Initial trends from data collected through the on-going caste census have revealed that the population of people living in urban centres in the State could have increased by up to 12 per cent during the last four years (2011-2015). The number of households in urban areas increased more than 5.9 lakh between the 2011Census and 2015 caste census. Increased migration of families seeking jobs in urban areas is stated to be the major reason. The trend was revealed by enumerators of the caste census who counted the number of households in each block during the first two days. With this, the total number of households in the State increased from 1.31 crore in 2011 to 1.4 crore in 2015.
Except three districts — Bidar, Chamarajangar and Kalaburagi — all other districts registered a double-digit increase in number of families residing in urban areas.
Two coastal districts — Uudpi and Dakshina Kannada — recorded 101 and 54 per cent increase respectively in urbanisation compared to 2011Census, while Mysuru registered 33 per cent. As explained in previous surveys, the outskirts of Bengaluru city are recording a meteoric rise in population.
While Bengaluru Urban district recorded 10 per cent increase, Bengaluru Rural district witnessed 32 per cent rise, according to data provided by the Social Welfare Department. According to the 2011 Census, 38.57 per cent of the State’s population are living in urban areas.
The survey has also suggested only a 4 per cent increase in rural households and interestingly, districts such as Udupi (-7), Dakshina Kannada (-14) have registered negative growth. Only three districts recorded double-digit increase in number of households and they are Vijayapura and Chikkamagaluru (11 p.c. each), Kodagu (12 p.c.).
