As of the 2011 Census of India, the town of Kargil had a population of 16,338, though the broader Kargil district is home to over 140,000 people. The town's population surges in the summer months due to the influx of traders, seasonal workers, tourists, and a heavy military presence.
The ethnic composition is uniquely diverse, consisting primarily of people of Dardic and Tibetan descent, known locally as Purigpas and Baltis. The overwhelming majority (about 90%) of the population in Kargil practices Shia Islam, giving the town a distinct cultural and architectural feel compared to Buddhist-majority Leh.
Linguistically, the primary spoken languages are Purghi, Balti, and Shina. Urdu and English are widely used for official administration, education, and commerce, while Hindi is commonly understood and spoken, especially among those interacting with the armed forces and tourists.
