Chennai is one of the most populous cities in India. As of recent estimates, the city proper has a population of approximately 8.6 million, while the broader Chennai Metropolitan Area is home to over 11.5 million residents. The population density is exceptionally high, particularly in older, central neighborhoods.
The ethnic and linguistic composition is overwhelmingly Tamil, with Tamil being the primary language spoken. However, due to its status as a cosmopolitan economic hub, Chennai hosts substantial communities of Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Urdu speakers, along with growing expatriate communities from East Asia (particularly Japan and South Korea) tied to the auto sector.
Hinduism is the majority religion, followed by significant populations of Muslims and Christians, and smaller communities of Jains and Sikhs. Chennai boasts a high literacy rate of over 90%, significantly higher than the national average, reflecting the region's strong emphasis on education and professional development.