The Kalahandi district of Odisha had a population of about 15.77 lakh approx. in 2011 and it is expected to grow steadily to reach a population of about 18.90 lakh by 2025. It has an area of 7,920 sq km and population density of about 199 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is close to 1,003 females per 1,000 males and the literacy rate is around 59.22 percent. The child sex ratio is 957 girls per 1,000 boys. The major religion is Hindu with about 98.64 percent share and Odia with local tongues is the main language spoken by most people. The district population is 7.74 percent urban and 92.26 percent rural, and Kalahandi accounts for about 3.76 percent of the total Odisha population. There are a total of about 3,12,000 households in the district.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021
| District name | Kalahandi |
| State | Odisha |
| Population 2011 | 15,76,869 |
| Estimated population 2025 | 18,90,000 |
| Estimated population 2026 | 19,00,000 |
| Area (sq km) | 7,920 |
| Population density (per sq km) | 199 |
| Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) | 1,003 |
| Child sex ratio (0-6 years) | 957 |
| Average literacy rate (%) | 59.22 |
| Urban population share (%) | 7.74 |
| Rural population share (%) | 92.26 |
| Total households | 3,12,000 |
- Total population is rising slowly
- Most people live in villages
- Literacy level is low
- Hindu share is very high
Population and Demographics Profile
| Total population 2011 | 15,76,869 |
| Male population 2011 | 7,87,101 |
| Female population 2011 | 7,89,768 |
| Population 2001 | 13,35,494 |
| Male population 2001 | 6,67,526 |
| Female population 2001 | 6,67,968 |
| Population growth 2001–2011 (%) | 18.07 |
| Population share in Odisha 2011 (%) | 3.76 |
| Population share in Odisha 2001 (%) | 3.63 |
- Population grew by more than one fifth
- Female count is slightly higher
- Share in state also increased
- Rural side dominates the district
Historic Census Data 1901–2011
| Census year | Total population | Variation % |
| 1901 | 4,95,210 | – |
| 1911 | 5,14,180 | 3.83 |
| 1921 | 4,81,360 | -6.38 |
| 1931 | 5,37,240 | 11.61 |
| 1941 | 5,93,880 | 10.54 |
| 1951 | 6,48,700 | 9.23 |
| 1961 | 8,15,260 | 25.68 |
| 1971 | 10,42,900 | 27.93 |
| 1981 | 12,44,380 | 19.32 |
| 1991 | 13,70,410 | 10.13 |
| 2001 | 13,35,494 | -2.55 |
| 2011 | 15,76,869 | 18.07 |
- Population changed with some ups and downs
- Big rise came in 1961 and 1971
- Average growth is modest
- From 4.95 lakh to 15.77 lakh people
Population Projections up to 2036
| Year | Estimated population | Total growth since 2011 (%) |
| 2011 | 15,76,869 | 0.00 |
| 2025 | 18,90,000 | 19.85 |
| 2026 | 19,00,000 | 20.48 |
| 2027 | 19,10,000 | 21.12 |
| 2028 | 19,20,000 | 21.75 |
| 2029 | 19,30,000 | 22.38 |
| 2030 | 19,40,000 | 23.01 |
| 2031 | 19,48,000 | 23.52 |
| 2032 | 19,55,000 | 23.96 |
| 2033 | 19,62,000 | 24.41 |
| 2034 | 19,69,000 | 24.85 |
| 2035 | 19,76,000 | 25.30 |
| 2036 | 19,83,000 | 25.74 |
- Population: growing slowly
- Numbers near 19.83 lakh by 2036
- Female count stays close to male
- Rural belt keeps the lead
Sex Ratio and Child Population Details
| Overall sex ratio (f/1000 m) 2011 | 1,003 |
| Sex ratio 2001 (f/1000 m) | 1,001 |
| Child sex ratio 2011 (0-6 years) | 957 |
| Child sex ratio 2001 (0-6 years) | 984 |
| Total child population 0-6 (2011) | 2,22,570 |
| Male child population 0-6 | 1,15,679 |
| Female child population 0-6 | 1,06,891 |
| Child population share 0-6 (%) | 14.11 |
Sex Ratio: Urban and Rural
| Category | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Total | 1,003 |
| Urban | 953 |
| Rural | 1,008 |
- Sex ratio is slightly above 1000
- About one seventh are children
- Rural sex ratio is stronger
- Child ratio is lower than before
Child Population by Urban and Rural
| Area type | Child population 0-6 | Child percentage (%) |
| Urban | 13,807 | 11.30 |
| Rural | 2,08,763 | 14.36 |
- More child share in villages
- Urban child count is low
- Female child share is lower
- Village side has more children
Literacy Rate, Male Literacy and Female Literacy
| Average literacy rate 2011 (%) | 59.22 |
| Male literacy rate 2011 (%) | 71.90 |
| Female literacy rate 2011 (%) | 46.68 |
| Average literacy 2001 (%) | 59.22 |
| Male literacy 2001 (%) | 62.66 |
| Female literacy 2001 (%) | 29.28 |
| Total literates 2011 | 8,02,036 |
| Male literates 2011 | 4,84,177 |
| Female literates 2011 | 3,17,859 |
Urban and Rural Literacy Profile
| Category | Average literacy (%) | Male literacy (%) | Female literacy (%) |
| Total | 59.22 | 71.90 | 46.68 |
| Urban | 81.60 | 88.38 | 74.52 |
| Rural | 57.28 | 70.43 | 44.34 |
Literacy Rate by Religion
| Religion | Average literacy (%) |
| Hindu | 59.30 |
| Muslim | 60.85 |
| Christian | 67.11 |
| Religion not stated | 58.94 |
- Literacy is low in the district
- Male literacy is higher than female
- Urban literacy is much better
- Christian literacy is highest
Urban and Rural Population, Density and Households
| Category | Rural | Urban |
| Total population | 14,54,882 | 1,21,987 |
| Male population | 7,24,646 | 62,455 |
| Female population | 7,30,236 | 59,532 |
| Population share (%) | 92.26 | 7.74 |
| Sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 1,008 | 953 |
| Child population 0-6 | 2,08,763 | 13,807 |
| Male child 0-6 | 1,08,496 | 7,183 |
| Female child 0-6 | 1,00,267 | 6,624 |
| Child percentage (%) | 14.36 | 11.30 |
| Literates | 7,13,762 | 88,274 |
| Male literates | 4,35,330 | 48,847 |
| Female literates | 2,78,432 | 39,427 |
| Average literacy (%) | 57.28 | 81.60 |
| Male literacy (%) | 70.43 | 88.38 |
| Female literacy (%) | 44.34 | 74.52 |
Area, Density and Households
| District area (sq km) | 7,920 |
| Area 2001 (sq km) | 7,920 |
| Population density 2011 (per sq km) | 199 |
| Population density 2001 (per sq km) | 169 |
| Total households | 3,12,000 |
| Houseless families | 2,510 |
| Houseless population | 9,840 |
| Number of towns | 1 |
| Number of villages | 1,815 |
- Most people live in villages
- Density is moderate in the district
- Houseless families are limited
- Only one town is counted
Religion-wise Population and Demographics
| Religion | Population | Share (%) |
| Hindu | 15,47,013 | 98.11 |
| Muslim | 16,402 | 1.04 |
| Christian | 9,214 | 0.58 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 2,870 | 0.18 |
| Buddhist | 320 | 0.02 |
| Sikh | 198 | 0.01 |
| Jain | 95 | 0.01 |
| Religion not stated | 757 | 0.05 |
Sex Ratio by Religion
| Religion | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Hindu | 1,004 |
| Muslim | 963 |
| Christian | 941 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 987 |
- Hindu community forms clear majority
- Muslim share is next largest
- Christian share is small
- Sex ratio stays near balance
SC, ST and Social Group Population
| SC population | 2,86,580 |
| SC male population | 1,44,311 |
| SC female population | 1,42,269 |
| SC share in population (%) | 18.17 |
| SC sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 986 |
| ST population | 4,49,456 |
| ST male population | 2,22,689 |
| ST female population | 2,26,767 |
| ST share in population (%) | 28.51 |
| ST sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 1,018 |
- SC and ST groups are both large
- ST population is especially strong
- ST sex ratio is above 1000
- Tribal families shape local life
Workforce and Economic Activity
| Total workers | 6,48,930 |
| Male workers | 4,21,620 |
| Female workers | 2,27,310 |
| Workers share in population (%) | 41.14 |
- Population: many are working
- More men work than women
- Agriculture is the main base
- Daily labour is also common
City List, Towns and Administrative Divisions
| Urban agglomerations | 1 urban agglomeration listed |
| Cities | 1 city (Bhawanipatna urban centre) |
| Towns | 1 town reported |
| Villages | 1,815 |
Sub-districts, Taluks and Villages
| Sub-districts / Tahsils | 13 tahasils |
| Taluks and blocks | 13 blocks |
| Sub-divisions | 1 |
| Villages | 1,815 |
- District is mainly rural
- Bhawanipatna is the main centre
- Villages are spread widely
- Blocks are the key local units
Languages and Cultural Profile
| Main spoken language | Odia with local tongues |
| Other common languages | Hindi, Kui, and nearby regional languages |
| Language share data | Detailed % not given |
- Odia is common home language
- Tribal speech is heard in many belts
- Festivals and folk music are popular
- Culture is closely tied to forest life
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of Kalahandi in 2011: It is 15,76,869 people
- What is the estimated population of Kalahandi in 2026: It is about 19,00,000 people
- What is the literacy rate of Kalahandi district: It is around 59.22 percent
- What is the sex ratio in Kalahandi district: It is about 1,003 females per 1,000 males
- Which religion is major in Kalahandi district: Hindu community has the largest share