According to the 2011 Census of India, the Karaikal district had a population of 227,589, while Karaikal city itself had an urban population of approximately 86,838. The region has experienced steady, moderate growth over the past few decades.
The population is predominantly Tamil-speaking. Hinduism is the majority religion, followed by significant communities of Muslims and Christians, reflecting the region's historic coastal trade networks and colonial history. A small, aging population still speaks French, a legacy of the colonial era. The literacy rate in Karaikal is notably high, standing at over 87%, which is above the national average. Employment is broadly distributed across agriculture, fishing, local commerce, port operations, and government services.