Demographics of Darjeeling

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Historical populations^[1]
Census year	Population	Growth (%)

1901	17,000
1911	19,000	12.30
1921	22,000	17.12
1931	21,000	-4.82
1941	27,000	28.51
1951	34,000	23.44
1961	41,000	20.97
1971	43,000	5.47
1981	58,000	34.36
1991	71,000	24.07
2001	1,03,000	44.63

As per the 2001 census, the Darjeeling urban agglomeration (which includes Pattabong Tea Garden), with an area of 12.77 km², has a population of 1,09,163. Also, the town has an additional average diurnal floating population of 20500 - 30000, mainly comprising of the tourists and visitors.^[1] The population density is 8548 per km². The sex ratio is 1017 females per 1000 males^[2]– which is higher than the national average. The town houses about 31% of its population in the slums. This is the result of the unprecedented urban growth due to the unsustainable migration in the area (mainly the low class wage earner) for better opportunity.^[1]

The town of Darjeeling has seen fluctuation in the growth of its population in the last one century. However, growth in population has been more rapid from the 1970s onwards exceeding the growth rates at the district level. The growth rate has touched the sky height of about 45% in the 1990s and thus is far above the national, state, and district average. The colonial town of Darjeeling was designed for a mere population of 10,000. So the population spurt has made the town more prone to the environmental problems in recent decades as the region is geologically relatively new with hosts of environmental problems and hence unstable in nature.^[1] Environmental degradation has adversely affected Darjeeling's appeal for tourists. The town as a district head quarter acts as the center of all types of economic activity, which attracts the rural folks of the district to migrate to the town for better opportunity. Besides, the pleasant climate of the town compels the people from the surrounding states to migrate and settle permanently in the region.

The major religion is Hinduism, followed by Buddhism. Christians and Muslims form the minority.^[3] The majority of the populace are ethnic Nepali, having migrated to Darjeeling in search of jobs while it was under British rule. Indigenous ethnic groups include the Lepchas, Bhutias, Sherpas, Rais, Yamloos, Damais, Kamais, Newars and the Limbus. The other non-native communities are the Bengalis, Marwaris, Anglo-Indian, Chinese, Biharis and Tibetans who escaped to the area after fleeing the Communist Chinese invasion of Tibet. Languages spoken in Darjeeling include Gorkhali (Nepali), which is the predominant language; others are Hindi, English and Bengali.