Mangaluru, formerly known as Mangalore, is a major coastal city in Karnataka and an important port on the western coast of India. It plays a key role in India’s coffee and cashew exports and is among the country’s leading container ports.
The city is also part of the Smart Cities Mission and serves as a major center for education, banking, trade, and tourism in coastal Karnataka.
As per Census 2011, Mangaluru had a population of 4.88 lakh. Due to rapid urbanization, port-based activities, and infrastructure growth, the city has continued to expand steadily.
👉 Projected Population of Mangalore (2026): ~7 lakh
📌 Population of Mangaluru (Census 2011)
| Mangalore City | Total | Male | Female |
| Population (Census 2011) | 4,88,968 | 242,512 | 246,456 |
| Children (0-6) | 69,596 | 36,881 | 32,715 |
| Average Literacy (%) | 83.91% | 88.67% | 78.65% |
| Sex ratio | 903 | ||
| Child Sex ratio | 887 | ||
Key Census 2011 Highlights
City Area: 135 sq. km
Population Density: 3,632 persons per sq. km
Total Literates: 4,17,649
Male Literates: 2,11,572
Female Literates: 2,06,077
Children (0–6 years): 8.86% of total population
Overall Sex Ratio: 1,016 females per 1000 males
Child Sex Ratio: 941 girls per 1000 boys
Mangaluru stands out for its high literacy levels and strong female population ratio.
Dakshina Kannada Population
Dakshina Kannada is a district in the state of Karnataka in India. Mangalore is the headquarters. As per census 2011, Dakshina Kannada’s population is 2,089,649 (20.89 Lakhs) of which 1,034,714 are males and 1,054,935 are females. The literacy rate is 88.57 % & the Male-Female Sex ratio is 1020.
The estimated Population of Dakshina Kannada in 2026 is 24 lakh
| Dakshina Kannada | Census 2011 |
| Total Population | 2,089,649 |
| Dist Area | 4,559 sq. km. |
| Pop. Density | 457 per sq. km. |
| Average Literacy (%) | 88.57 % |
| Sex Ratio | 1020 |
Key Takeaways
Mangaluru is Karnataka’s main port city and export hub.
Population crossed 4.8 lakh in 2011.
Literacy rate is among the highest in the state.
Sex ratio is strongly in favor of females.
Child population share is below 9%.
Growth is driven by port activities, education, and services.
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