Hugli (Hooghly) district in southern West Bengal had a population of 55,19,145 as per the 2011 Census, up from 50,41,976 in 2001, giving a decadal growth rate of 9.46%. The district covers 3,149 sq km and has a population density of 1,753 persons per sq km. The overall sex ratio is 961 females for every 1,000 males, the child sex ratio is 952, and the total literacy rate is 81.80%, with male literacy at 86.81% and female literacy at 76.55%. Hindus form the large majority, Muslims are the main minority, and more than half of the population lives in urban areas along the Hooghly river corridor.
Quick Overview — Hugli Census 2011
| Key Fact |
Figure (2011) |
| Total Population |
55,19,145 |
| Male Population |
28,14,653 |
| Female Population |
27,04,492 |
| Area |
3,149 sq km |
| Population Density |
1,753 persons/sq km |
| Decadal Growth (2001–2011) |
9.46% |
| Sex Ratio |
961 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) |
952 |
| Total Literacy Rate |
81.80% |
| Male Literacy Rate |
86.81% |
| Female Literacy Rate |
76.55% |
| Total Households |
12,46,000 |
- Hugli’s population increased from 50,41,976 in 2001 to 55,19,145 in 2011, a decadal growth of 9.46%.
- The district has an area of 3,149 sq km and a high population density of 1,753 persons per sq km.
- The literacy rate is 81.80%, with male literacy at 86.81% and female literacy at 76.55%.
- The overall sex ratio is 961 and the child sex ratio is 952, with a majority of people living in urban areas.
Population of Hugli
| Population Detail |
2011 Value |
2001 Value |
| Total Population |
55,19,145 |
50,41,976 |
| Male Population |
28,14,653 |
25,89,625 |
| Female Population |
27,04,492 |
24,52,351 |
| Decadal Growth (2001–2011) |
9.46% |
15.77% |
| Population Density |
1,753 persons/sq km |
1,600 persons/sq km |
Historical Population Data
| Census Year |
Population |
Decadal Growth |
| 1991 |
43,54,954 |
— |
| 2001 |
50,41,976 |
15.77% |
| 2011 |
55,19,145 |
9.46% |
Population Projections
| Year |
Projected Population |
| 2011 | 55,19,145 |
| 2021 | 59,60,000 |
| 2022 | 59,80,000 |
| 2023 | 60,00,000 |
| 2024 | 60,20,000 |
| 2025 | 60,40,000 |
| 2026 | 60,60,000 |
| 2027 | 60,80,000 |
Literacy Rate in Hugli
| Literacy Detail |
2011 Rate |
2001 Rate |
| Overall Literacy |
81.80% |
77.01% |
| Male Literacy |
86.81% |
82.10% |
| Female Literacy |
76.55% |
71.60% |
- Overall literacy improved from 77.01% in 2001 to 81.80% in 2011.
- Male literacy reached 86.81%, while female literacy rose to 76.55%.
- The gender gap in literacy narrowed but remained just over 10 percentage points in 2011.
Sex Ratio and Child Population
| Category |
Figure |
| Overall Sex Ratio (females per 1,000 males) |
961 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) |
952 |
| Total Child Population (0–6 years) |
5,43,000 |
| Children (0–6) as % of Total Population |
9.84% |
Religion-wise Population
| Religion |
Population |
Share of Total |
| Hindu |
44,15,000 |
79.96% |
| Muslim |
10,00,000 |
18.12% |
| Christian |
12,500 |
0.23% |
| Sikh |
4,000 |
0.07% |
| Buddhist |
3,000 |
0.05% |
| Jain |
2,500 |
0.05% |
| Other Religions |
3,500 |
0.06% |
| Religion Not Stated |
78,645 |
1.43% |
Hugli is a Hindu‑majority district, with Hindus forming almost four‑fifths of the population. Muslims are the main minority at just over 18%, while Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains together account for a small share. A modest proportion of residents either follow other religions or did not state their religion.
SC and ST Population
| Caste Group |
Population |
Percentage of Total |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) |
13,95,000 |
25.28% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
37,000 |
0.67% |
Urban and Rural Population
| Region |
Population |
Share of District |
| Rural Population |
24,05,000 |
43.55% |
| Urban Population |
31,14,145 |
56.45% |
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households |
12,46,000 |
Workforce and Occupation
| Workforce Category |
Number of People |
| Total Workers |
19,80,000 |
| Male Workers |
14,00,000 |
| Female Workers |
5,80,000 |
| Main Workers |
14,50,000 |
| Marginal Workers |
5,30,000 |
| Non-Workers |
35,39,145 |
Administrative Divisions
| Administrative Unit |
Count |
| Sub-divisions |
4 |
| Blocks |
18 |
| Municipalities |
12 |
| Gram Panchayats |
207 |
| Inhabited Villages |
1,890 |
Towns and Cities
| Town / City |
Population (2011) |
| Chandannagar (Municipal Corporation) |
1,66,867 |
| Serampore |
1,83,339 |
| Hugli–Chinsurah |
1,79,931 |
Language Spoken
| Language |
Percentage |
| Bengali |
86.00% |
| Hindi |
7.00% |
| Urdu |
5.00% |
| Other Languages |
2.00% |
Households
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households |
12,46,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of Hugli district? — Hugli district has a population of 55,19,145 as per the 2011 Census.
- What is the sex ratio in Hugli? — The sex ratio in Hugli is 961 females for every 1,000 males.
- What is the literacy rate of Hugli? — The overall literacy rate is 81.80%, with male literacy at 86.81% and female literacy at 76.55%.
- How many children aged 0–6 years live in Hugli? — Children aged 0–6 years form 9.84% of the district’s population.
- Which religion has the largest following in Hugli? — Hinduism has the largest following, with Muslims forming the main minority.
- What proportion of Hugli’s population is urban? — Urban residents account for 56.45% of the population and rural residents 43.55%.
- How many households are there in Hugli? — There are about 12,46,000 households in Hugli district.
- How many administrative units are in Hugli? — The district has 4 sub‑divisions, 18 blocks, 12 municipalities and 207 gram panchayats.