The East Sikkim district of Sikkim had a population of about 2.84 lakh in 2011 and it is expected to grow steadily to reach a population of around 3.33 lakh by 2025. It has an area of 954 sq km and population density of 297 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is close to 873 females per 1000 males and the literacy rate is around 83.85 percent. The child sex ratio is 960 girls per 1000 boys. The major religion is Hindu with about 62.74 percent and Nepali‑related languages are the main languages spoken by the majority. The district population is about 43.19 percent urban and 56.81 percent rural, and Gangtok city accounts for a large share of the total population. There are a total of 61,567 households in the district.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021
| Item |
Value |
| Total area | 954 sq km |
| Total population 2011 | 283,583 |
| Population density | 297 per sq km |
| Sex ratio | 873 females per 1000 males |
| Average literacy | 83.85% |
| Urban proportion | 43.19% |
| Rural proportion | 56.81% |
| Households | 61,567 |
Population and Projections
| Year |
Population |
Remarks |
| 1961 | 56,704 | Base figure |
| 1971 | 85,620 | Big rise |
| 1981 | 138,760 | 62.07% jump |
| 1991 | 178,460 | Slower growth |
| 2001 | 245,040 | 37.31% rise |
| 2011 | 283,583 | 15.73% rise |
| 2025 | 325,613 | Projected |
| 2026 | 328,384 | Projected |
Sex Ratio and Child Population
| Category |
Sex ratio |
Child 0–6 (girls per 1000 boys) |
| Total | 873 | 960 |
| Urban | 905–906 | 935 |
| Rural | 849 | 979 |
| SC community | 977 | Not stated |
| ST community | 987 | Not stated |
Child Population 0–6 Years
| Group |
Count |
Share of total |
| Total child population | 27,984 | 9.87% |
| Male children | 14,277 | Not % |
| Female children | 13,707 | Not % |
| Urban child population | 11,761 | 9.45% of urban |
| Rural child population | 16,223 | 9.41% of rural |
Literacy and Education
| Category |
Average literacy % |
Male % |
Female % |
| All ages total | 83.85 | 88.47 | 78.50 |
| Urban | 88.90 | 92.50 | 84.91 |
| Rural | 79.99 | 85.50 | 73.40 |
| Hindu | 84.44 | 89.33 | 78.50 |
| Buddhist | 82.73 | 87.10 | 78.26 |
| Christian | 84.56 | 88.65 | 80.57 |
| Muslim | 75.79 | 77.76 | 71.40 |
Religion and Caste Data
| Religion |
Percentage |
Population |
| Hindu | 62.74% | 177,910 |
| Buddhist | 25.55% | 72,455 |
| Christian | 8.25% | 23,398 |
| Muslim | 2.19% | 6,198 |
| Sikh | 0.30% | 861 |
| Jain | 0.08% | 214 |
| Other religions | 0.61% | 1,726 |
| Not stated | 0.29% | 821 |
| Caste |
Share of total |
Population |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 5.40% | 15,305 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 27.66% | 78,436 |
Urban and Rural Distribution
| Type |
Population |
Share in total |
| Total population | 283,583 | 100% |
| Urban | 122,487 | 43.19% |
| Rural | 161,096 | 56.81% |
- Urban population grows faster than rural
- Rural sex ratio is lower than urban
- Child proportion is slightly higher in rural areas
- Literacy is higher in urban wards
Area and Households
| Item |
Value |
| Total area | 954 sq km |
| Population density | 297 per sq km |
| Households | 61,567 |
| Towns | 4 |
| Villages | 123 |
Administrative Divisions and Towns
| Type |
Units |
Notes |
| Sub‑districts (tahsils) | 3 | Gangtok‑type sub‑divisions |
| Villages | 123 | Rural habitation clusters |
| Towns | 4 | Urban classified centres |
- Gangtok is the main urban centre
- Other towns are smaller market and service hubs
- Most sub‑districts are still village‑dominated
- Administrative blocks focus on rural governance
Workforce and Economic Profile
| Item |
Figure |
Share in total |
| Total workers | 139,678 | 49.25% |
| Male workers | 92,351 | Not % |
| Female workers | 47,327 | Not % |
- Almost half of population is working age
- Male workers outnumber female workers
- Agriculture and services are major sources
- Shop and office jobs present in urban centres
Key Urban Agglomerations and Cities
| City / Agglomeration |
Population |
Male |
Female |
| Gangtok (M Corp) | 100,286 | 52,459 | 47,827 |
| Other towns | Remainder 22,201 | Not listed | Not listed |
Houseless and Marginal Households
| Item |
Number |
Share of total |
| Houseless families | 39 | Very small |
| Houseless persons | 130 | 0.046% |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: What is the total population of East Sikkim in 2011
- Answer: About 2.84 lakh people lived in East Sikkim district in 2011.
- Question: Is East Sikkim more urban or rural
- Answer: About 57 percent population lives in rural villages and 43 percent in urban areas.
- Question: Which religion is followed by most people in East Sikkim
- Answer: Hindu is the largest religion, followed by about 63 percent people.
- Question: How many people live in Gangtok city
- Answer: Around one lakh people live in Gangtok as per the 2011 district census.
- Question: How many households are in East Sikkim district
- Answer: There are about 61,567 households in East Sikkim district.