Sambalpur Population Overview
Sambalpur is one of the major cities in the state of Odisha, India. Located on the banks of the Mahanadi River, the city is known for its rich cultural heritage, temples, historic landmarks, and scenic surroundings. Sambalpur is globally recognized for the Hirakud Dam — the world’s longest earthen dam — which has created one of Asia’s largest artificial lakes and serves as a major source of irrigation and power generation.
As per Census 2011, the population of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation was 335,761 (3.35 lakh), comprising 78,803 households across 41 wards.
👉 Estimated Population of Sambalpur City in 2026 ~ 4 Lakh
Sambalpur Municipal Corporation – Key Data (Census 2011)
Sambalpur is governed by the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC), which was officially constituted on 15 November 2013 by merging the old Sambalpur Municipality, Burla NAC, Hirakud NAC, and several surrounding Gram Panchayats from Dhankauda and Maneswar blocks. The expanded municipal corporation area now covers approximately 303 sq. km.
| Particulars | Census 2011 |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 335,761 (3.35 Lakh) |
| Area | 303 sq. km |
| Number of Wards | 41 |
| Households | 78,803 |
| Slums | 171 |
| Road Length | 782.65 km |
| Drain Length | 464.22 km |
Source: Census of India 2011
Sambalpur District Population 2026
Sambalpur district is an important administrative district of Odisha. As per the official Census 2011 data released by the Directorate of Census Operations, Odisha, the total population of Sambalpur district was 1,041,099 (10.41 lakh). In comparison, the district population in 2001 was 935,613, indicating steady population growth over the decade.
Sambalpur district accounts for a small but significant share of Odisha’s total population and serves as a key economic and cultural center in western Odisha.
Demographic Profile (Census 2011)
As per Census 2011:
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Total Population: 1,041,099
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Population Density: 158 persons per sq. km
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Sex Ratio: 973 females per 1000 males
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Literacy Rate: 76.91%
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Urban Population: 29.59%
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Scheduled Castes: 18.43%
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Scheduled Tribes: 34.12%
Sambalpur district ranked 433rd in India (out of 640 districts) in terms of population in 2011.
Sambalpur District – Historical Population
Sambalpur district has witnessed steady population growth over the past century, with accelerated expansion after 1961 due to irrigation, industrial development, and urbanization following the construction of the Hirakud Dam.
| Year | Population | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 215,645 | — |
| 1911 | 249,710 | +15.8% |
| 1921 | 261,043 | +4.5% |
| 1931 | 291,723 | +11.8% |
| 1941 | 328,576 | +12.6% |
| 1951 | 355,685 | +8.3% |
| 1961 | 445,745 | +25.3% |
| 1971 | 549,157 | +23.2% |
| 1981 | 682,700 | +24.3% |
| 1991 | 809,017 | +18.5% |
| 2001 | 930,476 | +15.0% |
| 2011 | 1,041,099 | +11.9% |
Source: Census of India
The district recorded a decadal growth rate of 11.63% between 2001 and 2011, indicating moderate population expansion compared to earlier decades.
Religion in Sambalpur District (2011)
Hinduism is the dominant religion in Sambalpur district, followed by Christianity and Islam.
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Hindu | 92.61% |
| Christian | 4.86% |
| Muslim | 1.93% |
| Other / Not Stated | 0.60% |
The district’s religious composition reflects the broader demographic pattern of western Odisha, with a significant tribal population contributing to cultural diversity.
Languages in Sambalpur District (2011)
Sambalpur district is linguistically diverse. Odia is the primary language, while Sambalpuri (a western Odia dialect) is widely spoken across the region.
| Language | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Odia | 52.41% |
| Sambalpuri | 26.38% |
| Kisan | 4.98% |
| Hindi | 3.98% |
| Mundari | 3.88% |
| Sadri | 1.85% |
| Kharia | 1.49% |
| Others | 5.03% |
The presence of tribal languages such as Mundari, Kisan, and Kharia reflects the district’s substantial Scheduled Tribe population.