# List of cities in Odisha by population

This is a list of cities by population, as listed in the 2011 Census of India in the Indian state of Odisha:
| State rank | Country rank | Name | District | Type* | Population 2011 | Male | Female | Literacy rate |
| 01 | 58 | Bhubaneswar | Khordha district | Municipal Corporation | 881,988 | 468,302 | 413,686 | 93.00 |
| 02 | 73 | Cuttack | Cuttack district | Municipal Corporation | 658,986 | 331,246 | 327,740 | 91.03 |
| 03 | 81 | Rourkela | Sundargarh district | Municipal Corporation | 552,970 | 291,027 | 261,943 | 92.01 |
| 04 | 127 | Berhampur | Ganjam district | Municipal Corporation | 355,823 | 185,584 | 170,239 | 90.04 |
| 05 | 135 | Sambalpur | Sambalpur district | Municipal Corporation | 335,761 | 172,806 | 162955 | 85.69 |
| 06 | 228 | Puri | Puri district | Municipality | 201,026 | 104,267 | 96,759 | 89.38 |
| 07 | 407 | Balasore | Balasore district | Municipality | 144,373 | 73,721 | 70,652 | 86.58 |
| 08 | 446 | Baripada | Mayurbhanj district | Municipality | 116,874 | 60,535 | 56,339 | 88.02 |
| 09 | 456 | Bhadrak | Bhadrak district | Municipality | 107,463 | 55,090 | 52,373 | 81.21 |
| Population, City= 1Lakh+ population, Town= 20 Thousand+ Population |||||||||

## Population Statistics

| State Rank | National Rank | City | District | Administrative Status | Population (2011) | Male | Female | Literacy Rate (%) | Notable For |
| 1 | 58 | Bhubaneswar | Khordha | Municipal Corporation | 881,988 | 468,302 | 413,686 | 93.00 | State Capital, Temple City |
| 2 | 73 | Cuttack | Cuttack | Municipal Corporation | 658,986 | 331,246 | 327,740 | 91.03 | Silver Filigree Work, Barabati Fort |
| 3 | 81 | Rourkela | Sundargarh | Municipal Corporation | 552,970 | 291,027 | 261,943 | 92.01 | Steel City, Industrial Hub |
| 4 | 127 | Berhampur | Ganjam | Municipal Corporation | 355,823 | 185,584 | 170,239 | 90.04 | Silk City, Educational Hub |
| 5 | 135 | Sambalpur | Sambalpur | Municipal Corporation | 335,761 | 172,806 | 162,955 | 85.69 | Hirakud Dam, Sambalpuri Textiles |
| 6 | 228 | Puri | Puri | Municipality | 201,026 | 104,267 | 96,759 | 89.38 | Jagannath Temple, Beach Town |
| 7 | 407 | Balasore | Balasore | Municipality | 144,373 | 73,721 | 70,652 | 86.58 | Chandipur Beach, Defense Hub |
| 8 | 446 | Baripada | Mayurbhanj | Municipality | 116,874 | 60,535 | 56,339 | 88.02 | Cultural Center, Simlipal National Park |
| 9 | 456 | Bhadrak | Bhadrak | Municipality | 107,463 | 55,090 | 52,373 | 81.21 | Religious Heritage, Agriculture |
| Notes: City = Population over 100,000; Town = Population over 20,000 Source: Census of India, 2011 ||||||||||

## Cultural Significance

Odisha's cities each offer unique cultural and historical significance to the state's rich heritage:
* Bhubaneswar is known as the "Temple City of India" with over 600 temples, including the magnificent Lingaraj Temple and Mukteshwar Temple, showcasing the exemplary Kalinga architectural style dating back to the 7th-13th centuries CE.
* Cuttack, the former capital, is famous for its silver filigree work called "Tarakasi," a delicate metalwork tradition practiced since the 18th century. The city's Barabati Fort and Durga Puja celebrations reflect its historical and cultural prominence.
* Puri hosts the famous annual Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival) of Lord Jagannath, one of India's most significant religious events dating back over 5,000 years, drawing millions of devotees from around the world.
* Baripada, often called the "Cultural Capital and heart of North Odisha," in Mayurbhanja district. Baripada is notable for its unique cultural and ecological significance: home to the UNESCO-recognized Chhau Dance and its dedicated school, it also hosts the distinctive Baripada Rath Yatra, where women exclusively pull Lord Subhadra's chariot. Its royal heritage is reflected in its palaces, and it serves as the gateway to Simlipal National Park, a vital tiger reserve and UNESCO biosphere.