Patiala is a historic city in southeastern Punjab, northwestern India. It is the fourth largest city in the state and was founded in 1763 by Ala Singh, the Sidhu Jat chieftain who established the royal dynasty of the former Patiala State. The city developed around the historic Qila Mubarak complex.
As per Census 2011, the population of Patiala city was 406,192 (4.06 lakh). The city is known for its educational institutions, cultural heritage, and administrative importance in Punjab.
Based on recent growth trends, the estimated population of Patiala in 2026 is around 5 lakh.
👉 Projected Population of Patiala (2026): ~5 lakh
Patiala Demography (Census 2011)
| Patiala City | Census 2011 |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 406,192 (4.06 lakh) |
| Male Population | 215,617 |
| Female Population | 190,575 |
| Population Density | 5,803 per sq. km |
| City Area | 70 sq. km |
Key Takeaways
Average Literacy Rate: 85.78%
Male Literacy: 88.85%
Female Literacy: 82.31%
Total Literates: 313,583
Sex Ratio: 884 females per 1000 males (Note: earlier source mentions 903; 2011 official figure is 884)
Child Sex Ratio: 864
Children (0–6 years): 40,615 (10.33% of total population)
Patiala has a relatively high literacy rate compared to the national average. However, the sex ratio remains below India’s 2011 national average of 940.
Patiala Historical Population
Patiala has witnessed steady growth over the last century. At the beginning of the 20th century, the population was just above 50,000. After independence, the city expanded steadily and crossed 4 lakh by 2011.
Between 2001 and 2011, Patiala recorded a strong growth rate of 32.93%, higher than many other major Punjab cities.
Let’s look at population & percentage change from 1901 to 2021.
| Year | Population | Actual Change | % Change |
| 1901 | 53,545 | – | – |
| 1911 | 46,974 | -6,571 | -12.27% |
| 1921 | 47,531 | 557 | 1.19% |
| 1931 | 55,129 | 7,598 | 15.99% |
| 1941 | 69,850 | 14,721 | 26.70% |
| 1951 | 97,869 | 28,019 | 40.11% |
| 1961 | 125,234 | 27,365 | 27.96% |
| 1971 | 151,041 | 25,807 | 20.61% |
| 1981 | 206,254 | 55,213 | 36.55% |
| 1991 | 252,589 | 46,335 | 22.47% |
| 2001 | 305,562 | 52,973 | 20.97% |
| 2011 | 406,192 | 100,630 | 32.93% |
| 2021 (estimate) | 480,200 | 74,008 | 18.22% |
Sources: Census 2011
Patiala District Population
Patiala district is one of the twenty-two districts in the state of Punjab in northwest India. As per the census 2011, Its population is 1,895,686 (18.95 Lakhs) and the estimated population of Patiala District in 2026 is 22 lakh.
| Patiala district | Census 2011 |
| Population | 1,895,686 |
| Male | 10,02,522 |
| Female | 8,93,164 |
| Average Literacy (%) | 75.28% |
| Sex ratio | 891 |
| Child Sex ratio | 837 |
Religion in Patiala District
Patiala district has a Sikh majority, with a significant Hindu population.
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Sikhism | 55.91% |
| Hinduism | 41.32% |
| Islam | 2.11% |
| Others | 0.65% |
Sikhism forms the majority religion in the district, while Hindus represent a substantial minority, especially in urban areas.
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