Zhenjiang has a population of 2.67 million, among which 1.131 million are urban residents. Important Zhenjiang people who were born, grew up or lived in the city could be classified into two categories: those that are historically famous and those well-known in contemporary history including statesmen, scientists, educators, painters, poets, generals, calligraphers, etc.

Zhenjiang is the birthplace of two emperors and one king in Chinese history, including the founder and emperor of the South Dynasty, Xu Daocheng (427– 482 A.D.), the founder of the Liang Dynasty, Xu Yan (464 – 549 A.D.), the King of Wu in the Three Kingdoms period (190-280 A.D.) and Sun Quan (182-252 A.D.). Famous poets from Tang and Song Dynasty such as Wang Changlin, Li Bai, Wang Anshi, Su Shi, Xin Qiji all composed their masterpieces related to Zhenjiang.

In contemporary history, Zhenjiang also cultivated many famous people, such as Pearl S. Buck (Nobel Prize-winning writer), historian Liu Yizheng, Yang Jichuan (the inventor of Watson Electric Fan), Financier Chen Guangfu, Bridge Expert Mao Yisheng and so on.