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Gorakhpur is a major city located in the north-eastern part of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city lies about 273 kilometers northeast of Lucknow, the state capital. Gorakhpur is an important cultural, educational, and commercial center of eastern Uttar Pradesh and is also close to the border of Nepal.
According to the provisional data of the 2011 Census of India, the population of Gorakhpur city was 673,446 (6.73 lakh). The city has witnessed steady urban growth over the past few decades due to expansion in trade, education, healthcare, and transportation facilities.
Based on current growth trends, the estimated population of Gorakhpur in 2026 is around 10 lakh (1 million), making it one of the rapidly growing cities in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
👉 Projected Population of Gorakhpur in 2026: ~10 lakh
Census Quick Facts 2011
The initial provisional data released by census India 2011, shows that the density of Gorakhpur for 2011 is 4766 people per sq. km. Gorakhpur city administers an area is 141 sq. km
| Gorakhpur City | Census 2011 |
| Total Population | 673,446 (6.73 Lacs) |
| Male Population | 353,907 |
| Female Population | 319,539 |
| Average Literacy (%) | 83.91% |
| % of Male Literates | 88.67% |
| % of Female Literates | 78.65% |
| Sex Ratio | 903 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 887 |
| Children (0-6 years) | 69,596 |
Gorakhpur Historical Population
As per Census 2011, Gorakhpur recorded a population growth rate of 8.15% between 2001 and 2011. With increasing urban development and migration from nearby rural areas, the city is expected to continue growing steadily.
Below is the historical population trend of Gorakhpur city from 1901 to 2021.
| Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 64,148 | – | – |
| 1911 | 56,892 | -7,256 | -11.31% |
| 1921 | 57,985 | 1,093 | 1.92% |
| 1931 | 75,644 | 17,659 | 30.45% |
| 1941 | 95,127 | 19,483 | 25.76% |
| 1951 | 132,436 | 37,309 | 39.22% |
| 1961 | 180,255 | 47,819 | 36.11% |
| 1971 | 230,911 | 50,656 | 28.10% |
| 1981 | 313,418 | 82,507 | 35.73% |
| 1991 | 505,566 | 192,148 | 61.31% |
| 2001 | 622,701 | 117,135 | 23.17% |
| 2011 | 673,446 | 50,745 | 8.15% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 743,000 | 69,554 | 10.33% |
Sources: Census 2011
Gorakhpur District Population
Gorakhpur district is one of the major districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. According to the 2011 Census, the district had a population of 4,440,895 (44.4 lakh).
The district had a population density of 1,337 persons per sq. km and recorded a population growth rate of 17.81% during 2001–2011. The sex ratio of the district is 944 females per 1000 males, and the literacy rate is 70.83%. Around 18.83% of the district population lives in urban areas.
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 21.08% and 0.41% of the population respectively.
Estimated Population of Gorakhpur District in 2026: ~50 lakh
Religions in Gorakhpur District
Religion composition in the district is as follows:
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Hinduism | 90.28% |
| Islam | 9.09% |
| Others / Not Stated | 0.63% |
Languages in Gorakhpur District
The official language of the district is Hindi, while Urdu is the additional official language. At the time of the 2011 Census, the majority of residents spoke Bhojpuri, which is the dominant regional language of eastern Uttar Pradesh.
| Language | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Bhojpuri | 51.31% |
| Hindi | 46.48% |
| Urdu | 2.02% |
| Others | 0.19% |
The Bhojpuri variant of Kaithi script is traditionally associated with the Bhojpuri language in this region.
Key Takeaways
The population of Gorakhpur city was 6.73 lakh in 2011 and is estimated to reach around 10 lakh by 2026.
Gorakhpur is a major city of north-eastern Uttar Pradesh, located 273 km from Lucknow.
The city had a population density of 4,766 persons per sq. km in 2011, indicating a densely populated urban area.
Gorakhpur has a literacy rate of 83.91%, with male literacy higher than female literacy.
The sex ratio is 903 females per 1000 males, slightly lower than the national average.
The district population was 44.4 lakh in 2011 and is estimated to reach around 50 lakh by 2026.
Hinduism is the dominant religion, followed by Islam.
Bhojpuri is the most widely spoken language, followed by Hindi and Urdu.
Note: In many Indian cities, official municipal boundaries cover only the core urban area, so the reported city population may appear smaller than the actual urban population. In such cases, the district population often provides a better reflection of the broader urban region, as Census city limits and Urban Agglomeration (UA) definitions do not always capture the full functional city area.
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