It had a population of 4,076 in 2011, which declined slightly to 3,947 in 2021;[1][2][better source needed] a large proportion (81%) were Welsh speaking.

It is the birthplace of the Welsh poet Sir Albert Evans-Jones (bardic name Cynan).

As a local railhead with a market every Wednesday, the town is a gathering point for the peninsula's population.

The town grew around the shipbuilding and fishing industries and the granite quarry at Gimlet Rock (Welsh: Carreg yr Imbill).

[8] Poet Albert Evans-Jones, who was an archdruid for the National Eisteddfod of Wales and was known by his bardic name Cynan, was born in Pwllheli.

A community called Pwllheli was created instead, covering the area of the abolished borough.

This new school was subsequently expanded to accommodate all pupils under the Ysgol Glan y Môr name.

Pwllheli railway station is the north-western terminus of the Cambrian Coast Line, which provides services to Machynlleth; most trains continue on to Shrewsbury and Birmingham International.

Bus services on the Llŷn Peninsula are operated by Berwyn Coaches and Nefyn.

South Beach stretches from Gimlet Rock, across the Promenade and West End, towards Penrhos and Llanbedrog.

Glan-y-don Beach is on the eastern side of the river mouth and runs for 3 miles (5 km) from behind the marina workshops and out towards Penychain (holiday camp).