According to the 2011 census, Uttarakhand has a population of 10,116,752. Hindus form the majority of the population in the state with 85% practicing Hinduism. In addition, 10.5% of the population practices Islam, 2.5% practices Sikhism and 0.5% practices Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and other religions.

The native people of Uttarakhand are generally called either Kumaoni or Garhwali depending on their place of origin in either the Garhwal or Kumaon region. Another well known category in the state is Gujjar. In addition, the state has the highest percentage of Brahmins - approximately 20% of the population - in the country.

The urban population of the state converses mostly in Hindi. Kumaoni and Garhwali dialects are spoken in Kumaon and Garhwal region respectively. Jaunsari and Bhotiya dialects are also spoken by tribal communities in the West and North respectively. Sanskrit also has official status in the state.