Tamil Nadu Population by Religion 2023

Tamil Nadu is the most populous southern state of India and has a diverse population of many religions & communities. At the census 2011, out of 7.21 Crore population, around 6.31 crores (87.58%) have returned themselves as followers of Hindu religion, 44 lakhs (6.12%) as Christians, 42 Lakhs (5.86%) as Muslims or the followers of Islam, and  0.17% as followers of other religions. In addition, 0.26% Stated no religion.

Source: Census 2011

also read Population of  Tamil Nadu

#ReligionPopulation 2011
1Hindu63,188,168
2Christian4,418,331
3Muslim4,229,479
4Jain89,265
5Sikh14,601
6Buddhist11,186
7Other religions and persuasions7,414
8Religion not stated188,586
 Total72,147,030

Source: Census 2011

Religion in Tamil Nadu by Percentage

#ReligionPercentage %
1Hindu87.58%
2Christian6.12%
3Muslim5.86%
4Jain0.12%
5Sikh0.02%
6Buddhist0.02%
7Other religions and persuasions0.01%
8Religion not stated0.26%

Source: Census 2011

Religion in Tamil Nadu - Rural Population

#ReligionRural PopulationPercentage %
1Hindu34,548,26292.80%
2Christian1,598,6164.29%
3Muslim993,8222.67%
4Jain10,0840.03%
5Sikh4,1490.01%
6Buddhist3,2850.01%
7Other religions and persuasions2,5870.01%
8Religion not stated68,7850.18%
 Total37,229,590 

Source: Census 2011

Religion in Tamil Nadu - Urban Population

#ReligionUrban PopulationPercentage %
1Hindu28,639,90682.02%
2Muslim3,235,6579.27%
3Christian2,819,7158.08%
4Jain79,1810.23%
5Sikh10,4520.03%
6Buddhist7,9010.02%
7Other religions and persuasions4,8270.01%
8Religion not stated119,8010.34%
 Total34,917,440 

Source: Census 2011

Tamil Nadu Population - Caste wise

CastePopulation (%)
OBC*71%
Dalits (SCs)20%
Tribals (STs)1.10%
General caste4 %
Others4%
  

*Govt has not enumerated caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in Census 2011. So OBC Percentage is not accurate & based on various estimates.

Caste wise population in Tamil Nadu

The government only enumerated caste-wise populations for SCs and STs in the 2011 Census.

Main Caste Group
Vanniyan
Adi Dravida
Maravan
Yadav/Konar/Ayar
Pallan 
Viswakarma
Kaikolan
Ilavan/ Ezhavas
Brahmin 
Boya
Paraiyan 
Nadar (Hindu traditions)
Vellalar 
Nair
Nadar (Christian traditions)
Kallan 
Arunthathiyar
Chakkiliyan 
Kuruba
Yadav Gola

*100+ other subgroups/castes are present in TN with a population of less than 1%

Caste wise population in Tamil Nadu

Estimated Percentage of some of the main people subgroups/castes in Tamil Nadu. However, it should be noted that these are rough estimates and have not been verified by any State/ Central government department. The government has only enumerated caste-wise populations for SCs and STs in Census 2011.

#Caste GroupPercentage
1Vanniyan14%
2Adi Dravida9%
3Maravan4%
4Yadav/Konar/Ayar3-4%
5Pallan 3%
6Viswakarma3%
7Kaikolan3%
8Ilavan/ Ezhavas3%
9Brahmin 2-3%
10Boya2.60%
11Paraiyan 2.55%
12Nadar (Hindu traditions)2-3%
13Vellalar 2.24%
14Nair1.68%
15Nadar (Christian traditions)1.44%
16Kallan 1.37%
17Arunthathiyar1.35%
18Chakkiliyan 1.18%
19Kuruba1.13%
20Yadav Gola1%

*100+ other subgroups/castes are present in TN with a population of less than 1%

Source: Joshua Project and various news articles

Please note that the Caste percentage and percentage provided above is for general information only. It should not be considered reliable as it is based on non-governmental studies and news reports, and may not be accurate or up-to-date.

Tamil Nadu Population by religion | Caste wise Population

Rajeev Rana

Rajeev Rana loves reading about history and demography and has been writing on these topics for five years. While not a certified expert, he has a deep understanding of demography in India. Rajeev contributes to several websites and has extensive knowledge of the Delhi NCR area.