As of the 2011 Census of India, the city proper of Dehradun had a population of 578,420, with the urban agglomeration reaching over 714,000. Due to its status as a state capital and rapid urbanization, the current population is estimated to be significantly higher.
The city is a melting pot of cultures, primarily driven by migration from the mountainous districts of Garhwal and Kumaon, as well as a sizable population of Punjabis, Tibetans, and Gorkhas. Hindi is the principal language, while Garhwali, Kumaoni, Punjabi, and English are widely spoken. Hinduism is the dominant religion, followed by Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Dehradun boasts a high literacy rate of over 89%, reflecting its standing as a national center for education.
