As of 2001 India census,[3] Peerkankaranai had a population of 17,521. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Peerkankaranai has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 79%. In Peerkankaranai, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.