Bhavnagar is a major city in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India. After Rajkot, it is the second-largest city in the region. Earlier, it was the capital of the former Bhavnagar State, which merged with India in 1948.
As per the Census of India 2011, the population of Bhavnagar City is 593,368 (5.93 lakh), including 308,892 males and 284,476 females. The city has an average literacy rate of 84.70% and a sex ratio of 921 females per 1,000 males.
The estimated population of Bhavnagar in 2026 is around 8.60 lakh.
Bhavnagar City Census 2011 Data
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 593,368 (5.93 lakh) |
| Male Population | 308,892 |
| Female Population | 284,476 |
| Literacy Rate | 84.70% |
| Male Literacy | 90.15% |
| Female Literacy | 78.85% |
| Sex Ratio | 921 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 844 |
| Children (0–6 Years) | 65,741 |
| Area | 108.27 sq. km |
| Density | 5,480 per sq. km |
Source: Census 2011
Bhavnagar Population Growth Rate
As per the Census 2011, Bhavnagar recorded a population growth rate of 16.10% during 2001–2011. It is estimated to grow at around 10% during 2011–2021.
After Independence, Bhavnagar experienced steady urban development, which resulted in continuous population growth, especially after the 1950s.
Historical Population (1901–2021)
| Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 56,442 | – | – |
| 1911 | 60,694 | 4,252 | 7.53% |
| 1921 | 59,392 | -1,302 | -2.15% |
| 1931 | 75,594 | 16,202 | 27.28% |
| 1941 | 102,851 | 27,257 | 36.06% |
| 1951 | 137,951 | 35,100 | 34.13% |
| 1961 | 176,473 | 38,522 | 27.92% |
| 1971 | 225,358 | 48,885 | 27.70% |
| 1981 | 307,121 | 81,763 | 36.28% |
| 1991 | 402,338 | 95,217 | 31.00% |
| 2001 | 511,085 | 108,747 | 27.03% |
| 2011 | 593,368 | 82,283 | 16.10% |
| 2021 (Est.) | 654,000 | 60,632 | 10.22% |
Source: Census 2011
Key Takeaways
Projected Population of Bhavnagar (2026): ~8.60 lakh
Bhavnagar recorded a population growth of 16.10% between 2001 and 2011.
The city has a high literacy rate of 84.70%, higher than the national average.
The sex ratio of 921 indicates moderate gender balance.
Children (0–6 years) form about 11.08% of the total population.
Bhavnagar District Population
Bhavnagar District is located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. As per Census 2011, the district population is 2,880,365 (28.80 lakh), including 1,490,201 males and 1,390,164 females.
The district has a literacy rate of 75.52%, a sex ratio of 932, and a child sex ratio of 891.
The estimated population of Bhavnagar District in 2026 is around 34 lakh.
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