According to the 2011 Census of India, the Pala municipality had a population of 22,640 (current estimates place the larger urban agglomeration much higher). The town boasts an exceptional literacy rate of over 98%, significantly higher than the national average and on par with the highest regions in Kerala.
Demographically, Pala is historically and predominantly a Christian town, with the Syro-Malabar Catholic community forming the majority. There are also substantial Hindu and Muslim populations, contributing to a peaceful, pluralistic society.
In recent years, Pala has experienced a demographic shift common to central Kerala: a rapidly aging local population, as a large percentage of the educated youth migrate to Western countries (such as the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US) or the Middle East for higher education and employment in sectors like nursing, engineering, and IT.