Kalaburagi, formerly known as Gulbarga, is a major city in the northern region of Karnataka. It is the largest city in North Karnataka and ranks among the most populated urban centers in the state.
The city is located about 623 km north of Bengaluru and nearly 220 km from Hyderabad, making it an important administrative and commercial hub in the region. As per Census 2011, Kalaburagi had a population of 5.33 lakh. With steady urban expansion and migration, the city’s population has continued to grow in recent years.
👉 Projected Population of Kalaburagi (2026): ~7 lakh
📌 Population of Kalaburagi (Census 2011)
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,33,587 | 2,71,660 | 2,61,927 |
| Children (0–6) | 68,511 | 35,505 | 33,006 |
| Literacy Rate | 82.30% | 87.87% | 76.57% |
| Sex Ratio | 964 | – | – |
| Child Sex Ratio | 930 | – | – |
📍 Key Census 2011 Highlights
Population Density: 8,275 persons per sq. km
City Area: 192 sq. km
Total Literates: 3,82,775
Male Literates: 2,07,498
Female Literates: 1,75,277
Children (0–6 years): 12.84% of total population
Overall Sex Ratio: 964 females per 1000 males
Child Sex Ratio: 930 girls per 1000 boys
Kalaburagi shows relatively good literacy and sex ratio compared to national averages, though female literacy still remains lower than male literacy.
Gulbarga Historical Population
The city recorded strong growth after independence and saw rapid urbanization after 1980. Between 2001 and 2011, population growth was nearly 24%.
Decadal Population Growth (1901-2021)
| Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
| 1901 | 29,228 | – | – |
| 1911 | 32,437 | -6,571 | -22.48% |
| 1921 | 35,820 | 557 | 1.72% |
| 1931 | 41,083 | 7,598 | 21.21% |
| 1941 | 53,551 | 14,721 | 35.83% |
| 1951 | 77,189 | 28,019 | 52.32% |
| 1961 | 97,069 | 27,365 | 35.45% |
| 1971 | 145,588 | 25,807 | 26.59% |
| 1981 | 221,325 | 55,213 | 37.92% |
| 1991 | 307,124 | 46,335 | 20.94% |
| 2001 | 422,569 | 52,973 | 17.25% |
| 2011 | 533,587 | 100,630 | 23.81% |
| 2021 | 595,000 | 61,413 | 11.51% |
Gulbarga District Population
Gulbarga is a district of Karnataka in India. As per census 2011, Gulbarga District population is 25,66,326 (25.66 Lakhs) of which 13,01,755 are males and 12,64,571 are females. The literacy rate is 64.85% & the Male-Female Sex ratio is 971. The child sex ratio is 943.
👉 Estimated population of Gulbarga District in 2026 ~ 29 lakh.
🔍 Key Takeaways
Kalaburagi is the largest city in North Karnataka.
Population grew by nearly 24% between 2001–2011.
Literacy rate in the city is above 82%.
Sex ratio is better than the national average.
Urban growth is driven by education, trade, and administration.
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