 |
| Hindu | 941 |
| Muslim | 969 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 1030 |
- Christian population forms clear majority
- Hindu and Muslim shares are notable
- Other faith groups are small in size
- Sex ratio differs across religions
SC, ST and Social Group Population
| SC population | 8,810 |
| SC male population | 4,535 |
| SC female population | 4,275 |
| SC share in population (%) | 1.37 |
| SC sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 943 |
| ST population | 4,74,009 |
| ST male population | 2,36,772 |
| ST female population | 2,37,237 |
| ST share in population (%) | 73.69 |
| ST sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 1002 |
- ST people form strong majority
- SC share is very small
- ST sex ratio is slightly above 1000
- Tribal groups drive local culture
Urban and Rural Population, Density and Households
| Category | Rural | Urban |
| Total population | 5,68,433 | 74,858 |
| Male population | 2,86,923 | 37,236 |
| Female population | 2,81,510 | 37,622 |
| Population share (%) | 88.36 | 11.64 |
| Sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 982 | 1011 |
| Child population 0-6 | 1,03,630 | 8,884 |
| Male child 0-6 | 52,362 | 4,588 |
| Female child 0-6 | 51,268 | 4,296 |
| Child percentage (%) | 18.23 | 11.87 |
| Literates | 2,98,448 | 60,254 |
| Male literates | 1,63,020 | 30,418 |
| Female literates | 1,35,428 | 29,836 |
| Average literacy (%) | 64.21 | 91.33 |
| Male literacy (%) | 69.50 | 93.17 |
| Female literacy (%) | 58.82 | 89.53 |
Area, Density and Households
| District area (sq km) | 3,677 |
| Area 2001 (sq km) | 3,715 |
| Population density 2011 (per sq km) | 175 |
| Population density 2001 (per sq km) | 140 |
| Total households | 1,23,352 |
| Houseless families | 84 |
| Houseless population | 362 |
| Number of towns | 1 |
| Number of villages | 1,663 |
- Most people live in rural belt
- Urban share is small but dense
- Few families live without roof
- Village network is very wide
Workforce and Economic Activity
| Total workers | 2,55,693 |
| Male workers | 1,51,914 |
| Female workers | 1,03,779 |
| Workers share in population (%) | 39.75 |
- Population: many are workers
- More men work than women
- Rural jobs are still important
- Service and farm work both matter
City List, Towns and Administrative Divisions
| Urban agglomerations | No urban agglomeration reported |
| Number of towns | 1 |
| Cities inside district | No separate city agglomeration listed |
Sub-districts, Taluks and Villages
| Sub-districts / Tahsils (count) | Not detailed in given data |
| Taluks and blocks | Information not listed |
| Villages | 1,663 |
- District has one main town
- Large number of villages
- Local bodies manage rural areas
- Administrative units are spread out
Languages and Cultural Notes
| Main spoken language | Garo and related local languages |
| Other common languages | English and nearby regional tongues |
| Language share data | Detailed percentage not given |
- Garo language shapes local life
- Many youths learn English
- Folk songs and dances are popular
- Cultural links are strong in villages
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of West Garo Hills in 2011: It is 6,43,291 people
- What is the estimated population of West Garo Hills in 2026: It is about 8,26,300 people
- What is the literacy rate of West Garo Hills district: It is around 67.58 percent
- What is the sex ratio in West Garo Hills district: It is about 985 females per 1000 males
- Which religion is major in West Garo Hills district: Christian community has the largest share