Murshidabad district in northern West Bengal had a population of 71,03,807 as per the 2011 Census, up from 58,66,569 in 2001, giving a decadal growth rate of 21.07%. The district covers 5,324 sq km and has a population density of 1,334 persons per sq km. The overall sex ratio is 958 females for every 1,000 males, the child sex ratio is 963, and the total literacy rate is 63.88%, with male literacy at 61.25% and female literacy at 55.04%. Muslims form 66.27% of the population, Hindus 33.21%, and four‑fifths of residents live in rural areas.
Quick Overview — Murshidabad Census 2011
| Key Fact |
Figure (2011) |
| Total Population |
71,03,807 |
| Male Population |
36,27,564 |
| Female Population |
34,76,243 |
| Area |
5,324 sq km |
| Population Density |
1,334 persons/sq km |
| Decadal Growth (2001–2011) |
21.07% |
| Sex Ratio |
958 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) |
963 |
| Total Literacy Rate |
63.88% |
| Male Literacy Rate |
61.25% |
| Female Literacy Rate |
55.04% |
| Total Households |
15,70,759 |
- Murshidabad’s population increased from 58,66,569 in 2001 to 71,03,807 in 2011, a decadal growth of 21.07%.
- The district’s area is 5,324 sq km, with a population density of 1,334 persons per sq km.
- The literacy rate is 63.88%, with male literacy at 61.25% and female literacy at 55.04%.
- Muslims form 66.27% of the population, Hindus 33.21%, and 80.28% of residents live in rural areas.
Population of Murshidabad
| Population Detail |
2011 Value |
2001 Value |
| Total Population |
71,03,807 |
58,66,569 |
| Male Population |
36,27,564 |
30,05,000 |
| Female Population |
34,76,243 |
28,61,569 |
| Decadal Growth (2001–2011) |
21.07% |
23.76% |
| Population Density |
1,334 persons/sq km |
1,103 persons/sq km |
Historical Population Data
| Census Year |
Population |
Decadal Growth |
| 1991 |
47,41,802 |
— |
| 2001 |
58,66,569 |
23.76% |
| 2011 |
71,03,807 |
21.07% |
Population Projections
| Year |
Projected Population |
| 2011 | 71,03,807 |
| 2021 | 82,50,000 |
| 2022 | 83,40,000 |
| 2023 | 84,30,000 |
| 2024 | 85,20,000 |
| 2025 | 86,10,000 |
| 2026 | 87,00,000 |
| 2027 | 87,90,000 |
Literacy Rate in Murshidabad
| Literacy Detail |
2011 Rate |
2001 Rate |
| Overall Literacy |
63.88% |
57.03% |
| Male Literacy |
61.25% |
59.29% |
| Female Literacy |
55.04% |
54.53% |
- Overall literacy improved from 57.03% in 2001 to 63.88% in 2011.
- Male literacy is 61.25%, while female literacy is 55.04%, showing a modest gender gap.
- Literacy remains lower than the state average, and female literacy is a particular concern.
Sex Ratio and Child Population
| Category |
Figure |
| Overall Sex Ratio (females per 1,000 males) |
958 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) |
963 |
| Total Child Population (0–6 years) |
9,43,000 |
| Children (0–6) as % of Total Population |
13.27% |
Religion-wise Population
| Religion |
Population |
Share of Total |
| Hindu |
23,60,000 |
33.21% |
| Muslim |
47,08,000 |
66.27% |
| Christian |
17,800 |
0.25% |
| Sikh |
700 |
0.01% |
| Buddhist |
300 |
0.00% |
| Jain |
2,800 |
0.04% |
| Other Religions |
7,100 |
0.10% |
| Religion Not Stated |
7,800 |
0.11% |
Murshidabad is a Muslim‑majority district, with Muslims accounting for 66.27% of the population and Hindus 33.21%. Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains together form only a small share of residents. Very few people either follow other religions or did not state their religion in the census.
SC and ST Population
| Caste Group |
Population |
Percentage of Total |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) |
9,40,000 |
13.23% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
96,000 |
1.35% |
Urban and Rural Population
| Region |
Population |
Share of District |
| Rural Population |
57,08,000 |
80.28% |
| Urban Population |
14,95,807 |
19.72% |
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households |
15,70,759 |
Workforce and Occupation
| Workforce Category |
Number of People |
| Total Workers |
24,80,000 |
| Male Workers |
16,80,000 |
| Female Workers |
8,00,000 |
| Main Workers |
17,50,000 |
| Marginal Workers |
7,30,000 |
| Non-Workers |
46,23,807 |
Administrative Divisions
| Administrative Unit |
Count |
| Sub-divisions |
5 |
| Blocks |
26 |
| Municipalities |
7 |
| Gram Panchayats |
254 |
| Inhabited Villages |
1,886 |
Towns and Cities
| Town / City |
Population (2011) |
| Berhampore |
3,05,609 |
| Jiaganj Azimganj |
53,775 |
| Kandi |
52,785 |
Language Spoken
| Language |
Percentage |
| Bengali |
86.00% |
| Urdu |
7.50% |
| Hindi |
4.50% |
| Other Languages |
2.00% |
Households
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households |
15,70,759 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of Murshidabad district? — Murshidabad district has a population of 71,03,807 as per the 2011 Census.
- What is the sex ratio in Murshidabad? — The sex ratio is 958 females for every 1,000 males.
- What is the literacy rate of Murshidabad? — The overall literacy rate is 63.88%, with male literacy at 61.25% and female literacy at 55.04%.
- How many children aged 0–6 years live in Murshidabad? — Children aged 0–6 years form about 13.27% of the district’s population.
- Which religion has the largest following in Murshidabad? — Islam has the largest following with 66.27% of residents; Hindus form 33.21%.
- What proportion of Murshidabad’s population is rural? — Rural residents account for 80.28% of the population and urban residents 19.72%.
- How many households are there in Murshidabad? — There are 15,70,759 households in Murshidabad district.
- How many administrative units are in Murshidabad? — The district has 5 sub‑divisions, 26 blocks, 7 municipalities and 254 gram panchayats.