The Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh had a population of 36,76,841 as per the 2011 Census, spread over 1,535 sq km with a population density of around 2,395 persons per sq km. The sex ratio stands at 913 females for every 1000 males, and the overall literacy rate is 75.60%. The child sex ratio is 913 girls per 1000 boys in the 0–6 age group. Hindu population forms the largest religious group in the district, and Hindi is the main language used in daily life. A sizeable share of people live in urban pockets around the city, while many still reside in the surrounding rural belt. The district has more than six lakh households in total, covering both urban and rural areas.
Quick Overview — Varanasi Census 2011
| Key Fact |
Figure |
| Total Population (2011) |
36,76,841 |
| Male Population (2011) |
19,21,857 |
| Female Population (2011) |
17,54,984 |
| Area |
1,535 sq km |
| Population Density |
2,395 persons/sq km |
| Sex Ratio |
913 |
| Overall Literacy Rate |
75.60% |
- Varanasi is a compact district with a very high population density.
- Male population is slightly higher than female population.
- Literacy levels are higher than many other districts in the state.
- Urban and rural areas together shape the district’s social picture.
Population of Varanasi
| Population Detail |
2011 Value |
2001 Value |
| Total Population |
36,76,841 |
31,38,671 |
| Male Population |
19,21,857 |
16,49,187 |
| Female Population |
17,54,984 |
14,89,484 |
| Decadal Growth (2001–2011) |
17.32% |
25.51% (1991–2001) |
| Population Density |
2,395 persons/sq km |
2,047 persons/sq km |
Historical Population Data
| Census Year |
Population |
Decadal Growth |
| 1901 | 10,63,152 | - |
| 1911 | 10,74,000 | 1.02% |
| 1921 | 10,36,000 | -3.54% |
| 1931 | 11,53,000 | 11.31% |
| 1941 | 12,98,000 | 12.57% |
| 1951 | 14,68,000 | 13.10% |
| 1961 | 17,13,000 | 16.69% |
| 1971 | 21,36,000 | 24.76% |
| 1981 | 26,70,000 | 24.96% |
| 1991 | 30,49,000 | 14.24% |
| 2001 | 31,38,671 | 2.94% |
| 2011 | 36,76,841 | 17.32% |
Population Projections
| Year |
Estimated Population |
| 2025 |
42,00,000 (approx.) |
| 2026 |
42,00,000+ (district estimate around 42 lakh) |
Literacy Rate in Varanasi
| Literacy Detail |
2011 Rate |
2001 Rate |
| Overall Literacy |
75.60% |
66.12% |
| Male Literacy |
83.77% |
77.87% |
| Female Literacy |
66.69% |
53.05% |
- Literacy in Varanasi has improved strongly over the decade.
- Female literacy has risen, but still trails male literacy by a clear margin.
- Urban parts of the district generally show higher literacy than rural areas.
Sex Ratio and Child Population
| Category |
Figure |
| Overall Sex Ratio (females per 1000 males) |
913 |
| Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) |
913 |
| Total Child Population (0–6 years) |
4,90,694 |
| Male Children (0–6 years) |
2,56,420 |
| Female Children (0–6 years) |
2,34,274 |
| Children (0–6) as % of Total Population |
13.34% |
Religion-wise Population
| Religion |
Population |
Share of Total |
| Hindu |
29,08,234 |
79.07% |
| Muslim |
7,27,865 |
19.79% |
| Christian |
5,537 |
0.15% |
| Sikh |
2,804 |
0.08% |
| Buddhist |
2,059 |
0.06% |
| Jain |
2,406 |
0.07% |
| Other Religions |
1,117 |
0.03% |
| Religion Not Stated |
27,819 |
0.76% |
Hindus form a clear majority in Varanasi district, with Muslims as the second-largest community. Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other smaller groups together make up only a small fraction of the overall population, adding their own layers to the district’s cultural mix.
SC and ST Population
| Caste Group |
Population |
Percentage of Total |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) |
4,86,958 |
13.24% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
28,617 |
0.78% |
Urban and Rural Population
| Region |
Population |
Share of District |
| Urban Population |
15,97,051 |
43.44% |
| Rural Population |
20,79,790 |
56.56% |
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households (2001) |
4,30,651 |
Workforce and Occupation
| Workforce Category |
Number of People |
| Total Workers (2001) |
11,69,889 |
| Male Workers (2001) |
9,58,217 |
| Female Workers (2001) |
2,11,672 |
| Non-Workers (2001) |
19,68,782 |
Administrative Divisions
| Administrative Unit |
Count |
| Tehsils |
3 |
| Villages (Census Directory) |
1,295 |
Towns and Cities
| Town / City |
Population (2011) |
| Varanasi Municipal Corporation |
11,98,491 |
| Ramnagar Nagar Palika Parishad |
49,132 |
Language Spoken
| Language |
Remarks |
| Hindi |
Main language spoken across the district |
Households
| Household Detail |
Count |
| Total Households (2001) |
4,30,651 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the population of Varanasi district? — The population of Varanasi district is 36,76,841 as per the 2011 Census.
- What is the literacy rate of Varanasi? — Varanasi has a literacy rate of 75.60%, with higher literacy in males than females.
- What is the sex ratio in Varanasi district? — The sex ratio in Varanasi district is 913 females per 1000 males.
- Which religion is most common in Varanasi? — Hindu religion is the most common in Varanasi, followed by a sizeable Muslim population.
- What is the child sex ratio in Varanasi? — The child sex ratio in Varanasi is 913 girls per 1000 boys in the age group 0–6 years.
- How many villages are there in Varanasi district? — The Census directory lists 1,295 villages in Varanasi district.
- What is the SC/ST population of Varanasi? — Scheduled Castes number 4,86,958 and Scheduled Tribes number 28,617 in the district.
- What is the urban population share in Varanasi? — About 15,97,051 people, or 43.44% of the district population, live in urban areas.