Anantapur, which is located in the western part of the Deccan Plateau has a total population of 261,004 and a literacy rate of 81 percent. Telugu is the most widely spoken language. According to the 2011 census, the total population of the Anantapur district is 4 million, the literacy rate is 63 percent and 50 percent of the population are part of the workforce. 63 percent of the workers are in the agriculture sector, 5 percent in the household industry and 32 percent are in industry and services. Agriculture and allied services are the biggest source of employment. Prominent crops cultivated include groundnut, custard apple, tamarind and the wild growing plant agave is used to manufacture fiber. Groundnut oil units, silk, dying units and beedi making provide employment in the district. Sights around town such as Dharmavaram, Gooty, Hemavathi, Penukonda, Aluru Kona are well visited.
