> > India >> States >> Madhya Pradesh
Indore is the largest city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in central India. It is the commercial and educational hub of the state and ranks among the most populous urban centers in the country.
According to the Census of India 2011, Indore had a population of 1,964,086 (19.64 lakh), making it the most populated city in Madhya Pradesh. It also emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing cities during the 2001–2011 decade.
Based on recent growth trends, the estimated population of Indore in 2026 is around 25–26 lakh (2.5–2.6 million), reflecting steady urban expansion and migration.
👉 Projected Population of Indore City (2026): ~2.6 Million (26 Lakh)
Indore City Population (Census 2011)
| Particulars | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,964,086 |
| Male Population | 1,020,057 |
| Female Population | 944,029 |
| City Area | 130 sq. km |
| Population Density | 15,108 per sq. km |
| Literacy Rate | 85.57% |
| Sex Ratio | 925 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 895 |
| Children (0–6 Years) | 233,130 |
Source: Census 2011
Key Takeaways – Indore Demographics
Indore is the largest and most populous city in Madhya Pradesh.
The city recorded a 30.66% population growth during 2001–2011.
Population density is high at 15,108 persons per sq. km, indicating strong urbanization.
Literacy rate stands at 85.57%, higher than the state average.
The sex ratio of 925 is slightly below the national average.
Children (0–6 years) form about 11.87% of the total population.
Indore Historical Population
As per Census 2011, Indore has a population growth rate of 30.66% during 2001-2011. It’s expected to have a population growth rate of 16% during 2011-2021.
At the start of the 20th century, the Indore population was one lakh & it don’t show any major growth until 1951. After the Independence of India, it saw a steady growth & reached 1 million in 1991 & 2 million in 2020. Let’s look at population & percentage change from Year 1901 to 2021.
| Year | Population | Actual Change | Percentage Change |
| 1901 | 97,804 | – | – |
| 1911 | 54,142 | -43,662 | -44.64% |
| 1921 | 105,317 | 51,175 | 94.52% |
| 1931 | 142,524 | 37,207 | 35.33% |
| 1941 | 203,695 | 61,171 | 42.92% |
| 1951 | 310,859 | 107,164 | 52.61% |
| 1961 | 394,941 | 84,082 | 27.05% |
| 1971 | 560,936 | 165,995 | 42.03% |
| 1981 | 829,327 | 268,391 | 47.85% |
| 1991 | 1,107,321 | 277,994 | 33.52% |
| 2001 | 1,503,237 | 395,916 | 35.75% |
| 2011 | 1,964,086 | 460,849 | 30.66% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 2,270,000 | 305,914 | 15.58% |
Sources: Census 2011
Indore District Population
The Indore District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state, India. It’s the most populous of the 50 districts in Madhya Pradesh. Indore is the administrative center of district, and largest city of Madhya Pradesh. As per census 2011, the Indore District population is 3,276,697 (32.76 Lakh)
👉 Estimated population of Indore District in 2026 ~38 lakh.
| Particulars | Census 2011 Data |
| Total Population | 3,276,697 |
| Dist. Area | 3,898 |
| Pop. Density | 841 per sq. km |
| Average Literacy (%) | 71.92% |
| Sex Ratio | 875 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 881 |
Know more about Madhya Pradesh