Kolis are found in Maharashtra. They are also one of the original inhabitants of Greater Mumbai, which comprises the seven islands of Bombay. Most are farmers or fishers, as in Thane, Mumbai and Maharashtra.

In Maharashtra the Kolis almost exclusively speak Marathi language, though some Koli communities speak a variant dialect of Marathi. The Kolis of Mumbai are dispersed all over the city, especially along the western coast of the city. The Kolis of Vasai and Bhayandar are Hindu and Christian, though both belong to the Marathi ethnic group. The community has several subcastes, the prominent ones are Koli kolis, Mangela Kolis, Vaity kolis, Christian Kolis, Mahadeo kolis, Suryawanshi kolis.