The initial phase of the 2027 census in Indore district has revealed a substantial increase in structural housing stock over the past 15 years, alongside a marked rise in population. According to data compiled during the comprehensive house-listing phase, the total number of structures in the district rose from 6.49 lakh in 2011 to more than 12.70 lakh, reflecting a net increase of 6.20 lakh units. The gross population of the district was estimated to have risen from over 32 lakh in 2011 to an estimated 44 lakh.
Key Findings from the First Phase
According to Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) Additional Commissioner NN Pandey, the first phase of the census has been completed, revealing a considerable rise in residential structures and population. “The census will be completed after the second phase starting in February next year,” he told TOI, adding that population numbers in the first phase have been estimated.
The expansion has been most pronounced within IMC limits, where the total number of houses more than doubled from 3.98 lakh to 8.39 lakh over the 15-year period, resulting in an annual urban construction rate of over 29,000 houses. This urban real estate growth was partially accelerated in 2014 when 29 villages were formally incorporated into municipal boundaries, shifting their structural data from rural to urban tallies.
Rural Sector Growth
The rural sector also experienced a 71 percent growth in housing, with units rising from 2.50 lakh to 4.30 lakh in the same period. Out of the 12.70 lakh total structures surveyed across the district, 9.17 lakh are categorized as residential properties. This includes 8.84 lakh fully residential units and over 33,000 mixed-use structures where commercial activities run alongside domestic setups.
Residential Landscape Breakdown
Municipal Limits: Out of 8.39 lakh structures, 6.13 lakh are residential, housing approximately 6.32 lakh families, with an estimated urban population of 28.52 lakh.
Rural Limits: Out of 4.30 lakh structures, 3.04 lakh are residential, accommodating 3.11 lakh families, with an estimated population of 15.72 lakh.
District Growth Metrics
- Total Housing Units: 2011: 6.49 Lakh; Present: 12.70 Lakh; Net Change: +6.20 Lakh
- Municipal Households: 2011: 3.98 Lakh; Present: 8.39 Lakh; Net Change: +4.41 Lakh
- Rural Households: 2011: 2.50 Lakh; Present: 4.30 Lakh; Net Change: +1.80 Lakh
The house-listing operations have been completed, with enumerators deployed to survey the remaining locked properties. The head-count phase of the census is scheduled to launch in February next year to finalize the specific demographic metrics of the district.
