Demography of Tirap district includes a huge density of population. This district is one of the smallest districts of the state of Arunachal Pradesh as far as its area is concerned. However, it is the most thickly populated (density of 42 persons per sq. km). Moreover, Khonsa that is the district headquarters is also the most heavily populated administrative unit. Major portion of the people residing in the district are the indigenous tribal groups which constitute more than 70 per cent of the total population of Tirap district. The major tribes inhabiting in the district are the Nocte tribe, Wancho tribe and the Tutsa tribes. Among the tribal groups, Noctes form near about 45 per cent, Tutsas about 5 per cent and Wanchos almost 50 per cent of the total tribal population of the Tirap district.

Further, the demography of Tirap district also suggests that each of these three tribes inhabits a separate geographical area and has its own social norms, traditions, customs, beliefs and practices. They have rich native cultures and live in social accord with each other. All these tribes are martial Naga tribe who at one time vigorously engaged in head-hunting. However, the practice is now extinct. Most of the people of this district live in the villages and the life-style of the people is entirely community based. The main occupation of the people of Tirap district is agriculture and farming. Although agriculture is the main occupation of the villagers, it is of a survival nature only. Some people earn their livelihood through other activities such as government employment, government contract works, trade in local products and agricultural labour, contract works in forest products, etc. Here, people generally practice shifting type of agriculture or jhoom cultivation though slowly people have started adopting terrace farming too.

Chieftainship is an important feature of the tribal communities of Tirap district. Both Nocte tribe and the Wancho tribe have chiefs in their villages. There exist the major chiefs above the village chiefs who receive honours from the subsidiary villages within the district. However, with the introduction of Panchayati Raj system, the role of the head has changed to a great extent but still they still enjoy a place of pride and a very high status in their community. Each and every village has a well-organized council for the proper administration of law and order. Each tribal group has its own usual laws and most of the divergence decision is done through village councils.