According to the 2011 Census of India, the population of Imphal city proper was 268,243, while the urban agglomeration had a population of 418,739. The population has continued to grow steadily due to rural-to-urban migration and its status as the state's economic hub.
The demographic landscape is predominantly made up of the Meitei people, who are native to the Manipur valley. There are also significant populations of tribal communities (Nagas and Kukis), as well as smaller communities of Pangals (Manipuri Muslims) and migrants from other parts of India. Hinduism and Sanamahism (the indigenous Meitei religion) are the most widely practiced faiths, followed by Christianity and Islam. Manipuri (Meiteilon) is the primary language spoken, functioning as the lingua franca for the region, while English is widely used in education and administration.
