Largest Towns, Villages and Settlements by Population in Namibia

91 towns, villages and settlements in Namibia with 500 or more inhabitants, ranked by population at the census of September 24, 2023 (by Namibia Statistics Agency). 34 places missing from that count keep their 2011 census figure.

RankTown, Village or SettlementPopulation
1Windhoek486,186
2Rundu118,632
3Walvis Bayincl. Langstrand102,704
4Swakopmund75,921
5Oshakati58,656
6Otjiwarongo49,022
7Katima Mulilo46,401
8Okahandja45,182
9Rehoboth40,788
10Tsumeb34,960
11Ongwediva33,777
12Gobabis33,418
13Ondangwa30,364
14Helao Nafidiincl. Oshikango29,119
15Keetmanshoop (ǂNuǂgoaes)27,862
16Grootfontein26,839
17Mariental18,494
18Eenhana16,588
19Lüderitz16,156
20Outjo15,063
21Outapi (Utapi)13,664
22Opuwo12,331
23Omaruru10,767
24Otavi10,756
25Nkurenkuru10,463
26KhorixasSorris Sorris9,371
27Karibib8,434
28Oranjemund7,736
29Henties Bay7,569
30Omuthiya7,560
31Okahao7,486
32Okakarara7,123
33Otjinene6,876
34Karasburg (ǀNomsoros)6,621
35Ruacana5,939
36Divundu5,787
37Arandis5,726
38Rosh Pinah5,518(2011 census)
39Oshikuku5,499
40Aranos5,493
41Usakos5,094
42Osire5,013(2011 census)
43Ondangwa East4,845(2011 census)
44Oniipa4,740
45Aussenkehr4,522(2011 census)
46Gibeon4,120
47Kamanjab3,915
48Okongo3,564
49Maltahöhe3,464
50Stampriet3,388
51Groot Aub2,913(2011 census)
52Aroab2,651
53Witvlei2,633
54Tsandi2,595
55Bethanie (ǀUiǂgandes)2,372
56Koës2,264
57Leonardville2,099
58Tses2,053
59Noordoewer2,026(2011 census)
60Bukalo1,935
61Oshivelo1,930(2011 census)
62Gochas1,868
63Kalkrand1,602
64Uis1,495(2011 census)
65Tsumkwe1,404(2011 census)
66Kalkfeld1,398(2011 census)
67Hoachanas1,349(2011 census)
68Okandjatu1,170(2011 census)
69Okalongo1,114(2011 census)
70Okombahe1,093(2011 census)
71Aus1,066(2011 census)
72Berseba (ǃAutsawises)992
73Schlip963(2011 census)
74Sesfontein918(2011 census)
75Linyanti896(2011 census)
76Omungwelume769(2011 census)
77Okangwati723(2011 census)
78Omitara - Otjivero703(2011 census)
79Ariamsvlei622(2011 census)
80Omawewozonyanda583(2011 census)
81Fransfontein553(2011 census)
82Otjituuo527(2011 census)
83Ogongo483(2011 census)
84Ongenga454(2011 census)
85Grünau430(2011 census)
86Ehangano421(2011 census)
87Berg Aukas330(2011 census)
88Onesi320(2011 census)
89Warmbad (|Aixa-aibes)317(2011 census)
90Rietoog312(2011 census)
91Okamatapati255(2011 census)

Source: Namibia Statistics Agency (2023 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff.

Why don't these match official city populations?Official figures typically count only the population within administrative boundaries. UN urban area figures cover the entire built-up area, which can include multiple cities and towns.

Tokyo

33,338,852

Urban area

9,953,160

23 wards

Essen

2,709,375

Urban area

573,618

City of Essen

Ankara

3,630,865

Urban area

5,186,002

Metropolitan municipality

What counts as an urban area? The UN uses satellite imagery to map built-up land, and treats each continuous stretch of built-up land as an urban area. This means that urban areas can extend beyond official city boundaries, and may include multiple cities and towns within a single urban area.

Can an urban area be smaller than its city? Yes. While most cities have urban areas larger than their administrative boundaries, some cities have extensive administrative limits that include sparsely populated areas.

4 urban areas in Namibia with 50,000 or more inhabitants, ranked by the UN's population estimates for 2026.

RankUrban AreaPopulation Estimate (2026)Yearly ChangeLand Area (km²)Density (P/km²)World RankProjections (2030)Projections (2050)
1Windhoek419,202+2.25%755,5891,359456,977552,444
2Swakopmund94,124+4.55%243,9886,653111,264210,460
3Kuisebmond92,748+6.47%194,7816,766116,750201,964
4Rundu70,076+2.53%223,2448,95977,162116,322

Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025). World Urbanization Prospects: The 2025 Revision, Online Edition.

See also