Provinces
The population of the provinces of the Republic of South Africa according to census results and latest official estimates.
| Name | Abbr. | Capital | Area A-L (km²) | Population Census (C) 1996-10-09 | Population Census (C) 2001-10-09 | Population Census (C) 2011-10-09 | Population Estimate (E) 2021-07-01 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | ZAF | Pretoria / Cape Town | 1,220,813 | 40,583,573 | 44,819,778 | 51,770,560 | 60,143,000 | → | ||
| Eastern Cape | EC | Bisho | 168,966 | 6,147,244 | 6,278,651 | 6,562,053 | 6,676,600 | 16896600 | → | |
| Free State (Oranje Free State) | FS | Bloemfontein | 129,825 | 2,633,504 | 2,706,775 | 2,745,590 | 2,932,400 | 12982500 | → | |
| Gauteng | GT | Johannesburg | 18,178 | 7,834,125 | 9,388,854 | 12,272,263 | 15,810,400 | 1817800 | → | |
| KwaZulu-Natal | KZN | Pietermaritzburg | 94,361 | 8,572,302 | 9,584,129 | 10,267,300 | 11,513,600 | 9436100 | → | |
| Limpopo (Northern Transvaal) | LIM | Polokwane | 125,754 | 4,576,566 | 4,995,462 | 5,404,868 | 5,926,700 | 12575400 | → | |
| Mpumalanga (Eastern Transvaal) | MP | Nelspruit | 76,495 | 3,123,869 | 3,365,554 | 4,039,939 | 4,743,600 | 7649500 | → | |
| Northern Cape | NC | Kimberley | 372,889 | 1,011,864 | 991,919 | 1,145,861 | 1,303,000 | 37288900 | → | |
| North West | NW | Mahikeng | 104,882 | 2,727,223 | 2,984,098 | 3,509,953 | 4,122,900 | 10488200 | → | |
| Western Cape | WC | Cape Town | 129,462 | 3,956,875 | 4,524,335 | 5,822,734 | 7,113,800 | 12946200 | → |
- Statistics South Africa (web).
Major Urban Areas
| Name | Adm. | Population Census (C) 2011-10-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johannesburg | GT | 7,860,781 |
| 2 | Cape Town | WC | 3,430,992 |
| 3 | Durban | KZN | 2,786,046 |
| 4 | Pretoria | GT | 1,763,336 |
| 5 | Port Elizabeth | EC | 876,436 |
| 6 | Soshanguve | GT | 728,063 |
| 7 | Evaton | GT | 605,504 |
| 8 | Pietermaritzburg | KZN | 475,238 |
| 9 | Bloemfontein | FS | 464,591 |
| 10 | Vereeniging | GT | 377,922 |
Contents: Urban Areas
The population of all South African urban areas with more than 15,000 inhabitants by census years.
The urban areas are aggregated from sub places that are completely or mostly urban according to the 2011 definition. The aggregation to "reasonable" urban areas was done by »City Population«.
| Name | Adm. | Population Census (C) 2001-10-09 | Population Census (C) 2011-10-09 | Area | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice | EC | ... | 15,142 | 985 | → | |
| Aliwal North (- Dukathole) | EC | 28,465 | 35,153 | 3954 | → | |
| Allanridge (- Phathakahle) | FS | 19,671 | 19,337 | 3174 | → | |
| Amandelbult Mine (- Setaria) | LIM | 23,363 | 21,356 | 13463 | → | |
| Atlantis | WC | 56,225 | 69,055 | 8800 | → | |
| Balfour (- Siyathemba) | MP | 20,091 | 25,969 | 1598 | → | |
| Ballito (- Umhlali - Sheffield Beach) | KZN | ... | 23,135 | 3705 | → | |
| Barberton (- Emjindini) | MP | 34,037 | 48,505 | 3569 | → | |
| Barkly West (- Mataleng) | NC | 14,071 | 20,105 | 7306 | → | |
| Beaufort West (- Sidesaviwa) | WC | 30,678 | 34,085 | 5650 | → | |
| Bela-Bela [Warmbad] | LIM | 32,147 | 44,999 | 2328 | → | |
| Belfast (- Siyathuthuka) [eMakhazeni] | MP | ... | 16,723 | 8334 | → | |
| Bethal (- Emzinoni) | MP | 35,929 | 60,780 | 5194 | → | |
| Bethlehem (- Bohlokong) | FS | 66,600 | 76,015 | 3232 | → | |
| Bisho [Bhisho] | EC | King William's Town | King William's Town | 0 | ||
| Bloemfontein (- Mangaung) | FS | 364,348 | 464,591 | 26878 | → | |
| Bloemhof (- Boitumelong) | NW | 22,033 | 27,904 | 5092 | → | |
| Bothaville (- Kgotsong) | FS | 49,201 | 46,029 | 4301 | → | |
| Botshabelo | FS | 175,233 | 181,712 | 10398 | → | |
| Bredasdorp | WC | 12,752 | 15,524 | 2515 | → | |
| Brits (- Oukasie - Mothutlung) | NW | 44,991 | 65,113 | 11974 | → | |
| Bronkhorstspruit (- Zithobeni) | GT | 23,213 | 34,395 | 1424 | → | |
| Bultfontein (- Phahameng) | FS | 21,097 | 23,365 | 4398 | → | |
| Burgersdorp (- Mzamomhle) | EC | 13,537 | 15,991 | 3092 | → | |
| Butterworth | EC | 45,903 | 44,308 | 2148 | → | |
| Cape Town (incl. Mitchell's Plain, Khayelitsha, Bellville) | WC | 2,678,407 | 3,430,992 | 113679 | → | |
| Carletonville (- Khutsong - Wedela) | GT | 163,238 | 149,065 | 26597 | → | |
| Carolina (- Silobela) | MP | 12,115 | 16,847 | 1466 | → | |
| Ceres (- Bella Vista) | WC | 21,039 | 23,873 | 8002 | → | |
| Christiana (- Utlwanang - Geluksoord) | NW | 16,574 | 20,882 | 5387 | → | |
| Clocolan (- Hlohlolwane) | FS | 16,653 | 17,602 | 1897 | → | |
| Clydesdale (- Umzimkhulu) | KZN | 10,277 | 15,322 | 1253 | → | |
| Colesberg (- Kuyasa - Lowryville) | NC | 12,761 | 16,870 | 17484 | → | |
| Coligny (- Tlhabologang) | NW | 12,855 | 17,278 | 632 | → | |
| Cradock (- Lingelihle) | EC | 31,278 | 36,671 | 12596 | → | |
| Cullinan (- Refilwe) | GT | 21,073 | 28,451 | 5824 | → | |
| Daggakraal [Vlakpoort] | MP | ... | 13,182 | 1733 | → | |
| De Aar (- Nonzwakazi) | NC | 26,012 | 29,989 | 8550 | → | |
| Delmas (- Botleng) | MP | 34,319 | 52,125 | 2743 | → | |
| Deneysville (- Refengkgotso) | FS | 15,421 | 19,478 | 4591 | → | |
| Dimbaza | EC | 24,943 | 21,784 | 1728 | → | |
| Douglas (- Breipaas - Phelindaba) | NC | 15,485 | 20,082 | 8642 | → | |
| Dundee (- Sibongile) | KZN | 28,053 | 34,924 | 4860 | → | |
| Durban (incl. Umlazi, Chatsworth, Kwa-Mashu, Pinetown) | KZN | 2,487,162 | 2,786,046 | 89732 | → | |
| Dwarsloop (- Shatale) | MP | ... | 29,544 | 2731 | → | |
| East London | EC | 232,701 | 295,644 | 17191 | → | |
| Ekangala | GT | 34,997 | 48,492 | 4605 | → | |
| Elliot (- Masibambane - Takalani - Vergenoeg - Polar Park) | EC | 15,084 | 14,376 | 2885 | → | |
| Elukwatuni | MP | 23,070 | 31,184 | 3442 | → | |
| Embalenhle | MP | 92,851 | 118,889 | 1965 | → | |
| eMkhondo (- Ethandakukhanya) [Piet Retief] | MP | 37,919 | 57,428 | 6600 | → | |
| Empangeni | KZN | 13,317 | 27,606 | 1494 | → | |
| Ermelo (- Wesselton) | MP | 51,237 | 83,735 | 3141 | → | |
| Estcourt (- Emabhanoyini) | KZN | 16,943 | 22,072 | 6074 | → | |
| Evaton (- Sebokeng - Orange Farm) | GT | 550,903 | 605,504 | 12850 | → | |
| Ficksburg (- Meqheleng) | FS | 35,452 | 41,248 | 5818 | → | |
| Fochville (- Kokosi) | GT | 34,397 | 38,491 | 1635 | → | |
| Folweni | KZN | 28,756 | 30,402 | 340 | → | |
| Fort Beaufort (- Kwatinidubu) | EC | 22,190 | 25,668 | 8281 | → | |
| Frankfort (- Namahadi) | FS | 19,460 | 26,144 | 2095 | → | |
| Frischgewaagd | KZN | 14,191 | 13,515 | 718 | → | |
| George (- Thembalethu) | WC | 121,289 | 157,397 | 8385 | → | |
| Glencoe (- Sithembile) | KZN | 14,078 | 17,548 | 2658 | → | |
| Gonubie (- Mzamonhle) | EC | 15,165 | 19,809 | 1260 | → | |
| Graaff-Reinet (- uMasizakhe) | EC | 32,460 | 35,672 | 20361 | → | |
| Grabouw (- Snake Park - Elgin) | WC | 21,582 | 31,291 | 729 | → | |
| Grahamstown (- Rhini) | EC | 61,753 | 67,264 | 6505 | → | |
| Greytown (- Lindelani - eMahlalakahle) | KZN | 15,811 | 19,313 | 785 | → | |
| Groot Brakrivier (- Terniet - Glentana) | WC | 10,036 | 15,031 | 3126 | → | |
| Hammanskraal (- Temba - Kudube) | GT | 76,827 | 94,273 | 3627 | → | |
| Harrismith (- Intabazwe) | FS | 26,090 | 27,869 | 13880 | → | |
| Hartbeestfontein (- Tigane) | NW | 13,377 | 18,608 | 930 | → | |
| Hartbeestfontein A | NW | 23,956 | 26,337 | 974 | → | |
| Hartebeespoort (- Kosmos Ridge) | NW | ... | 22,312 | 10559 | → | |
| Heidelberg (- Ratanda) | GT | 47,554 | 71,661 | 4676 | → | |
| Heilbron (- Sandersville - Phiritona) | FS | 25,515 | 27,407 | 1772 | → | |
| Hendrina (- KwaZamokuhle) | MP | 13,738 | 22,786 | 1007 | → | |
| Hermanus (- Zwelihle - Sandbaai - Onrus River - Hawston - Fisherhaven) | WC | 30,117 | 46,856 | 4257 | → | |
| Hoopstad (- Tikwana) | FS | 11,694 | 16,033 | 3021 | → | |
| Howick (- KwaMevana) | KZN | 16,868 | 27,087 | 9735 | → | |
| Humansdorp (- Kruisfontein - KwaNomzamo) | EC | 21,894 | 28,990 | 3453 | → | |
| Itsoseng | NW | ... | 19,959 | 709 | → | |
| Jan Kempdorp (- Valspan) | NC | 16,238 | 23,003 | 1559 | → | |
| Jeffreys Bay (- Paradise Beach) | EC | 16,177 | 27,107 | 2079 | → | |
| Johannesburg (Witwatersrand) | GT | 5,914,919 | 7,860,781 | 335692 | → | |
| Kamaqhekeza | MP | ... | 21,192 | 883 | → | |
| Kimberley (- Galeshewe) | NC | 185,269 | 225,155 | 16429 | → | |
| King William's Town (- Bisho - Zwelitsha) | EC | 63,774 | 77,682 | 8615 | → | |
| Kinross | MP | ... | 15,246 | 645 | → | |
| Klerksdorp (- Jouberton) | NW | 163,493 | 189,496 | 8617 | → | |
| Knysna | WC | 37,833 | 50,029 | 6340 | → | |
| Kokstad (- Bhongweni) | KZN | 27,308 | 51,540 | 3607 | → | |
| Koster (- Reagile) | NW | 10,573 | 19,498 | 2112 | → | |
| Kriel [Ga-Nala] | MP | 11,479 | 15,237 | 855 | → | |
| Kroonstad (- Maokeng) | FS | 90,345 | 97,780 | 8911 | → | |
| Kwaggafontein | MP | 46,669 | 45,104 | 1784 | → | |
| Ladybrand (- Manyatseng) | FS | 21,382 | 25,816 | 4604 | → | |
| Ladysmith (- Ezakheni) | KZN | 102,366 | 119,726 | 11345 | → | |
| Lebowakgomo | LIM | ... | 35,089 | 2568 | → | |
| Lephalale [Ellisras] | LIM | ... | 17,639 | 2377 | → | |
| Leslie (- Lebohang) | MP | 20,163 | 32,980 | 937 | → | |
| Letlhabile | NW | 35,612 | 41,497 | 3404 | → | |
| Lichtenburg (- Boikhutso) | NW | 28,833 | 45,449 | 11136 | → | |
| Louis Trichardt (- Tshikota - Eltivillas) | LIM | 15,113 | 25,359 | 5642 | → | |
| Lydenburg (- Mashishing) | MP | 23,040 | 41,403 | 6257 | → | |
| Mahikeng (- Mmabatho) [Mafikeng] | NW | 51,802 | 64,359 | 5201 | → | |
| Malmesbury (- Wesbank - Ilinge Lethu) | WC | 22,958 | 35,897 | 1880 | → | |
| Mandini (- Sundumbili) | KZN | 25,379 | 31,327 | 2271 | → | |
| Mankweng | LIM | 22,607 | 41,298 | 1463 | → | |
| Marapong | LIM | ... | 26,228 | 4717 | → | |
| Margate (- Shelly Beach - Ramsgate Beach) | KZN | 16,731 | 26,786 | 2921 | → | |
| Marikana [Rooikoppies] | NW | ... | 19,522 | 1754 | → | |
| Marquard (- Moemaneng) | FS | 13,079 | 15,502 | 988 | → | |
| Mdantsane (- Potsdam) | EC | 181,679 | 171,522 | 5942 | → | |
| Middelburg (- KwaNonzame - Midros) | EC | 13,784 | 18,680 | 4476 | → | |
| Middelburg (- Mhluzi) | MP | 88,332 | 163,809 | 12768 | → | |
| Mkhuhlu | MP | 20,548 | 35,864 | 2155 | → | |
| Modimolle (- Phagameng) | LIM | 33,816 | 41,988 | 8333 | → | |
| Mokopane (- Mahwelereng) [Potgietersrus] | LIM | 52,176 | 75,516 | 8828 | → | |
| Moloto | MP | 13,462 | 18,426 | 813 | → | |
| Mondlo | KZN | 38,084 | 44,981 | 2669 | → | |
| Montagu (- Ashbury) | WC | 10,264 | 15,176 | 3271 | → | |
| Mooi Rivier (- Bruntville) | KZN | 13,408 | 18,137 | 1511 | → | |
| Mookgophong [Naboomspruit] | LIM | ... | 24,854 | 2718 | → | |
| Mossel Bay (- Kwanonqaba - Hartenbos - Dana Bay) | WC | 51,490 | 65,887 | 8446 | → | |
| Mpophomeni | KZN | 20,861 | 25,732 | 458 | → | |
| Mpumalanga | KZN | 63,699 | 62,406 | 2166 | → | |
| Mthatha [Umtata] | EC | 98,219 | 137,589 | 7384 | → | |
| Mtubatuba (- KwaMsane) | KZN | ... | 27,695 | 1921 | → | |
| Musina (- Nancefield) | LIM | 19,009 | 42,677 | 10938 | → | |
| Ncotshane | KZN | 14,327 | 16,328 | 425 | → | |
| Ndevana (- Izeleni) | EC | ... | 15,150 | 917 | → | |
| Nelspruit (Mbombela) [Mbombela] | MP | 27,177 | 58,670 | 7263 | → | |
| Newcastle (- Madadeni - Osizweni) | KZN | 279,983 | 291,484 | 14287 | → | |
| Nigel | GT | 28,338 | 30,276 | 13264 | → | |
| Nkowankowa | LIM | 19,402 | 42,859 | 2576 | → | |
| Odendaalsrus (- Kutlwanong) | FS | 68,163 | 63,743 | 4211 | → | |
| Orkney (- Kanana) | NW | 81,224 | 91,854 | 3068 | → | |
| Ottosdal (- Letsopa) | NW | 13,034 | 18,372 | 773 | → | |
| Oudtshoorn (- Bongelethu) | WC | 55,205 | 61,508 | 3764 | → | |
| Paarl (- Wellington) | WC | 145,564 | 197,735 | 9788 | → | |
| Parys (- Tumahole) | FS | 43,754 | 48,169 | 3287 | → | |
| Phalaborwa | LIM | 12,938 | 13,108 | 19333 | → | |
| Phola | MP | 22,876 | 31,885 | 635 | → | |
| Phomolong | FS | 18,143 | 20,562 | 384 | → | |
| Phuthaditjhaba | FS | 51,677 | 56,251 | 2458 | → | |
| Pietermaritzburg (incl. Edendale, Imbali, Mkondeni) | KZN | 413,900 | 475,238 | 25390 | → | |
| Plettenberg Bay (- Kwanokuthula) | WC | 18,567 | 31,822 | 4650 | → | |
| Polokwane (- Seshego) [Pietersburg] | LIM | 133,346 | 227,407 | 14705 | → | |
| Port Alfred (- Nkwenkwezi) | EC | 20,965 | 25,858 | 4658 | → | |
| Port Elizabeth (incl. Ibhayi, Bethelsdorp, Motherwell) | EC | 778,141 | 876,436 | 34078 | → | |
| Port Shepstone (- Oslo Beach - Sea Park - Pumula) | KZN | 24,571 | 37,089 | 4106 | → | |
| Postmasburg (- Boitshoko) | NC | 21,139 | 30,089 | 15841 | → | |
| Potchefstroom (- Ikageng) | NW | 118,070 | 148,804 | 18420 | → | |
| Praktiseer | LIM | ... | 22,264 | 1236 | → | |
| Pretoria (incl. Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Centurion, Akasia) | GT | 1,161,857 | 1,763,336 | 145849 | → | |
| Queenstown (- Mlungisi - Ezibeleni) | EC | 84,092 | 98,988 | 10340 | → | |
| Redhill (- Dundonald - Glenmore - Swalluwsnest) | MP | 21,394 | 19,325 | 1974 | → | |
| Reitz (- Petsana) | FS | 17,449 | 20,183 | 2570 | → | |
| Richards Bay | KZN | 39,122 | 50,533 | 11156 | → | |
| Ritchie (- Motswedimosa) | NC | 11,216 | 14,850 | 2479 | → | |
| Riversdale | WC | 12,793 | 16,177 | 10045 | → | |
| Robertson (- Nkqubela) | WC | 21,595 | 27,714 | 2345 | → | |
| Rustenburg (- Tlhabane - Meriting) | NW | 174,877 | 311,901 | 114445 | → | |
| Sabie (- Simile) | MP | ... | 15,778 | 5537 | → | |
| Saldanha (- Diazville) | WC | 21,640 | 28,142 | 1754 | → | |
| Sasolburg (- Zamdela) | FS | 81,671 | 113,368 | 8519 | → | |
| Schweizer-Reneke (- Ipelegeng) | NW | 32,651 | 41,227 | 2275 | → | |
| Senekal (- Matwabeng) | FS | 22,540 | 25,543 | 3709 | → | |
| Shakaskraal (- Nkobongo) | KZN | ... | 22,824 | 412 | → | |
| Siyabuswa | MP | 32,965 | 36,882 | 1488 | → | |
| Somerset East (- KwaNojoli) | EC | 16,569 | 18,824 | 7276 | → | |
| Somerset West (- Strand - Nomzano) | WC | 123,948 | 188,035 | 10042 | → | |
| Soshanguve (- Mabopane - Ga-Rankuwa - Winterveldt) | GT | 600,767 | 728,063 | 33843 | → | |
| Standerton (- Sakhile) | MP | 63,107 | 84,383 | 4596 | → | |
| Stanger (- KwaDukuza) | KZN | 94,317 | 134,525 | 8273 | → | |
| Stellenbosch (- Khayamandi) | WC | 59,145 | 80,316 | 2310 | → | |
| Stilfontein (- Khuma) | NW | 66,780 | 63,836 | 14828 | → | |
| Stutterheim (- Cumakala) | EC | 22,589 | 24,672 | 12142 | → | |
| Swellendam (- Railton) | WC | 13,556 | 17,522 | 3064 | → | |
| Tekwane (- Entokozweni) | MP | ... | 14,895 | 1003 | → | |
| Thaba Nchu | FS | 64,602 | 60,696 | 3100 | → | |
| Thabazimbi | LIM | 13,231 | 28,846 | 16089 | → | |
| Theunissen (- Masilo) | FS | 22,477 | 23,513 | 1385 | → | |
| Thohoyandou | LIM | 91,455 | 89,427 | 5612 | → | |
| Tongaat (- Hambanathi) | KZN | 48,683 | 54,109 | 4123 | → | |
| Trichardt (- Secunda) | MP | 28,120 | 44,049 | 19901 | → | |
| Tshiame | FS | 12,962 | 14,857 | 2605 | → | |
| Tshitereke (- Vondwe) | LIM | ... | 15,935 | 1758 | → | |
| Tweefontein (- Somaroboro) | MP | 82,132 | 95,457 | 4450 | → | |
| Uitenhage (- Kwanobuhle - Despatch) | EC | 193,271 | 242,924 | 11198 | → | |
| Ulundi | KZN | 23,649 | 26,538 | 2589 | → | |
| Umzinto | KZN | 14,714 | 16,205 | 1249 | → | |
| Upington (- Paballelo) | NC | 54,596 | 67,581 | 57367 | → | |
| Vaalbank (- Allemansdrift) | MP | 15,106 | 16,290 | 586 | → | |
| Vaalwater (- Leseding) | LIM | ... | 16,462 | 1256 | → | |
| Ventersdorp (- Tshing) | NW | 16,740 | 22,073 | 5747 | → | |
| Vereeniging (- Vanderbijlpark - Sharpeville - Meyerton) | GT | 307,275 | 377,922 | 60188 | → | |
| Verena | MP | 15,167 | 17,738 | 825 | → | |
| Viljoenskroon (- Rammulotsi) | FS | 27,089 | 31,468 | 1788 | → | |
| Villiers (- Qalabotjha) | FS | 18,232 | 17,315 | 931 | → | |
| Virginia (- Meloding) | FS | 69,789 | 66,208 | 8209 | → | |
| Volksrust (- Vukuzakhe) | MP | 20,462 | 24,281 | 2543 | → | |
| Vrede (- Thembalihle) | FS | 17,421 | 17,689 | 5012 | → | |
| Vredenburg (- Louwville - Ongegund) | WC | 27,082 | 38,382 | 1375 | → | |
| Vredendal | WC | 14,279 | 18,170 | 2308 | → | |
| Vryburg (- Huhudi) | NW | 36,177 | 46,639 | 6976 | → | |
| Vryheid (- Bhekuzulu) | KZN | 35,355 | 47,365 | 4871 | → | |
| Warrenton (- Ikhutseng) | NC | 13,096 | 22,588 | 3171 | → | |
| Welkom (- Thabong) | FS | 194,870 | 211,014 | 21270 | → | |
| Wembesi | KZN | 23,240 | 28,252 | 1317 | → | |
| Wesselsbron (- Monyakeng) | FS | 27,117 | 26,808 | 1406 | → | |
| Westonaria (- Simunye - Libanon Gold Mine) | GT | ... | 31,733 | 3317 | → | |
| White River | MP | ... | 21,373 | 7108 | → | |
| Whittlesea (- Sada - Ekuphumleni) | EC | 31,144 | 28,248 | 1994 | → | |
| Witbank (- KwaGuqa) | MP | 199,468 | 311,657 | 72110 | → | |
| Wolmaransstad (- Tswelelang) | NW | 22,708 | 33,492 | 4819 | → | |
| Worcester (- Zweletemba) | WC | 81,483 | 97,075 | 7315 | → | |
| Zastron (- Matlakeng) | FS | 10,502 | 15,607 | 2270 | → | |
| Zeerust (- Ikageleng) | NW | 12,955 | 15,987 | 5881 | → |
- The 2001 and 2011 figures are not completely comparable because of boundary differences between the sub places of 2001 and 2011. Some densely populated areas have been classified as "traditional" (and not as "urban") by Statistics South Africa and therefore are not considered here.
- Computed by »City Population« using data of Statistics South Africa (by adrianfrith.com)