The Bhadrak district of Odisha had a population of about 15.06 lakh approx. in 2011 and it is expected to grow steadily to reach a population of about 16.79 lakh by 2025. It has an area of 2,520 sq km and population density of about 598 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is close to 984 females per 1,000 males and the literacy rate is around 82.78 percent. The child sex ratio is 943 girls per 1,000 boys. The major religion is Hindu with about 97.11 percent share and Odia with Urdu and Bengali are the main languages spoken by most people. The district population is 12.34 percent urban and 87.66 percent rural, and Bhadrak accounts for about 3.59 percent of the total Odisha population. There are a total of about 3,32,291 households in the district.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021
| District name | Bhadrak |
| State | Odisha |
| Population 2011 | 15,06,337 |
| Estimated population 2025 | 16,79,000 |
| Estimated population 2026 | 16,88,000 |
| Area (sq km) | 2,520 |
| Population density (per sq km) | 598 |
| Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) | 984 |
| Child sex ratio (0-6 years) | 943 |
| Average literacy rate (%) | 82.78 |
| Urban population share (%) | 12.34 |
| Rural population share (%) | 87.66 |
| Total households | 3,32,291 |
- Total population is growing steadily
- Most people live in villages
- Literacy level is high
- Odia is the main tongue
Population and Demographics Profile
| Total population 2011 | 15,06,337 |
| Male population 2011 | 7,60,260 |
| Female population 2011 | 7,46,077 |
| Population 2001 | 13,33,749 |
| Male population 2001 | 6,75,642 |
| Female population 2001 | 6,58,107 |
| Population growth 2001–2011 (%) | 12.93 |
| Population share in Odisha 2011 (%) | 3.59 |
| Population share in Odisha 2001 (%) | 3.62 |
- Population grew by around 13 percent
- Male count is a bit higher
- Share in state is slightly lower now
- Rural side dominates the district
Historic Census Data 1901–2011
| Census year | Total population | Variation % |
| 1901 | 4,83,914 | – |
| 1911 | 4,99,118 | 3.14 |
| 1921 | 4,60,375 | -7.76 |
| 1931 | 5,10,940 | 10.98 |
| 1941 | 5,73,221 | 12.19 |
| 1951 | 6,35,774 | 10.92 |
| 1961 | 8,02,445 | 26.21 |
| 1971 | 10,13,880 | 26.36 |
| 1981 | 11,99,550 | 18.32 |
| 1991 | 12,96,881 | 8.11 |
| 2001 | 13,33,749 | 2.84 |
| 2011 | 15,06,337 | 12.93 |
- Population grew in most decades
- Big jump came in 1961 and 1971
- Average growth is moderate
- From 4.84 lakh to 15.06 lakh people
Population Projections up to 2036
| Year | Estimated population | Total growth since 2011 (%) |
| 2011 | 15,06,337 | 0.00 |
| 2025 | 16,79,000 | 11.46 |
| 2026 | 16,88,000 | 12.06 |
| 2027 | 16,96,000 | 12.59 |
| 2028 | 17,04,000 | 13.12 |
| 2029 | 17,12,000 | 13.65 |
| 2030 | 17,20,000 | 14.18 |
| 2031 | 17,26,500 | 14.61 |
| 2032 | 17,32,400 | 15.00 |
| 2033 | 17,38,300 | 15.39 |
| 2034 | 17,44,200 | 15.78 |
| 2035 | 17,50,100 | 16.17 |
| 2036 | 17,56,000 | 16.56 |
- Population: growing slowly
- Numbers cross 17.56 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 | 981 |
| Sex ratio 2001 (f/1000 m) | 975 |
| Child sex ratio 2011 (0-6 years) | 943 |
| Child sex ratio 2001 (0-6 years) | 938 |
| Total child population 0-6 (2011) | 1,84,560 |
| Male child population 0-6 | 95,005 |
| Female child population 0-6 | 89,555 |
| Child population share 0-6 (%) | 12.25 |
Sex Ratio: Urban and Rural
| Category | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Total | 981 |
| Urban | 955 |
| Rural | 985 |
- Sex ratio is close to balance
- About one eighth are children
- Rural sex ratio is stronger
- Child ratio is lower than total ratio
Child Population by Urban and Rural
| Area type | Child population 0-6 | Child percentage (%) |
| Urban | 22,684 | 12.20 |
| Rural | 1,61,876 | 12.26 |
- Child share is similar in both areas
- Urban child count is lower
- Female child share is close
- Village side still leads
Literacy Rate, Male Literacy and Female Literacy
| Average literacy rate 2011 (%) | 82.78 |
| Male literacy rate 2011 (%) | 89.64 |
| Female literacy rate 2011 (%) | 75.83 |
| Average literacy 2001 (%) | 82.78 |
| Male literacy 2001 (%) | 84.65 |
| Female literacy 2001 (%) | 62.85 |
| Total literates 2011 | 10,94,140 |
| Male literates 2011 | 5,96,269 |
| Female literates 2011 | 4,97,871 |
Urban and Rural Literacy Profile
| Category | Average literacy (%) | Male literacy (%) | Female literacy (%) |
| Total | 82.78 | 89.64 | 75.83 |
| Urban | 79.48 | 84.85 | 73.87 |
| Rural | 83.24 | 90.32 | 76.10 |
Literacy Rate by Religion
| Religion | Average literacy (%) |
| Hindu | 82.84 |
| Muslim | 80.17 |
| Christian | 85.91 |
| Religion not stated | 82.41 |
- Literacy is above national average
- Male literacy is higher than female
- Rural literacy is slightly better
- Christian literacy is highest
Urban and Rural Population, Density and Households
| Category | Rural | Urban |
| Total population | 13,20,499 | 1,85,838 |
| Male population | 6,65,255 | 95,005 |
| Female population | 6,55,244 | 90,833 |
| Population share (%) | 87.66 | 12.34 |
| Sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 985 | 955 |
| Child population 0-6 | 1,61,876 | 22,684 |
| Male child 0-6 | 83,623 | 11,382 |
| Female child 0-6 | 78,253 | 11,302 |
| Child percentage (%) | 12.26 | 12.20 |
| Literates | 9,64,713 | 1,29,427 |
| Male literates | 5,25,719 | 70,550 |
| Female literates | 4,38,994 | 58,877 |
| Average literacy (%) | 83.24 | 79.48 |
| Male literacy (%) | 90.32 | 84.85 |
| Female literacy (%) | 76.10 | 73.87 |
Area, Density and Households
| District area (sq km) | 2,520 |
| Area 2001 (sq km) | 2,520 |
| Population density 2011 (per sq km) | 598 |
| Population density 2001 (per sq km) | 530 |
| Total households | 3,32,291 |
| Houseless families | 4,118 |
| Houseless population | 16,245 |
| Number of towns | 1 |
| Number of villages | 1,297 |
- Most people live in villages
- Density is high for coastal belt
- Houseless families are limited
- Only one town is counted
Religion-wise Population and Demographics
| Religion | Population | Share (%) |
| Hindu | 14,61,926 | 97.11 |
| Muslim | 22,882 | 1.52 |
| Christian | 13,454 | 0.89 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 5,112 | 0.34 |
| Buddhist | 301 | 0.02 |
| Sikh | 243 | 0.02 |
| Jain | 77 | 0.01 |
| Religion not stated | 342 | 0.02 |
Sex Ratio by Religion
| Religion | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Hindu | 981 |
| Muslim | 974 |
| Christian | 992 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 968 |
- Hindu community forms clear majority
- Muslim share is next largest
- Christian share is smaller but clear
- Sex ratio stays near balance
SC, ST and Social Group Population
| SC population | 2,80,371 |
| SC male population | 1,41,020 |
| SC female population | 1,39,351 |
| SC share in population (%) | 18.61 |
| SC sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 988 |
| ST population | 35,216 |
| ST male population | 17,721 |
| ST female population | 17,495 |
| ST share in population (%) | 2.34 |
| ST sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 987 |
- SC population is notable in size
- ST share is small but present
- SC sex ratio is near balance
- Tribal families are fewer here
Workforce and Economic Activity
| Total workers | 6,72,845 |
| Male workers | 4,25,990 |
| Female workers | 2,46,855 |
| Workers share in population (%) | 44.69 |
- Population: many are working
- More men work than women
- Agriculture is the main base
- Fisheries and small trade matter
City List, Towns and Administrative Divisions
| Urban agglomerations | 1 urban agglomeration listed |
| Cities | 1 city (Bhadrak municipality) |
| Towns | 1 town reported |
| Villages | 1,297 |
Sub-districts, Taluks and Villages
| Sub-districts / Tahsils | 7 tahasils |
| Taluks and blocks | 7 blocks |
| Villages | 1,297 |
- District is mainly rural
- Bhadrak town is the main centre
- Villages spread across plains
- Blocks are the key local units
Languages and Cultural Profile
| Main spoken language | Odia with Urdu and Bengali |
| Other common languages | Hindi and nearby regional languages |
| Language share data | Detailed % not given |
- Odia is common home language
- Urdu and Bengali are also heard
- Festivals and songs are popular
- Culture is closely tied to coast
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of Bhadrak in 2011: It is 15,06,337 people
- What is the estimated population of Bhadrak in 2026: It is about 16,88,000 people
- What is the literacy rate of Bhadrak district: It is around 82.78 percent
- What is the sex ratio in Bhadrak district: It is about 984 females per 1,000 males
- Which religion is major in Bhadrak district: Hindu community has the largest share