Demographics
As of 2011 census, Siliguri city had a population of 509,709 (compared to 472,374 in 2001) showing 8% growth in 2001-11 decade. Males constituted 51% and females 49% of the population. The overall sex ratio was 951 females per 1000 males compared to national average 940. Siliguri had an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 64.3% for entire population in 2011. Male literacy was 89% and female literacy was 82%. Population of children under six years of age was 48,250 (9.5% of the total population) and there were 928 girls per 1,000 boys in this age group compared to national average 918.
While Siliguri's population in 2011 was 509,709 in municipal corporation jurisdiction, it was 701,489 in Siliguri urban agglomerate.
Siliguri has a majority Bengali population. Other communities include Gorkhas, Marwaris and Biharis. Most of the languages spoken in Siliguri are Hindi, Bengali, Nepali(Gorkhali), English, Assamese, Marwari, Bihari, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Gujarati and Tibeten languages.
Siliguri has seen waves of massive immigration over the years, most prominent being the migrants from the erstwhile East Bengal during the Partition of India, Nepal and Bihar. In addition, people from Jharkhand and other parts of India have also come to the city in search of livelihood.. In recent times, due to the economic boom in the city, a lot of the hill population (Gorkhas) from neighboring towns of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik and Kalimpong have started migrating to Siliguri in search of work and to enjoy city life
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