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Tirunelveli, also known as Nellai, is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the sixth-largest city in the state after Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Salem. The city is over 2,000 years old and is famous for the historic Nellaiappar Temple.
As per the provisional reports of Census India 2011, the population of Tirunelveli city was 473,637 (4.73 lakh). The city continues to grow steadily as an educational, commercial, and administrative hub in southern Tamil Nadu.
👉 Estimated Population of Tirunelveli in 2026: ~6 lakh
Tirunelveli City Census 2011
| Category | Census 2011 |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 473,637 |
| Male Population | 233,659 |
| Female Population | 239,978 |
| Area | 190 sq. km |
| Density | 4,370 per sq. km |
| Average Literacy | 90.39% |
| Male Literacy | 94.75% |
| Female Literacy | 86.18% |
| Sex Ratio | 1,027 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 951 |
| Children (0–6 years) | 46,624 |
Key Takeaways
Tirunelveli had a population of 4.73 lakh in 2011.
Literacy rate is high at 90.39%, reflecting strong educational standards.
Sex ratio of 1,027 females per 1000 males is significantly above the national average (940 in 2011).
Children (0–6 years) formed 9.84% of the total population.
Population density stood at 4,370 persons per sq. km in 2011.
Tirunelveli District Population
Tirunelveli district is one of the historic districts of Tamil Nadu. Originally formed in 1790 during the East India Company period, it later came under direct British Crown administration. The name Tirunelveli is derived from the Tamil words “Thiru–Nel–Veli,” meaning “Sacred Paddy Hedge.” As per Census 2011, Tirunelveli district had a population of 3,077,233 (30.77 lakh).
Estimated Population of Tirunelveli District in 2026: ~35 lakh
Tirunelveli District Census 2011 Data
| Category | Census 2011 |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 3,077,233 |
| Male Population | 1,520,912 |
| Female Population | 1,556,321 |
| Average Literacy | 82.50% |
| Sex Ratio | 1,023 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 1,023 |
Religion in Tirunelveli District
Hindus – 78.83%
Christians – 11.12%
Muslims – 9.77%
Others/Not stated – 0.24%
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