A total of 2,740,000 people live in the diocesan territory with the tribal Khond community forming the main ethnic group.
Four main languages -- Telugu, Marathi, Urdu, and Hindi, as well as several tribal dialects, are spoken.
The diocese of Adilabad was erected on July 23, 1999, when Pope John Paul II split the diocese of Chanda, which spread over the areas in the two provincial states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The territory in Andhra Pradesh was awarded to the new diocese. Its 16,210 square kilometers cover the civil district of Adilabad in the northernmost part of the state.
Four political parties dominate the local political structure: the Indian National Congress, Telugu Desam Party, Telangana Rashtra Samithi, and Bharatiya Janata Party. The influence of armed Maoist rebels called Naxalites on the district is strong.
A road network connects most of the villages, and a railway route passes through the district.
Annual per capita income is Rs 18,581 ($405) as of June 2006. Cement, coal, cotton, timber, paper, and porcelain pipes are the major industries. The main agricultural crops are: rice, millet, lentils, onion, and wheat.
Telecommunications services in the diocesan territory are sufficient. Cell phone signals are widely available in the district even in the remotest villages. There is one radio broadcasting station in Adilabad.
The literacy rate in the diocesan territory is 54.4 percent.
The people of Adilabad love to display their cultural talents in public. Tribal dances are also popular. The district is also known for handicrafts, including wooden toys.