According to the 2011 India census, Chinnalapatti had a population of 26,285. Males constitute 50% of the population and females compose the other 50%. Chinnalapatti has an average literacy rate of 87.06%. This is higher than the state average of 80.09%; with male literacy of 93.12% and female literacy of 81.23%. 8.51% of the population is under 6. The town's economy is based on textiles and agriculture. Agriculture dominates North Chinnalapatti. Chinnalapatti Town Panchayat hosts over 6,981 houses to which it supplies basic amenities including water and sewage. It is authorized to build roads within Town Panchayat limits and impose taxes.
Governance
Chinnalapatti city is divided into 18 wards, for which elections are held every 5 years.
Economy
Chinnalapatti's economy mainly depends on the handloom weaving industry and is known for it. Weaving has been a way of life in Chinalapatti for centuries. Workers produce cotton saris with Zari borders, which are accepted for daily wear. The Sungudisaree industry includes looming, weaving, dyeing and printing units. The Sungudi industry provides a livelihood for more than 10,000 workers. Textile export and import is an important complementary business. Sungudi sarees from Chinnalapatti are exported to Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and South Africa. The town is active in areas such as wet grinder assembly, wire chair production, Alimarh production and dyeing.
Sarees
Silk sarees and Sungudi sarees are made in the traditional way. Since saris are less common in many places, Chinnalapatti weavers expanded to make increasingly popular sungudichudithars.
Culture
Most of people in Chinnalapatti are conservative Hindus and practice traditional festivals. Notable festivals include kalla Alagar,North street muthalamman, Bheedhi Devru Mokku and Sri Ramalinga Sowdeeswari Amman Festival. They also celebrate Kamayasamy, the festival for “Cupid - the god of love” annually, a tradition held for the past 140 years. It runs for twelve days ending on a full moon.
Transport
Chinnalapatti is on National Highway 7 which connects Madurai with Dindigul. It has a bus facility with buses operated by Government and private sectors. Mofussil buses operate along NH-7. Ambaturai is the nearest railway station. Passenger and some express trains stop there. Madurai Airport is the nearest airport. Some Omni by Lakshmi Narayan transport and V.D.M Omni buses fly nightly to Chennai.
In Devangar hr sec school at chinnalapatti Mr.A.Rajasekar the physical education teacher and the N.C.C.Officer had been working from 1966 to 1997.He was a very significant person both as a teacher and a social worker.He set a noble examble for the students of the school and also for the youth of the town. His hard work, disciplined approach towards the students and the care he had given to them were undoubtedly, a main reason for the school getting a good name in Dindigul District.He was like a friend to his students.they learned to become a self-disciplined persons.They were able to acquire good habits and helping tendency in his care.They could develop into a responsible and respectabale citizens. He had been very strict to the students who misbehaved.But was kind enough to help them to correct themselves. He took efforts to do basic facilities,in and around chinnalapatti.He influenced the students to work for the poor and needy and also initiate adult education.With the help of the N.C.C.team he helped in laying roads and the plantation.Even to-day we can see the trees grown around the town,those planted by him. He helped,many poor and the tribal students to get educated through contributing a portion of his salary for that purpose. His perseverance in training the students in games and sports,resulted in getting many state and national awards for the school.There are students trained by him, now working as P.E.T s.. His voice controlled the whole school.He looked majestic in his NCC uniform.The people in those days called him fondly as ‘’Thangapathakkkam Sivaji””the famous character of the film “Thangapathakkam” in which the legendry actor shivaji ganesan did the role. He was convinced of the importance of both sports and education.He was honoured by the people of chinnalapatti and others. In 1983 he was awarded the Best N.CC. OFFICER OF INDIA by the then prime minister Mrs.Indra Gandhi.This great occasion brought glory to not only the school,but also to the town. The Alumni of the school are placed in and out of India,in respectable jobs,who are helped and guided by Mr.Rajasekar.I am one among them Even today.I follow his advice in helping the poor and the needy, to the best of my ability..
