Chittoor town is a Selection Grade Municipality and is the headquarters of Chittoor district. The area of the town is 33.57 Sq.Kms and the population as per 2001 census is 1,52,654. The town is located on Renigunta – Katpadi metre gauge railway line, and two National Highways, the Chennai – Bangalore road (NH 4) and the Kurnool – Chittoor Road (NH 18), pass through this town. It is the gateway town for Karnataka pilgrims visiting Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara. It is gaining in pilgrimage importance through the Lord Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple at Kanipakam located 12 Kms away from the Chittoor town.
The town is located about 15 Kms from Tamil Nadu, 70 Kms. from Tirupati - the fast growing town due to its piligrimage importance and 35 Kms. from Vellore - a major business town with famous health institution, C.M.C. Hospital. Chittoor to some extent is overshadowed by the proximity and importance of Tirupati and Vellore.
The town is situated in the midst of many isolated hills and masses of rocks. The Neeva River flows along the western part from South-West to North-East. Many small tanks are located in-and-around the town. Poor settlements were mostly developed on the hill areas, the banks of feeder channels, tank beds and porambokes.
Chittoor town has moderate and healthy climate because it is dry and never unbearably hot. The town receives scanty rainfall both from South- west and North - East Monsoon
| 1917 | Constitution of Municipality |
| 1917 | Elections to the first Municipal council |
| 1986 | Upgraded into Special grade Municipality |
| 2000 | Upgraded into Selection grade Municipality |
| 2000 | Elections held to present 15th Municipal Council |
| 2001 | Basic MAPP approved (APUSP) |
| 2003 | CMAPP preparation |
The population of the town is 1,52,654 in 2001 census, showing decadal growth rate of 7.67% from a population of 1,33,462 as per the 1991 census. Out of total population, SCs constitute 21679 while the STs constitute 1174. The sex ratio in the town is 1000: 985. The literacy rate of the town is 84.60%.
The economy is basically agro-based, being marketing centre for Sugarcane, Jaggery, Mango produced in abundance. The majority of the population of the town is basically dependent on agriculture or agro-related activities.
The town is situated in the midst of many isolated hills and masses of rocks. The Neeva River flows along the western part from South-West to North-East. Many small tanks are located in-and-around the town. Poor settlements were mostly developed on the hill areas, the banks of feeder channels, tank beds and porambokes. There is water scarcity due to failure of monsoons every year and the people are very much suffered to drinking water. Most of the water is drawn from energized bore wells.
About 33,483 are below poverty line out of a population of 1,52,654. Majority of them are leading their life as daily wage labour, agricultural labour, seasonal labour etc. At present, there are 78 poor settlements in the town, out of which 60 are notified and 18 are non-notified.
APUSP project was initiated with the inauguration of introductory and Basic MAPP in the month of October 2000. The Basic MAPP was approved on 19-1-2001, with an estimated cost of Rs.420.21 lakhs. It included 12 reform proposals at an estimated cost of Rs.47.10 lakhs, under CI proposals. Under C2 (infrastructure works) component, 42 works were proposed for both on-site and off-site works, at a cost of Rs. 373.11 lakhs.
The Municipality having satisfied the MPC, initiated the process for preparation of CMAPP.