Thiksey is a small rural community. According to the 2011 Census of India, the village had a population of approximately 2,237 residents, though this number fluctuates slightly with the seasonal influx of tourism workers and monks.
The population is predominantly ethnic Ladakhi, sharing deep cultural, linguistic, and genetic ties with Tibet. The overwhelming majority of the residents practice Tibetan Buddhism, which dictates the cultural rhythms, festivals, and social structure of the village. The local language is Ladakhi (Bhoti), though Hindi and English are widely understood and spoken, especially among the younger generation and those working in tourism. The community is tight-knit, with traditional cooperative systems still in place for farming and irrigation.