According to the 2011 census Ariyalur district has a population of 752,481, roughly equal to the nation of Guyana or the U.S. state of Alaska. This gives it a ranking of 491st in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 387 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,000/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 8.19%.As of 2011 it is the third least populous district of Tamil Nadu (out of 32), after Perambalur and Nilgiris.