The Rayagada district of Odisha had a population of about 9.68 lakh approx. in 2011 and it is expected to grow steadily to reach a population of about 11.28 lakh by 2023. It has an area of 7,073 sq km and population density of about 137 persons per sq km. The sex ratio is close to 1,051 females per 1,000 males and the literacy rate is around 49.76 percent. The child sex ratio is 965 girls per 1,000 boys. The major religion is Hindu with about 64.70 percent share and Odia with local tribal tongues is the main language spoken by most people. The district population is 15.18 percent urban and 84.82 percent rural, and Rayagada accounts for about 2.31 percent of the total Odisha population. There are a total of about 2,14,551 households in the district.
Quick Overview of District Census 2021
| District name | Rayagada |
| State | Odisha |
| Population 2011 | 9,67,911 |
| Projected population 2021 | 11,03,300 |
| Projected population 2022 | 11,16,400 |
| Projected population 2023 | 11,27,700 |
| Area (sq km) | 7,073 |
| Population density (per sq km) | 137 |
| Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) | 1,051 |
| Child sex ratio (0-6 years) | 965 |
| Average literacy rate (%) | 49.76 |
| Urban population share (%) | 15.18 |
| Rural population share (%) | 84.82 |
| Total households | 2,14,551 |
- Total population is growing
- Most people live in villages
- Literacy level is low
- Female count is higher
Population and Demographics Profile
| Total population 2011 | 9,67,911 |
| Male population 2011 | 4,71,960 |
| Female population 2011 | 4,95,951 |
| Population 2001 | 8,31,109 |
| Male population 2001 | 4,09,792 |
| Female population 2001 | 4,21,317 |
| Population growth 2001–2011 (%) | 16.46 |
| Population share in Odisha 2011 (%) | 2.31 |
| Population share in Odisha 2001 (%) | 2.26 |
- Population grew by about one sixth
- Female count is higher
- Share in state is a little higher
- Rural belt dominates the district
Historic Census Data 1901–2011
| Census year | Total population | Variation % |
| 1901 | 3,78,500 | – |
| 1911 | 3,92,800 | 3.78 |
| 1921 | 3,63,700 | -7.41 |
| 1931 | 4,08,200 | 12.24 |
| 1941 | 4,55,100 | 11.49 |
| 1951 | 5,02,900 | 10.50 |
| 1961 | 6,32,800 | 25.83 |
| 1971 | 8,02,400 | 26.81 |
| 1981 | 8,98,900 | 12.03 |
| 1991 | 9,52,300 | 5.94 |
| 2001 | 8,31,109 | -12.73 |
| 2011 | 9,67,911 | 16.46 |
- Population went up in many years
- Big jump came in 1961 and 1971
- Average growth is uneven
- From 3.79 lakh to 9.68 lakh people
Population Projections up to 2036
| Year | Estimated population | Total growth since 2011 (%) |
| 2011 | 9,67,911 | 0.00 |
| 2021 | 11,03,300 | 13.99 |
| 2022 | 11,16,400 | 15.35 |
| 2023 | 11,27,700 | 16.52 |
| 2024 | 11,39,000 | 17.68 |
| 2025 | 11,50,300 | 18.85 |
| 2026 | 11,61,600 | 20.02 |
| 2027 | 11,72,200 | 21.12 |
| 2028 | 11,82,400 | 22.18 |
| 2029 | 11,92,600 | 23.24 |
| 2030 | 12,02,800 | 24.29 |
| 2031 | 12,12,700 | 25.32 |
| 2032 | 12,22,400 | 26.32 |
| 2033 | 12,32,100 | 27.33 |
| 2034 | 12,41,800 | 28.33 |
| 2035 | 12,51,400 | 29.32 |
| 2036 | 12,61,000 | 30.31 |
- Population: rising steadily
- Numbers cross 12.61 lakh by 2036
- Female count stays above male
- Growth remains gradual
Sex Ratio and Child Population Details
| Overall sex ratio (f/1000 m) 2011 | 1,051 |
| Sex ratio 2001 (f/1000 m) | 1,029 |
| Child sex ratio 2011 (0-6 years) | 965 |
| Child sex ratio 2001 (0-6 years) | 981 |
| Total child population 0-6 (2011) | 1,48,522 |
| Male child population 0-6 | 75,603 |
| Female child population 0-6 | 72,919 |
| Child population share 0-6 (%) | 15.34 |
Sex Ratio: Urban and Rural
| Category | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Total | 1,051 |
| Urban | 981 |
| Rural | 1,064 |
- Sex ratio is clearly above 1000
- About one sixth are children
- Rural sex ratio is higher
- Child ratio is lower than total
Child Population by Urban and Rural
| Area type | Child population 0-6 | Child percentage (%) |
| Urban | 16,292 | 11.09 |
| Rural | 1,32,230 | 16.10 |
- More child share in villages
- Urban child count is lower
- Female child share is a little lower
- Village side has more children
Literacy Rate, Male Literacy and Female Literacy
| Average literacy rate 2011 (%) | 49.76 |
| Male literacy rate 2011 (%) | 61.04 |
| Female literacy rate 2011 (%) | 39.19 |
| Average literacy 2001 (%) | 49.76 |
| Male literacy 2001 (%) | 48.18 |
| Female literacy 2001 (%) | 24.56 |
| Total literates 2011 | 4,07,735 |
| Male literates 2011 | 2,41,959 |
| Female literates 2011 | 1,65,776 |
Urban and Rural Literacy Profile
| Category | Average literacy (%) | Male literacy (%) | Female literacy (%) |
| Total | 49.76 | 61.04 | 39.19 |
| Urban | 78.04 | 85.56 | 70.40 |
| Rural | 44.40 | 56.16 | 33.54 |
Literacy Rate by Religion
| Religion | Average literacy (%) |
| Hindu | 49.88 |
| Christian | 55.12 |
| Muslim | 43.76 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 48.90 |
- 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 | 8,20,945 | 1,46,966 |
| Male population | 3,97,774 | 74,186 |
| Female population | 4,23,171 | 72,780 |
| Population share (%) | 84.82 | 15.18 |
| Sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 1,064 | 981 |
| Child population 0-6 | 1,32,230 | 16,292 |
| Male child 0-6 | 67,250 | 8,353 |
| Female child 0-6 | 64,980 | 7,939 |
| Child percentage (%) | 16.10 | 11.09 |
| Literates | 3,05,758 | 1,01,977 |
| Male literates | 1,81,625 | 60,334 |
| Female literates | 1,24,133 | 41,643 |
| Average literacy (%) | 44.40 | 78.04 |
| Male literacy (%) | 56.16 | 85.56 |
| Female literacy (%) | 33.54 | 70.40 |
Area, Density and Households
| District area (sq km) | 7,073 |
| Area 2001 (sq km) | 7,073 |
| Population density 2011 (per sq km) | 137 |
| Population density 2001 (per sq km) | 118 |
| Total households | 2,14,551 |
| Houseless families | 1,863 |
| Houseless population | 7,214 |
| Number of towns | 2 |
| Number of villages | 1,725 |
- Most people live in villages
- Density is low and spread out
- Houseless families are limited
- Only two towns are counted
Religion-wise Population and Demographics
| Religion | Population | Share (%) |
| Hindu | 6,26,812 | 64.70 |
| Christian | 2,68,330 | 27.69 |
| Muslim | 49,228 | 5.08 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 20,942 | 2.16 |
| Buddhist | 1,247 | 0.13 |
| Sikh | 242 | 0.02 |
| Jain | 198 | 0.02 |
| Religion not stated | 5,912 | 0.61 |
Sex Ratio by Religion
| Religion | Sex ratio (f/1000 m) |
| Hindu | 1,051 |
| Christian | 1,048 |
| Muslim | 1,001 |
| Other religions and persuasions | 1,032 |
- Hindu community forms clear majority
- Christian share is also large
- Muslim share is smaller
- Sex ratio stays above 1000
SC, ST and Social Group Population
| SC population | 55,821 |
| SC male population | 27,864 |
| SC female population | 27,957 |
| SC share in population (%) | 5.76 |
| SC sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 1,003 |
| ST population | 6,84,888 |
| ST male population | 3,39,882 |
| ST female population | 3,45,006 |
| ST share in population (%) | 70.74 |
| ST sex ratio (f/1000 m) | 1,015 |
- SC population is small
- ST share is very high
- ST forms most of the district
- Tribal life shapes local culture
Workforce and Economic Activity
| Total workers | 4,96,220 |
| Male workers | 2,64,590 |
| Female workers | 2,31,630 |
| Workers share in population (%) | 51.27 |
- Population: many are working
- Men and women both work
- Agriculture is the main base
- Forest work also matters
City List, Towns and Administrative Divisions
| Urban agglomerations | 2 urban agglomerations listed |
| Cities | 2 cities (Rayagada, Gunupur) |
| Towns | 2 towns reported |
| Villages | 1,725 |
Sub-districts, Taluks and Villages
| Sub-districts / Tahsils | 11 tahasils |
| Taluks and blocks | 11 blocks |
| Sub-divisions | 2 |
| Villages | 1,725 |
- District is mainly rural
- Rayagada and Gunupur are main centres
- Villages spread across hills
- Blocks are the key local units
Languages and Cultural Profile
| Main spoken language | Odia with local tribal tongues |
| Other common languages | Kui, Sora, and nearby regional languages |
| Language share data | Detailed % not given |
- Odia is common home language
- Tribal speech is strong in hills
- Folk dance and music are popular
- Culture is tied to tribal life
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of Rayagada in 2011: It is 9,67,911 people
- What is the estimated population of Rayagada in 2026: It is about 11,61,600 people
- What is the literacy rate of Rayagada district: It is around 49.76 percent
- What is the sex ratio in Rayagada district: It is about 1,051 females per 1,000 males
- Which religion is major in Rayagada district: Hindu community has the largest share