Salem Population 2026
Salem has a population of 917,414, making it the #62 biggest city in 🇮🇳 India, located in Tamil Nadu. Roughly 0.1% of India's population lives here. It is about 14× smaller than Mumbai, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
917,414
Rank in India
#62
Coordinates
11.65°N, 78.16°E
~283 m elevation · Asia/Kolkata
Distance to capital (New Delhi)
1,889 km
1,173 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Tamil Nadu
| City | Population | Rank in India |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 4,681,087 | #6 |
| Coimbatore | 2,136,916 | #14 |
| Kallakurichi | 1,682,687 | #22 |
| Madurai | 1,465,625 | #25 |
| Tirunelveli | 1,435,844 | #26 |
| Tiruchirappalli | 1,022,518 | #54 |
| Tiruppur | 963,173 | #58 |
| Erode | 521,891 | #96 |
Cities near Salem
- Idangansālai33,245 people · ~18 km away
- Rasipuram50,244 people · ~22 km away
- Idappadi54,823 people · ~35 km away
- Mettur56,743 people · ~41 km away
- Pallippatti26,492 people · ~42 km away
- Tiruchengode95,335 people · ~42 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Salem?
Salem has a population of 917,414 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #62 biggest city in India.
What region is Salem in?
Salem is located in Tamil Nadu, India.
Is Salem the capital of India?
No, the capital of India is New Delhi, about 1,889 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.