Dharmapuri District was bifurcated from the erstwhile Salem District and Dharmapuri District came into existence from 2nd October, 1965, consisting of Hosur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and Harur Taluks. Subsequently, Dharmapuri District was again bifurcated into two districts viz., Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri on 09-02-2004 due to administrative reasons, more number of villages and vast area.

LOCATION AND AREA

After the bifurcation of Krishnagiri District from Dharmapuri District, the present Dharmapuri District is located approximately between 11o 47” and 12o 33” of the North Latitude and between 77o 02” and 78o. 40’30” of east longtitude.

The total geographical area of the district is 4497 Sq.kms.

BOUNDARIES

The present Dharmapuri District is surrounded by Thiruvanamalai ,Villupuram Districts in the East, Karnataka State in the West, Krishnagiri District in the North and Salem District in the South.

CLIMATE

The climate conditions of the district is hot and dry in summer i.e., from March to May and in winter, it is very cold and misty i.e., from November to February.

RAINFALL

The Normal Rainfall of the District is 902.1 mm. During the year 2016-17 the Actual Rainfall of the District is 622.41 mm.

SOIL

Different types of the soils such as black or mixed loams, red ferruginous and gravel are found in the district. The black or red loam is very fertile due to its moisture absorbing character. Red and sandy clay loam soils are seen in Vannampatti area. Block Clay loam soils are seen in Dharmapuri Taluk and Jayapuram. Sandy and Slity clay loam soils are seen in Harur, Nattam and Mariyampatti Area. Red and Sandy Clay loam soils are seen in Thoppur and Salem. Considerable stretches of good loam and black soil are found in Dharmapuri district.In general, the soil in the district is quite loose and fresh with its color varying from red to dark brown. The soil has low nitrogen and phosphate content with marked variations between different Taluks.

POPULATION IN 2011

In 2011, Dharmapuri had population of 1506843 of which male and female were 774303 and 732540 respectively. In 2001 census, Dharmapuri had a population of 1242615 of which male were 641541and remaining 513774 were females. The initial provisional data released by census India 2011, shows that density of Dharmapuri district for 2011 is 335 people per sq.km. In 2001, Dharmapuri district density was at 286 people per sq. km.

Average literacy of Dharmapuri in 2011 was 68.5 compared to 60.31 of 2001. If things are look out at gender wise, male and female literacy were 76.9 and 59.80 respectively. For 2001 census, same figures stood at 70.52 and 49.47 in Dharmapuri District. Total literate in Dharmapuri District were 917709 of which male and female were 527599 and 390110 respectively. In 2001, Dhamapuri District had 677674 in its district.

With regard to Sex Ratio in Dharmapuri, it stood at 946 per 1000 male compared to 2001 census figure of 932. The average national sex ratio in India is 940 as per latest reports of Census 2011 Directorate.In 2011 census, child sex ratio is 911 girls per 1000 boys compared to figure of 869 girls per 1000 boys of 2001 census data.

RIVERS AND IRRIGATION

The Chief Rivers that flow through the District are Cauvery, Chinnar and Vaniyar. Though River Cauvery flows the border of the State, as well as the District, due to topographical condition possibility of construction of Dam is far away in the planning of the state.

RAIL

The Salem and Bangalore broad gauge Railway line and Chennai-Coimbatore broad gauge line are passing through the District for about 126.0 kms.

ROADS

The district is having a total network about 5748 kms. of surfaced and un-surfaced roads. National Highways (NH-7) connecting Kanniayakumari to Kashmir, (NH-46) Chennai to Bangalore and (NH-66) Pondichery to Bangalore passes through the District.

TOURIST PLACES

Hogenakkal and Theerthamalai are two important tourist places of Dharmapuri District.