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Bhiwandi is a major city in Thane District, located in the state of Maharashtra. It lies about 20 km northeast of Mumbai and around 15 km from Thane. The city forms an important part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Bhiwandi is widely known as a major textile, trading, and warehousing hub of the district. Due to rapid industrial and commercial growth, the city has experienced significant population expansion over the past few decades.
As per the Census 2011, Bhiwandi had a population of 7.10 lakh. Based on recent trends, the estimated population in 2026 is around 9 lakh.
👉 Estimated Population of Bhiwandi (2026): ~9 lakh
Bhiwandi City Population (Census 2011)
| Particulars | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 7,09,665 |
| Male Population | 4,15,339 |
| Female Population | 2,94,326 |
| Population Density | 26,871 per sq. km |
| Average Literacy Rate | 79.48% |
| Male Literacy | 82.04% |
| Female Literacy | 75.71% |
| Sex Ratio | 709 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 944 |
| Children (0–6 years) | 91,825 |
Source: Census 2011
✅ Key Takeaways
Bhiwandi is one of the most densely populated cities in Maharashtra, with over 26,000 people living per square kilometer.
The city has a strong male population dominance, reflected in its low sex ratio of 709 females per 1000 males.
Literacy levels are moderate, with male literacy notably higher than female literacy.
Nearly 13% of the population consists of children below six years, indicating a relatively young population base.
Rapid industrialization and warehousing activities have played a major role in the city’s population growth.
Religion in Bhiwandi
Bhiwandi has a Muslim-majority population, with Islam being the most widely followed religion. Hinduism is the second-largest religion in the city, followed by Jainism and Buddhism.
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Muslims | 56.01% |
| Hindus | 39.34% |
| Jains | 2.66% |
| Buddhists | 1.55% |
| Christians | 0.23% |
| Sikhs | 0.05% |
| Others | 0.03% |
| Not Stated | 0.12% |
Source: Census 2011
Bhiwandi Historical Population
As per Census 2011, Bhiwandi has a population growth rate of 18.53% during 2001-2011. It’s expected to have a population growth rate of 14% during 2011-2021.
Let’s look at population & percentage change from Year 1901 to 2021.
| Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
| 1901 | 10,354 | – | – |
| 1911 | 13,292 | 2,938 | 28.38% |
| 1921 | 12,188 | -1,104 | -8.31% |
| 1931 | 15,619 | 3,431 | 28.15% |
| 1941 | 18,776 | 3,157 | 20.21% |
| 1951 | 25,764 | 6,988 | 37.22% |
| 1961 | 47,630 | 21,866 | 84.87% |
| 1971 | 79,576 | 31,946 | 67.07% |
| 1981 | 170,599 | 91,023 | 114.38% |
| 1991 | 379,070 | 208,471 | 122.20% |
| 2001 | 598,741 | 219,671 | 57.95% |
| 2011 | 709,665 | 110,924 | 18.53% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 810,000 | 100,335 | 14.14% |
Sources: Census 2011
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