The Bargarh district of Odisha had a population of about 14.81 lakh approx. in 2011 and it is expected to grow steadily to reach a population of about 16.07 lakh by 2025. It has an area of 5,837 sq km and population density of about 254 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is close to 977 females per 1000 males and the literacy rate is around 74.62 percent. The child sex ratio is 957 girls per 1000 boys. The major religion is Hindu with about 98.50 percent share and Odia with local tongues is the main language spoken by most people. The district population is 10.13 percent urban and 89.87 percent rural, and Bargarh accounts for about 3.53 percent of the total Odisha population. There are a total of about 3,37,720 households in the district.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021
| District name | Bargarh |
| State | Odisha |
| Population 2011 | 14,81,255 |
| Estimated population 2025 | 16,07,000 |
| Estimated population 2026 | 16,17,000 |
| Area (sq km) | 5,837 |
| Population density (per sq km) | 254 |
| Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) | 977 |
| Child sex ratio (0-6 years) | 957 |
| Average literacy rate (%) | 74.62 |
| Urban population share (%) | 10.13 |
| Rural population share (%) | 89.87 |
| Total households | 3,37,720 |
- Total population is rising
- Most people live in villages
- Literacy level is good
- Hindu share is very high
Population and Demographics Profile
| Total population 2011 | 14,81,255 |
| Male population 2011 | 7,49,161 |
| Female population 2011 | 7,32,094 |
| Population 2001 | 13,46,336 |
| Male population 2001 | 6,81,500 |
| Female population 2001 | 6,64,836 |
| Population growth 2001–2011 (%) | 10.02 |
| Population share in Odisha 2011 (%) | 3.53 |
| Population share in Odisha 2001 (%) | 3.66 |
- Population grew slowly
- Male count is slightly higher
- Share in state has dipped a bit
- Rural side dominates the district
Historic Census Data 1901–2011
| Census year | Total population | Variation % |
| 1901 | 4,30,880 | – |
| 1911 | 4,47,620 | 3.89 |
| 1921 | 4,10,950 | -8.19 |
| 1931 | 4,58,770 | 11.64 |
| 1941 | 5,10,660 | 11.31 |
| 1951 | 5,64,920 | 10.62 |
| 1961 | 7,10,450 | 25.76 |
| 1971 | 8,92,700 | 25.66 |
| 1981 | 10,55,320 | 18.23 |
| 1991 | 11,88,540 | 12.63 |
| 2001 | 13,46,336 | 13.28 |
| 2011 | 14,81,255 | 10.02 |
- Population rose in most decades
- Big jump came in 1961 and 1971
- Average growth is moderate
- From 4.31 lakh to 14.81 lakh people
Population Projections up to 2036
| Year | Estimated population | Total growth since 2011 (%) |
| 2011 | 14,81,255 | 0.00 |
| 2025 | 16,07,000 | 8.49 |
| 2026 | 16,17,000 | 9.16 |
| 2027 | 16,26,000 | 9.77 |
| 2028 | 16,35,000 | 10.38 |
| 2029 | 16,44,000 | 10.99 |
| 2030 | 16,53,000 | 11.60 |
| 2031 | 16,60,500 | 12.11 |
| 2032 | 16,67,000 | 12.55 |
| 2033 | 16,73,500 | 12.99 |
| 2034 | 16,80,000 | 13.42 |
| 2035 | 16,86,500 | 13.86 |
| 2036 | 16,93,000 | 14.30 |
- Population: growing slowly
- Numbers cross 16.93 lakh by 2036
- Female count stays close to male
- Growth stays steady
Sex Ratio and Child Population Details
| Overall sex ratio (f/1000 m) 2011 | 977 |
| Sex ratio 2001 (f/1000 m) | 976 |
| Child sex ratio 2011 (0-6 years) | 957 |
| Child sex ratio 2001 (0-6 years) | 954 |
| Total child population 0-6 (2011) | 1,95,221 |
| Male child population 0-6 | 1,00,824 |
| Female child population 0-6 | 94,397 |
| Child population share 0-6 (%) | 13.18 |
Sex Ratio: Urban and Rural
| Category | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Total | 977 |
| Urban | 960 |
| Rural | 979 |
- Sex ratio is near balance
- About one eighth are children
- Rural sex ratio is stronger
- Child ratio is slightly low
Child Population by Urban and Rural
| Area type | Child population 0-6 | Child percentage (%) |
| Urban | 15,412 | 11.72 |
| Rural | 1,79,809 | 13.34 |
- More child share in villages
- Urban child count is lower
- Female child share is lower
- Village side has more children
Literacy Rate, Male Literacy and Female Literacy
| Average literacy rate 2011 (%) | 74.62 |
| Male literacy rate 2011 (%) | 83.68 |
| Female literacy rate 2011 (%) | 65.38 |
| Average literacy 2001 (%) | 74.62 |
| Male literacy 2001 (%) | 77.41 |
| Female literacy 2001 (%) | 50.26 |
| Total literates 2011 | 9,83,783 |
| Male literates 2011 | 5,57,217 |
| Female literates 2011 | 4,26,566 |
Urban and Rural Literacy Profile
| Category | Average literacy (%) | Male literacy (%) | Female literacy (%) |
| Total | 74.62 | 83.68 | 65.38 |
| Urban | 85.84 | 91.51 | 79.95 |
| Rural | 73.36 | 82.79 | 63.75 |
Literacy Rate by Religion
| Religion | Average literacy (%) |
| Hindu | 74.71 |
| Muslim | 72.44 |
| Christian | 79.12 |
| Religion not stated | 73.98 |
- Literacy is above average
- Male literacy is higher than female
- Urban literacy is better
- Christian literacy is the highest
Urban and Rural Population, Density and Households
| Category | Rural | Urban |
| Total population | 13,31,145 | 1,50,110 |
| Male population | 6,72,603 | 76,558 |
| Female population | 6,58,542 | 73,552 |
| Population share (%) | 89.87 | 10.13 |
| Sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 979 | 961 |
| Child population 0-6 | 1,79,809 | 15,412 |
| Male child 0-6 | 92,445 | 8,379 |
| Female child 0-6 | 87,364 | 7,033 |
| Child percentage (%) | 13.34 | 11.72 |
| Literates | 8,69,172 | 1,14,611 |
| Male literates | 4,94,987 | 62,230 |
| Female literates | 3,74,185 | 52,381 |
| Average literacy (%) | 73.36 | 85.84 |
| Male literacy (%) | 82.79 | 91.51 |
| Female literacy (%) | 63.75 | 79.95 |
Area, Density and Households
| District area (sq km) | 5,837 |
| Area under forest (sq km) | 269.33 |
| Forest share (%) | 4.61 |
| Population density 2011 (per sq km) | 253.77 |
| Population density 2001 (per sq km) | 230.45 |
| Total households | 3,37,720 |
| Houseless families | 2,904 |
| Houseless population | 11,328 |
| Number of towns | 1 |
| Number of villages | 1,404 |
- Most people live in villages
- Density is moderate
- Forest cover is small
- Only one town is counted
Religion-wise Population and Demographics
| Religion | Population | Share (%) |
| Hindu | 14,54,771 | 98.50 |
| Muslim | 16,282 | 1.10 |
| Christian | 7,125 | 0.48 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 1,612 | 0.11 |
| Buddhist | 150 | 0.01 |
| Sikh | 87 | 0.01 |
| Jain | 65 | 0.00 |
| Religion not stated | 1,163 | 0.08 |
Sex Ratio by Religion
| Religion | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Hindu | 978 |
| Muslim | 964 |
| Christian | 986 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 971 |
- Hindu community forms clear majority
- Muslim share is next largest
- Christian share is small
- Sex ratio stays close to balance
SC, ST and Social Group Population
| SC population | 2,98,780 |
| SC male population | 1,50,420 |
| SC female population | 1,48,360 |
| SC share in population (%) | 20.17 |
| SC sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 986 |
| ST population | 35,940 |
| ST male population | 18,010 |
| ST female population | 17,930 |
| ST share in population (%) | 2.43 |
| ST sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 996 |
- SC population is large
- ST share is small but present
- SC sex ratio is near balance
- Tribal count is limited here
Workforce and Economic Activity
| Total workers | 6,18,540 |
| Male workers | 3,95,280 |
| Female workers | 2,23,260 |
| Workers share in population (%) | 41.75 |
- Population: many are working
- More men work than women
- Agriculture is the main base
- Daily wage work is also seen
City List, Towns and Administrative Divisions
| Urban agglomerations | 1 urban agglomeration listed |
| Cities | 1 city (Bargarh municipality) |
| Towns | 1 town reported |
| Villages | 1,404 |
Sub-districts, Taluks and Villages
| Sub-districts / Tahsils | 12 tahasils |
| Taluks and blocks | 12 blocks |
| Sub-divisions | 2 |
| Villages | 1,404 |
- District is mainly rural
- Bargarh town is the main centre
- Villages spread across plains
- Blocks are the key local units
Languages and Cultural Profile
| Main spoken language | Odia with local tongues |
| Other common languages | Hindi, Sambalpuri, and nearby regional languages |
| Language share data | Detailed % not given |
- Odia is common home language
- Local speech is strong in villages
- Festivals and songs are popular
- Culture is tied to farming life
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of Bargarh in 2011: It is 14,81,255 people
- What is the estimated population of Bargarh in 2026: It is about 16,17,000 people
- What is the literacy rate of Bargarh district: It is around 74.62 percent
- What is the sex ratio in Bargarh district: It is about 977 females per 1,000 males
- Which religion is major in Bargarh district: Hindu community has the largest share