The 5 Most Populated Cities Of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is a north Indian state with a population of 199,812,341. It is the most populated state in the country. The capital city of UP is Lucknow. Here is a list of the 5 most populous cities of Uttar Pradesh. Also, find below the table of the cities of this state ordered by decreasing population size.

Population density in UP

The 5 Most Populated Cities Of Uttar Pradesh

1. Kanpur

Kanpur is the most populated city in Uttar Pradesh. Kanpur recorded a population of 4,542,184 in 2011. It is the state’s second-largest city by size. The area of the metropolis is 403.70 square km. The city serves as the administrative headquarters of the Kanpur Nagar district. The literacy rate of the population here is 70.76%. Hinduism is the religion of the majority with 78.03% followers.

2. Lucknow

The capital city of Uttar Pradesh is the second most populous city in the state and the largest by area. Lucknow had a population of 3,201,474 in 2011. The city is also the administrative center of the District and Division of the same name. The city is has a rich history and distinct culture. It is noted as the city of the Nawabs, the Muslim rulers who ruled the region in the 18th and the 19th centuries. Lucknow is a multicultural city. The literacy level here is 84.72% of the population. Lucknow’s economy was formerly mainly dependent on the tertiary sector with government jobs playing an important role in employment generation. Currently, the economy of the city is diversifying with IT, biotechnology, manufacturing, and other industries growing in the city.

3. Ghaziabad

With a population of 2,458,525 in 2011, Ghaziabad is ranked as the third most populated city in Uttar Pradesh. Since the city is located close to New Delhi, the national capital of India, it is often regarded as the "Gateway of UP” as most tourists enter the state via this city. Ghaziabad is a well-planned industrial city with a well-developed transport infrastructure. The city has a high literacy rate of 93.81%. The city has also developed as an educational hub in recent years with many reputed schools and other educational institutes opening here. 

4. Agra

The fourth most populated city in Uttar Pradesh, Agra has a population of 2,146,467. Famous as the city of the Taj Mahal and numerous other historical attractions, Agra is based on the banks of the Yamuna river. The population here has a literacy rate of 75.11%. The city has a booming tourist industry as well as a thriving industry of royal crafts like carpets, marble inlay work, zardozi work, etc. Agra has India’s second largest self-employed population after Varanasi. Besides tourism, agriculture, leather, footwear, and iron foundries are also major industries here.

5. Varanasi

Regarded as one of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi, India’s holiest city, is located on the banks of the Ganges river in Uttar Pradesh. It is the fifth most populous city in the state. It contains several sacred and religious sites of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is also visited by tourists from across the world who tour the city to learn about Indian culture and religion. The population here has a literacy rate of 77%.