Cities in Gujarat (2026): Population, Capital and Major Urban Centres

Gujarat is a western Indian state that was formed on 1 May 1960 after being separated from the former Bombay State. It is located along India’s western coast and has the longest coastline in the country, about 1,600 kilometres.

Gujarat is one of India’s most economically developed and urbanised states. Known for its strong industrial base, port connectivity, and thriving business ecosystem, the state has experienced rapid urban growth over the past two decades. In this article, learn about cities in Gujarat, the population of Gujarat, the capital of Gujarat, and the number of districts and urban centres in the state.

Gujarat at a Glance (2026)

Before exploring Gujarat’s city list, it is useful to understand the state’s overall demographic and administrative profile.

Indicator	Data
Gujarat’s Capital Name	Gandhinagar
Estimated Population	About 7.15 crore (2022–23 projections)
Population Share in India	Around 5.2 percent
Number of Districts	34 districts
Official Language	Gujarati
Major Economic Sectors	Manufacturing, petrochemicals, textiles, ports, and agriculture

Gujarat’s capital, Gandhinagar, named after Mahatma Gandhi, is located about 30 kilometres from Ahmedabad, the state’s largest city and commercial centre.

Gandhinagar is widely regarded as one of India’s best planned cities. It features organised sectors, green spaces, and important government institutions that manage the administration of the state.

Population of Gujarat

Estimated Population: ~72.37 million (based on recent projections referencing updates from the 2011 Census).

Key Demographic Data (2011 Census and projections):

• Hindu Population: Approximately 88.57%
• Muslim Population: Approximately 9.67%
• Major Urban Areas: Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot

Religion and Culture:
Gujarat has a predominantly Hindu population (around 88%), with strong cultural and linguistic roots centred around the Gujarati language.

Note: The Census of India 2021 was delayed, and the latest official nationwide demographic data is still being processed as of 2026

According to the Gujarat Socio-Economic Review 2025–26, the state’s total population is projected to reach around 7.48 crore by 2027. Out of this, approximately 3.79 crore people are expected to live in urban areas, while 3.69 crore will reside in rural areas, increasing the urban share to about 50.69 percent.

The Sex Ratio at Birth in Gujarat is around 955 female births per 1000 male births, which is higher than the national average, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).

How Many Districts in Gujarat?

As of 2026, Gujarat has 34 districts. Over the years, the state government has created additional districts to improve governance and administrative efficiency.

What are the 33 district names of Gujarat?

The 33 districts are Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Aravalli, Banaskantha, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Botad, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Dang, Devbhumi Dwarka, Gandhinagar, Gir Somnath, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kheda, Kutch, Mahisagar, Mehsana, Morbi, Narmada, Navsari, Panchmahal, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, Surat, Surendranagar, Tapi, Vadodara, and Valsad.

Some of the major districts include:

• Ahmedabad
• Surat
• Vadodara
• Rajkot
• Bhavnagar
• Kutch
• Jamnagar
• Gandhinagar
• Junagadh

Each district includes multiple towns and municipalities that together form the network of Gujarat cities.

How Many Cities in Gujarat?

Gujarat has 31 cities with a population over 100,000. The state is divided into 34 districts and 252 talukas, covering numerous towns and urban centres. 

Gujarat’s City List

Gujarat has numerous urban centres, including large metropolitan cities and mid-sized municipalities. 

Below is a list of major cities in Gujarat.

Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Anand, Bharuch, Mehsana, Morbi, Navsari, Vapi, Porbandar, Surendranagar, Palanpur, Godhra, Dahod, Bhuj.

These cities serve as major administrative, industrial, and commercial centres across the state.

Top 10 Cities in Gujarat by Population

Based on recent population estimates and urban agglomeration projections, the following are the most populated cities in Gujarat.

Rank	City	Estimated Population	Key Importance
1	Ahmedabad	~8.5 million	Largest city and major commercial hub
2	Surat	~8.3 million	Diamond and textile industry centre
3	Vadodara	~2.3 million	Industrial and cultural centre
4	Rajkot	~2.0 million	Engineering and manufacturing hub
5	Bhavnagar	~0.7 million	Major port and trading city
6	Jamnagar	~0.7 million	Oil refinery and industrial hub
7	Junagadh	~0.4 million	Tourism and the historical centre
8	Gandhinagar	~0.4 million	Capital city of Gujarat
9	Gandhidham	~0.3 million	An industrial city in the Kutch district
10	Anand	~0.3 million	Known as the Milk Capital of India

Ahmedabad and Surat are the two most populous cities in Gujarat, and both rank among the largest urban centres in India due to strong industrial growth and economic development.

Top 10 Largest Cities in Gujarat by Area

Rank	City	District	Area (sq km)
1	Ahmedabad	Ahmedabad	530.00
2	Surat	Surat	461.60
3	Gandhinagar	Gandhinagar	326.00
4	Vadodara	Vadodara	220.33
5	Rajkot	Rajkot	170.00
6	Junagadh	Junagadh	160.00
7	Jamnagar	Jamnagar	125.67
8	Bhavnagar	Bhavnagar	108.27
9	Nadiad	Kheda	78.55
10	Gondal	Rajkot	74.48

Top Cities in Gujarat

Although Gujarat has many urban centres, several cities stand out because of their economic strength and infrastructure.

Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is the largest city in Gujarat and a major industrial and commercial hub. The city is known for textiles, pharmaceuticals, and educational institutions.

Surat

Surat is internationally recognised for its diamond cutting and textile industries and is among the fastest-growing cities in India.

Vadodara

Vadodara is an important cultural and industrial centre with a strong manufacturing base and prominent educational institutions.

Rajkot

Rajkot is a major engineering and manufacturing hub in the Saurashtra region and plays a key role in regional trade.

Gandhinagar

As the capital city, Gandhinagar houses important government offices and administrative institutions.

Urban Growth in Gujarat

Urbanisation in Gujarat has accelerated due to strong economic and industrial development.

Key factors contributing to this growth include:

• Expansion of industrial corridors
• Port-based trade along the Arabian Sea
• Growth of manufacturing industries
• Infrastructure development and smart city initiatives
• Increasing employment opportunities in urban areas

Cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot continue to attract businesses, investors, and workers from across India.

Also check – the top 10 richest cities in India!

Conclusion

Gujarat has a well-developed network of cities that contribute significantly to India’s economy. With 34 districts and more than 170 urban centres, the state has one of the most dynamic urban systems in the country.

As the state continues to expand economically, its cities are expected to play an even greater role in shaping India’s urban and economic landscape.

Disclaimer– The rankings and figures in this article have been compiled from multiple verified reports, credible news sources, and public financial data available as of 2026.

All values are approximate and may vary with newer updates, revisions, or changes in official records.

Gujarat City List 2026 – FAQs

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/