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Moradabad is a major city in the western part of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is located about 167 km from New Delhi and lies on the banks of the Ramganga River. Moradabad is popularly known as “Pital Nagri” (Brass City) because of its world-famous brass handicrafts industry.
Moradabad is an important commercial and industrial center of western Uttar Pradesh. The city’s brassware products are exported worldwide, making it one of India’s major handicraft export hubs. With a population close to 1 million, Moradabad is among the largest cities of Uttar Pradesh.
According to the provisional reports of the Census of India 2011, the population of Moradabad city was 887,871 (8.87 lakh). Based on recent growth trends, the estimated population of Moradabad in 2026 is around 12 lakh (1.2 million).
👉 Estimated Population of Moradabad in 2026: ~12 lakh
Census Quick Facts
The provisional data released by Census India 2011 shows that Moradabad had a population density of about 11,838 persons per sq. km. The municipal area of the city covers approximately 75 sq. km.
| Moradabad City | Census 2011 |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 887,871 (8.87 Lakh) |
| Male Population | 464,580 |
| Female Population | 423,291 |
| Population Density | 11,838 per sq. km |
| Average Literacy Rate | 68.75% |
| Male Literacy | 72.22% |
| Female Literacy | 64.95% |
| Sex Ratio | 911 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 910 |
Source: Census 2011
Moradabad Historical Population
As per Census 2011, Moradabad recorded a high population growth rate of 38.39% during 2001–2011, reflecting rapid urban expansion and migration. The city is expected to maintain steady growth, with an estimated population growth rate of about 19% between 2011 and 2021.
Below is the historical population trend of Moradabad from 1901 to 2021.
| Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 75,082 | – | – |
| 1911 | 81,118 | 6,036 | 8.04% |
| 1921 | 82,671 | 1,553 | 1.91% |
| 1931 | 110,562 | 27,891 | 33.74% |
| 1941 | 142,414 | 31,852 | 28.81% |
| 1951 | 161,854 | 19,440 | 13.65% |
| 1961 | 191,828 | 29,974 | 18.52% |
| 1971 | 272,652 | 80,824 | 42.13% |
| 1981 | 345,350 | 72,698 | 26.66% |
| 1991 | 443,701 | 98,351 | 28.48% |
| 2001 | 641,583 | 197,882 | 44.60% |
| 2011 | 887,871 | 246,288 | 38.39% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 1,054,000 | 166,129 | 18.71% |
Sources: Census 2011
Moradabad District Population
Moradabad district is an important administrative district of western Uttar Pradesh. The city of Moradabad serves as the district headquarters. Historically, Moradabad was established in 1600 by Prince Murad, the son of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, and the city was named after him.
In 2011, a new district called Sambhal district was carved out of Moradabad district. After this bifurcation, the residual Moradabad district population became 3,126,507 (31.26 lakh).
District Quick Facts (2011)
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Area | 1,264.7 sq. km |
| Population | 3,126,507 |
| Population Density | 2,472 per sq. km |
| Urban Population | 1,156,525 (36.99%) |
| Sex Ratio | 910 |
Estimated Population of Moradabad District in 2026: ~36 lakh
Religions in Moradabad District
The district has a balanced religious composition, with both Muslim and Hindu communities forming large portions of the population. After the creation of Sambhal district, Moradabad became one of the Muslim-majority districts of Uttar Pradesh, along with Rampur district.
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Islam | 50.80% |
| Hinduism | 48.32% |
| Others / Not Stated | 0.88% |
Languages in Moradabad District
The primary languages spoken in the district are Hindi and Urdu.
| Language | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Hindi | 82.5% |
| Urdu | 17.3% |
| Others | 0.20% |
The main regional dialect spoken in the Moradabad region is Khari Boli, which forms the basis of modern standard Hindi.
Source: Census 2011
Key Takeaways
The population of Moradabad city was 8.87 lakh in 2011 and is estimated to reach around 12 lakh by 2026.
Moradabad is located in western Uttar Pradesh, about 167 km from New Delhi.
The city is popularly known as “Pital Nagri” (Brass City) due to its world-famous brass handicrafts industry.
Moradabad had a population density of 11,838 persons per sq. km in 2011, indicating a densely populated urban area.
The literacy rate is 68.75%, with male literacy higher than female literacy.
The district population was about 31.26 lakh in 2011 and is estimated to reach around 36 lakh by 2026.
Islam and Hinduism are the two major religions in the district.
The main languages spoken are Hindi and Urdu, with Khari Boli as the regional dialect.
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