As of 2001 India census, Ahmedabad had a population of 3,515,361. This figure was limited to the municipal region. The total population of the Ahmedabad Urban Agglomeration (which includes the region governed by AUDA) came to 5.3 million, and is estimated to grow to 6.0 million by 2009. There are 886 females to every 1000 males. Ahmedabad has a literacy rate of 79.89%, which is the highest in Gujarat (87.81% males and 71.12% females are literate). According to the census for the Ninth Plan, there are 30,737 rural families living in Ahmedabad.

Of those, 5.41% (1663 families) live below the poverty line. Approximately 440,000 people live in slums in the city. Ahmedabad is home to a large population of Vanias (i.e., traders), belonging to the Vaishnava sect of Hinduism and the sects of Jainism. Most of the residents of Ahmedabad are native Gujaratis and speak Gujarati, of which the Kathiawar dialect is predominant [citation needed]. Hindi and English are commonly spoken, especially in commerce, education, politics and government.

Ever since its foundation, the city has attracted migrant workers from other areas of Gujarat including Kutch and Saurashtra and from the neighbouring states of Rajasthan and Maharashtra as well as the Pakistani province of Sindh. There is a sizeable population of Punjabis, Marathis, Tamils, Sindhis, Malayalis and Marwaris, who bring their native language and culture to the city. The military base near the city, and government institutions such as ONGC, bring an influx of people from across India. Ahmedabad enjoys great religious diversity. According to the 2001 census, 84.62% of the people in Ahmedabad are Hindu, 2.92% Jain, 11.4% Muslim and 0.72% Christian.

The community of Muslims is culturally significant in Ahmedabad and dates back to the times of the sultanate. Most Muslims live in the old town, especially Bhadra. The city is home to a major population of Parsis and a community of 300 Bene Israel Jews living in Ahmedabad.