Nanganallur has a population of 86,230. The suburb has Hindus, Muslim and Christian population in various proportion and distributed in various regions. People from outside Tamil Nadu are also represented with a significant number. As a result of Chennai's booming IT business and setting up of IT parks in the suburbs, a lot of people have moved into suburbs like nanganallur. Nanganallur is also referred to as Chinna Kanchipuram or Little Kanchi due to the existence of numerous temples. Nanganallur was once a part of Adambakkam.
Towards the end of 2009, it was announced that the Chennai Corporation would be expanded to cover the surrounding 42 local bodies. This was confirmed by the new government in 2011. Nanganallur, has thus become a part of Chennai Corporation from September 2011.