Walking through Mysore’s Devaraja Market on any morning, you’ll hear conversations in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Urdu, and increasingly, English – reflecting the city’s evolving demographic tapestry. Mysore demographics population data shows 12.8 lakh residents as of 2025, growing at 2.1% annually, making it Karnataka’s third-largest city. This cultural capital balances its traditional Wodeyar heritage with modern IT-driven migration, creating unique demographic patterns.
Population Growth and Distribution
Current population: 12,80,000 (2025 estimate). 2011 census showed 9,83,893. Growth rate 2.1% annually versus Karnataka’s 1.3%. Urban agglomeration reaches 15 lakhs including suburbs like Hootagalli, Belavadi, Srirampura.
Ward-wise distribution: Kuvempunagar-Vijayanagar belt densest with 45,000 residents. Old Mysore (Devaraja Mohalla, Mandi Mohalla) houses 35,000. New extensions like Dattagalli, JP Nagar growing fastest. Hebbal industrial area added 50,000 in last decade.
Population density: 6,910 per sq.km in city core. Overall density 4,200 per sq.km including outskirts. Compare Bangalore’s 11,000 per sq.km. Green cover maintains livability despite growth.
Age Distribution Patterns
0-14 years: 22% (2,81,600). Declining from 28% in 2001 indicating demographic transition. School infrastructure pressure reducing. Pediatric healthcare demand stable.
15-29 years: 27% (3,45,600). Youth bulge driven by educational institutions. 60,000+ students from outside. Marriage market active. Employment pressure significant.
30-59 years: 39% (4,99,200). Working population backbone. IT sector attracting 30-40 age group. Nuclear families increasing. Housing demand highest from this segment.
60+ years: 12% (1,53,600). Growing retirement destination. Healthcare services expanding. Old age homes increasing. Senior citizen communities forming in Jayalakshmipuram, Vijayanagar.
Language Demographics
Kannada: 67% (8,57,600). Official language, medium of administration. All communities speak functional Kannada. Mysore Kannada considered pure, accent distinct from Bangalore.
Tamil: 12% (1,53,600). Historical presence from Wodeyar era. Concentrated in Metagalli, Kyathamaranahalli. Tamil schools, temples maintain culture. Business community significant.
Telugu: 8% (1,02,400). Growing with IT migration. Hebbal, Vijayanagar see concentrations. Telugu associations active. Ugadi celebrated widely.
Urdu: 6% (76,800). Historical Muslim population. Mandi Mohalla, Udayagiri centers. Urdu medium schools exist. Eid celebrations city-wide participation.
Hindi: 4% (51,200). North Indian migration increasing. Defense, railways, business communities. Hindi gaining as link language.
Others: 3% (38,400). Marathi, Malayalam, Konkani, English speakers. Cosmopolitan pockets emerging. International yoga students add diversity.
Explore cultural diversity and community life in different neighborhoods.
Religious Composition
Hinduism: 81% (10,36,800). Chamundeshwari patron deity. 200+ temples active. Festival participation high. Various sects coexist peacefully.
Islam: 13% (1,66,400). Historical presence since Tipu era. 30+ mosques including historic Jamia Masjid. Eid, Milad-un-Nabi major celebrations.
Christianity: 4% (51,200). St. Philomena’s Church landmark. Catholic, CSI, Protestant denominations. Christmas city-wide celebration. Educational institutions significant.
Jainism: 1.5% (19,200). Ancient community, influence disproportionate to numbers. Business community strong. Jain temples in city center.
Others: 0.5% (6,400). Buddhism growing with meditation centers. Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism present. Secular/non-religious increasing among youth.
Literacy and Education
Overall literacy: 87% versus Karnataka’s 75%. Male literacy 91%, Female 83%. Gap narrowing rapidly. Youth literacy near 95%.
Educational attainment: Graduate and above 23%. Higher than state average 12%. University of Mysore contributes. Professional education seekers 15% of youth.
School enrollment: 98% at primary level. Private schools 60%, Government 40%. English medium dominating. Kannada medium declining concern.
Higher education: 50+ colleges, 15 engineering, 5 medical. Student population 60,000+. Research institutions like CFTRI, DFRL add academic character.
Employment and Occupation
Service sector: 45% employed. IT/ITES 15%, Government 12%, Education 8%, Healthcare 5%, Others 5%. Growing fastest.
Manufacturing: 20% workforce. Silk, incense, handicrafts traditional. Engineering, textiles modern additions. MSME sector significant.
Trade/Commerce: 18% engaged. Retail dominates. Devaraja Market alone employs 5,000+. Tourism-related trade growing.
Agriculture: 7% within city limits. Urban farming increasing. Flower cultivation for temples, exports. Periphery still agricultural.
Others: 10% including construction, transport, informal sector. Gig economy growing. Unemployment around 4.5%.
According to Census of India projections, Mysore will reach 15 lakhs by 2031.
Gender Demographics
Sex ratio: 985 females per 1000 males. Better than Karnataka’s 973. Child sex ratio 954 concerning. Female workforce participation 28% increasing.
Women’s education: Female graduates 21%. Engineering, medicine see gender parity. Traditional roles changing. Women entrepreneurs increasing especially in boutiques, food business.
Gender-specific issues: Safety generally good. Women’s hostels, PGs abundant. Late evening mobility concerns exist. Women-only transport minimal.
Migration Patterns
In-migration: 30,000 annually. IT professionals from Bangalore 35%. Students 40%. Retirees 10%. Business/job seekers 15%.
Out-migration: 15,000 annually. Bangalore primary destination. Higher education seekers. Better job opportunities. Some return after retirement.
Internal movement: Old city to extensions. Rental to ownership transition. Peripheral area development. Gated community preferences increasing.
International: NRI population estimated 50,000 originally from Mysore. Yoga attracts 10,000+ foreign students annually. Medical tourism growing.
Household Characteristics
Average household size: 3.8 members. Nuclear families 65%. Joint families 35% but declining. Single-person households 8% increasing.
Housing: Owned 62%, Rented 38%. Apartment living 45% up from 20% decade ago. Independent houses still preferred. Slum population 8% relatively low.
Amenities: Electricity 99%, Piped water 85%, LPG 95%, Toilets 96%, Internet 70%, Cars 35%, Two-wheelers 75%.
Social Indicators
Marriage: Mean age – Males 29, Females 25. Love marriages increasing 30%. Inter-caste marriages 15%. Divorce rate 2% but rising.
Fertility: Rate 1.8 children per woman. Below replacement level. Two-child norm established. Family planning awareness high.
Health: Infant mortality 18 per 1000. Life expectancy 72 years. Lifestyle diseases increasing. Mental health awareness growing.
Economic Demographics
Income distribution: Below Poverty Line 12%. Middle class 65%. Upper middle 18%. Rich 5%. Income inequality moderate.
Per capita income: 1,85,000 annually. Higher than Karnataka average 1,50,000. IT sector skews upward. Service sector wages rising.
Consumer behavior: Smartphone penetration 78%. Online shopping adopted 45%. Digital payments 60%. Brand consciousness increasing.
Cultural Demographics
Festival participation: Dasara universal. Religious festivals 70% participation. Cultural events 40%. Youth preferring modern entertainment.
Language preference: English in education/work increasing. Kannada in administration, social life. Code-mixing common. Pure language speakers decreasing.
Cultural activities: Classical music/dance 15% interested. Yoga/spirituality 20%. Cinema dominant entertainment. Reading habits declining.
Future Projections
2030 population: 15-16 lakhs expected. Growth rate may slow to 1.8%. Peripheral areas merging. Metropolitan region concept developing.
Demographic dividend: Youth bulge advantage till 2040. Skill development crucial. Employment generation challenge. Innovation ecosystem developing.
Challenges: Water scarcity with growth. Traffic management. Affordable housing. Maintaining cultural identity. Environmental sustainability.
Comparative Demographics
Vs Bangalore: Mysore more homogeneous. Less cosmopolitan but changing. Lower density advantage. Cultural roots stronger.
Vs Mangalore: Similar size, different character. Mysore more educational hub. Less commercial. Better planned development.
Vs Hubli-Dharwad: Mysore more tourist-oriented. Higher literacy. Better infrastructure. More retirement-friendly.
Special Populations
Students: 60,000+ floating population. Age 18-25 predominantly. Pan-Indian representation. Contribute 500 crores annually to economy.
IT professionals: 30,000+ employed. Average age 28. Higher disposable income. Changing consumption patterns. Weekend economy drivers.
Retirees: 25,000+ settled post-retirement. Prefer peaceful localities. Healthcare service consumers. Cultural activity participants.
Tourists: 30 lakh annual visitors. October-March peak. Day visitors 60%. Domestic 90%, International 10%.
FAQs About Mysore Demographics Population
What’s Mysore’s actual population including suburbs?
Urban agglomeration reaches 15 lakhs including Hootagalli, Belavadi, Kadakola, Srirampura. Metropolitan planning considers 18 lakh influence zone. Floating population adds 1 lakh daily.
Which language should newcomers learn?
Basic Kannada essential for daily life. English works in educated circles, IT sector. Hindi understood by 40% population. Local Kannada classes readily available, apps helpful.
Is Mysore becoming too crowded?
Density still manageable compared to metros. Planned development maintaining livability. Traffic increasing but not critical. Green spaces preserved. Growth rate sustainable currently.
Which areas have highest population growth?
Dattagalli, JP Nagar, Hebbal seeing 5%+ annual growth. Vijayanagar 4th stage, Hootagalli developing rapidly. Old city stable. Peripheral areas transforming from rural to urban.
What percentage of population is non-Kannadiga?
Approximately 33% non-Kannada mother tongue. But 85%+ speak functional Kannada. Integration generally smooth. Cosmopolitan pockets in IT areas, educational institutions.
Published: May 2025 | Next Update: After next demographic survey results