Largest Urban Areas by Population in South Africa

These figures are from the 2011 census, 15 years old.

219 urban areas in South Africa with 15,000 or more inhabitants, ranked by population at the census of October 9, 2011 (by Statistics South Africa). An urban area is a continuous built-up area, which can span several municipalities.

Rank	Urban Area	Population
1	JohannesburgWitwatersrand	7,860,781
2	Cape Townincl. Mitchell's Plain, Khayelitsha, Bellville	3,430,992
3	Durbanincl. Umlazi, Chatsworth, Kwa-Mashu, Pinetown	2,786,046
4	Pretoriaincl. Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Centurion, Akasia	1,763,336
5	Port Elizabethincl. Ibhayi, Bethelsdorp, Motherwell	876,436
6	Soshanguve- Mabopane - Ga-Rankuwa - Winterveldt	728,063
7	Evaton- Sebokeng - Orange Farm	605,504
8	Pietermaritzburgincl. Edendale, Imbali, Mkondeni	475,238
9	Bloemfontein- Mangaung	464,591
10	Vereeniging- Vanderbijlpark - Sharpeville - Meyerton	377,922
11	Rustenburg- Tlhabane - Meriting	311,901
12	Witbank- KwaGuqa	311,657
13	East London	295,644
14	Newcastle- Madadeni - Osizweni	291,484
15	Uitenhage- Kwanobuhle - Despatch	242,924
16	Polokwane (Pietersburg)- Seshego	227,407
17	Kimberley- Galeshewe	225,155
18	Welkom- Thabong	211,014
19	Paarl- Wellington	197,735
20	Klerksdorp- Jouberton	189,496
21	Somerset West- Strand - Nomzano	188,035
22	Botshabelo	181,712
23	Mdantsane- Potsdam	171,522
24	Middelburg- Mhluzi	163,809
25	George- Thembalethu	157,397
26	Carletonville- Khutsong - Wedela	149,065
27	Potchefstroom- Ikageng	148,804
28	Mthatha (Umtata)	137,589
29	KwaDukuza (Stanger)	134,525
30	Ladysmith- Ezakheni	119,726
31	Embalenhle	118,889
32	Sasolburg- Zamdela	113,368
33	Queenstown- Mlungisi - Ezibeleni	98,988
34	Kroonstad- Maokeng	97,780
35	Worcester- Zweletemba	97,075
36	Tweefontein- Somaroboro	95,457
37	Hammanskraal- Temba - Kudube	94,273
38	Orkney- Kanana	91,854
39	Thohoyandou	89,427
40	Standerton- Sakhile	84,383
41	Ermelo- Wesselton	83,735
42	Stellenbosch- Khayamandi	80,316
43	King William's Town- Bisho - Zwelitsha	77,682
44	Bethlehem- Bohlokong	76,015
45	Mokopane (Potgietersrus)- Mahwelereng	75,516
46	Heidelberg- Ratanda	71,661
47	Atlantis	69,055
48	Upington- Paballelo	67,581
49	Grahamstown- Rhini	67,264
50	Virginia- Meloding	66,208
51	Mossel Bay- Kwanonqaba - Hartenbos - Dana Bay	65,887
52	Brits- Oukasie - Mothutlung	65,113
53	Mafikeng (Mahikeng)- Mmabatho	64,359
54	Stilfontein- Khuma	63,836
55	Odendaalsrus- Kutlwanong	63,743
56	Mpumalanga	62,406
57	Oudtshoorn- Bongelethu	61,508
58	Bethal- Emzinoni	60,780
59	Thaba Nchu	60,696
60	Mbombela (Nelspruit)	58,670
61	Piet Retief (eMkhondo)- Ethandakukhanya	57,428
62	Phuthaditjhaba	56,251
63	Tongaat- Hambanathi	54,109
64	Delmas- Botleng	52,125
65	Kokstad- Bhongweni	51,540
66	Richards Bay	50,533
67	Knysna	50,029
68	Barberton- Emjindini	48,505
69	Ekangala	48,492
70	Parys- Tumahole	48,169
71	Vryheid- Bhekuzulu	47,365
72	Hermanus- Zwelihle - Sandbaai - Onrus River - Hawston - Fisherhaven	46,856
73	Vryburg- Huhudi	46,639
74	Bothaville- Kgotsong	46,029
75	Lichtenburg- Boikhutso	45,449
76	Kwaggafontein	45,104
77	Bela-Bela (Warmbad)	44,999
78	Mondlo	44,981
79	Butterworth	44,308
80	SecundaTrichardt	44,049
81	Nkowankowa	42,859
82	Musina- Nancefield	42,677
83	Modimolle- Phagameng	41,988
84	Letlhabile	41,497
85	Lydenburg- Mashishing	41,403
86	Mankweng	41,298
87	Ficksburg- Meqheleng	41,248
88	Schweizer-Reneke- Ipelegeng	41,227
89	Fochville- Kokosi	38,491
90	Vredenburg- Louwville - Ongegund	38,382
91	Port Shepstone- Oslo Beach - Sea Park - Pumula	37,089
92	Siyabuswa	36,882
93	Cradock- Lingelihle	36,671
94	Malmesbury- Wesbank - Ilinge Lethu	35,897
95	Mkhuhlu	35,864
96	Graaff-Reinet- uMasizakhe	35,672
97	Aliwal North- Dukathole	35,153
98	Lebowakgomo	35,089
99	Dundee- Sibongile	34,924
100	Bronkhorstspruit- Zithobeni	34,395
101	Beaufort West- Sidesaviwa	34,085
102	Wolmaransstad- Tswelelang	33,492
103	Leslie- Lebohang	32,980
104	Phola	31,885
105	Plettenberg Bay- Kwanokuthula	31,822
106	Westonaria- Simunye - Libanon Gold Mine	31,733
107	Viljoenskroon- Rammulotsi	31,468
108	Mandini- Sundumbili	31,327
109	Grabouw- Snake Park - Elgin	31,291
110	Elukwatuni	31,184
111	Folweni	30,402
112	Nigel	30,276
113	Postmasburg- Boitshoko	30,089
114	De Aar- Nonzwakazi	29,989
115	Dwarsloop- Shatale	29,544
116	Humansdorp- Kruisfontein - KwaNomzamo	28,990
117	Thabazimbi	28,846
118	Cullinan- Refilwe	28,451
119	Wembesi	28,252
120	Whittlesea- Sada - Ekuphumleni	28,248
121	Saldanha- Diazville	28,142
122	Bloemhof- Boitumelong	27,904
123	Harrismith- Intabazwe	27,869
124	Robertson- Nkqubela	27,714
125	Mtubatuba- KwaMsane	27,695
126	Empangeni	27,606
127	Heilbron- Sandersville - Phiritona	27,407
128	Jeffreys Bay- Paradise Beach	27,107
129	Howick- KwaMevana	27,087
130	Wesselsbron- Monyakeng	26,808
131	Margate- Shelly Beach - Ramsgate Beach	26,786
132	Ulundi	26,538
133	Hartbeestfontein A	26,337
134	Marapong	26,228
135	Frankfort- Namahadi	26,144
136	Balfour- Siyathemba	25,969
137	Port Alfred- Nkwenkwezi	25,858
138	Ladybrand- Manyatseng	25,816
139	Mpophomeni	25,732
140	Fort Beaufort- Kwatinidubu	25,668
141	Senekal- Matwabeng	25,543
142	Louis Trichardt- Tshikota - Eltivillas	25,359
143	Mookgophong (Naboomspruit)	24,854
144	Stutterheim- Cumakala	24,672
145	Volksrust- Vukuzakhe	24,281
146	Ceres- Bella Vista	23,873
147	Theunissen- Masilo	23,513
148	Bultfontein- Phahameng	23,365
149	Ballito- Umhlali - Sheffield Beach	23,135
150	Jan Kempdorp- Valspan	23,003
151	Shakaskraal- Nkobongo	22,824
152	Hendrina- KwaZamokuhle	22,786
153	Warrenton- Ikhutseng	22,588
154	Hartebeespoort- Kosmos Ridge	22,312
155	Praktiseer	22,264
156	Ventersdorp- Tshing	22,073
157	Estcourt- Emabhanoyini	22,072
158	Dimbaza	21,784
159	White River	21,373
160	Amandelbult Mine- Setaria	21,356
161	Kamaqhekeza	21,192
162	Christiana- Utlwanang - Geluksoord	20,882
163	Phomolong	20,562
164	Reitz- Petsana	20,183
165	Barkly West- Mataleng	20,105
166	Douglas- Breipaas - Phelindaba	20,082
167	Itsoseng	19,959
168	Gonubie- Mzamonhle	19,809
169	Marikana (Rooikoppies)	19,522
170	Koster- Reagile	19,498
171	Deneysville- Refengkgotso	19,478
172	Allanridge- Phathakahle	19,337
173	Redhill- Dundonald - Glenmore - Swalluwsnest	19,325
174	Greytown- Lindelani - eMahlalakahle	19,313
175	Somerset East- KwaNojoli	18,824
176	Middelburg- KwaNonzame - Midros	18,680
177	Hartbeestfontein- Tigane	18,608
178	Moloto	18,426
179	Ottosdal- Letsopa	18,372
180	Vredendal	18,170
181	Mooi Rivier- Bruntville	18,137
182	Verena	17,738
183	Vrede- Thembalihle	17,689
184	Lephalale (Ellisras)	17,639
185	Clocolan- Hlohlolwane	17,602
186	Glencoe- Sithembile	17,548
187	Swellendam- Railton	17,522
188	Villiers- Qalabotjha	17,315
189	Coligny- Tlhabologang	17,278
190	Colesberg- Kuyasa - Lowryville	16,870
191	Carolina- Silobela	16,847
192	Belfast (eMakhazeni)- Siyathuthuka	16,723
193	Vaalwater- Leseding	16,462
194	Ncotshane	16,328
195	Vaalbank- Allemansdrift	16,290
196	Umzinto	16,205
197	Riversdale	16,177
198	Hoopstad- Tikwana	16,033
199	Burgersdorp- Mzamomhle	15,991
200	Zeerust- Ikageleng	15,987
201	Tshitereke- Vondwe	15,935
202	Sabie- Simile	15,778
203	Zastron- Matlakeng	15,607
204	Bredasdorp	15,524
205	Marquard- Moemaneng	15,502
206	Clydesdale- Umzimkhulu	15,322
207	Kinross	15,246
208	Kriel (Ga-Nala)	15,237
209	Montagu- Ashbury	15,176
210	Ndevana- Izeleni	15,150
211	Alice	15,142
212	Groot Brakrivier- Terniet - Glentana	15,031
213	Tekwane- Entokozweni	14,895
214	Tshiame	14,857
215	Ritchie- Motswedimosa	14,850
216	Elliot- Masibambane - Takalani - Vergenoeg - Polar Park	14,376
217	Frischgewaagd	13,515
218	DaggakraalVlakpoort	13,182
219	Phalaborwa	13,108

Source: Statistics South Africa (2011 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.Show moreShow less

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.

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

Rank	Urban Area	Population Estimate (2026)	Yearly Change	Land Area (km²)	Density (P/km²)	World Rank	Projections (2030)	Projections (2050)
1	Johannesburg	7,173,199	+1.34%	1,459	4,917	49	7,557,294	8,916,021
2	Cape Town	4,585,729	+1.68%	723	6,344	93	4,892,959	6,127,476
3	Durban	3,179,346	+0.04%	724	4,391	156	3,185,024	3,157,978
4	Pretoria	1,862,152	+1.40%	430	4,333	272	1,966,094	2,329,108
5	Klipgat	1,317,564	+1.27%	324	4,064	391	1,384,557	1,691,727
6	Tembisa	1,317,315	+1.43%	141	9,356	393	1,392,528	1,651,801
7	Evaton	782,698	+1.21%	125	6,262	679	820,574	1,008,731
8	Gqeberha	661,405	+0.03%	144	4,593	826	662,144	657,010
9	Masetjhaba View	535,560	+2.46%	76	7,047	1,041	588,192	775,790
10	Bloemfontein	501,579	+1.05%	115	4,354	1,111	522,717	678,064
11	Chief Albert Luthuli Park	458,367	+3.74%	60	7,614	1,230	527,019	699,257
12	Polokwane	452,460	+0.15%	115	3,934	1,246	455,157	458,724
13	Edendale	344,358	+0.41%	109	3,171	1,680	350,072	347,770
14	Kanyamazane	296,149	+1.33%	110	2,697	1,980	311,900	391,436
15	Kimberley	280,742	+3.44%	66	4,280	2,085	319,400	401,676
16	Madadeni	277,698	+0.15%	69	4,013	2,113	279,368	275,150
17	Paarl	265,230	+2.10%	49	5,435	2,228	287,492	448,328
18	Vanderbijlpark	260,166	+1.18%	66	3,930	2,270	272,457	383,636
19	Centurion	260,046	+1.59%	90	2,889	2,275	276,630	354,959
20	Somerset West	244,643	+1.92%	55	4,481	2,422	263,445	390,177
21	Reeston	244,460	+0.03%	65	3,761	2,425	244,742	242,763
22	Rustenburg	223,705	+1.33%	78	2,868	2,658	235,632	303,959
23	eMalahleni	223,187	+1.17%	58	3,848	2,671	233,593	287,534
24	Botshabelo-N	223,082	+2.26%	63	3,552	2,674	243,224	323,582
25	Lenasia	217,786	+1.38%	41	5,261	2,754	229,848	290,316
26	Ennerdale	214,274	+1.79%	45	4,804	2,794	229,657	307,425
27	Middelburg	212,354	+1.15%	57	3,726	2,831	222,144	267,040
28	Diepsloot	198,440	+0.85%	11	17,718	3,054	205,149	281,810
29	Phuthaditjhaba	182,254	+0.06%	91	2,003	3,344	182,704	180,913
30	Vosman	182,090	+1.22%	22	8,129	3,349	190,976	218,823
31	George	180,250	+0.19%	37	4,845	3,386	181,622	184,744
32	KwaMhlanga	166,880	+1.70%	70	2,398	3,664	178,204	264,951
33	Motherwell	165,115	+0.01%	25	6,605	3,705	165,174	163,721
34	Riebeeckstad	160,357	+1.52%	38	4,176	3,816	170,101	275,860
35	Sisulu Village	157,536	+0.05%	38	4,146	3,893	157,831	156,704
36	Sakhrol	150,723	+0.65%	28	5,345	4,079	154,646	166,464
37	eMbalenhle	148,690	+1.19%	22	6,698	4,131	155,768	179,233
38	Seweding	147,448	+1.03%	65	2,282	4,180	153,520	172,789
39	Ga-Rankuwa	147,093	+1.99%	41	3,588	4,191	158,821	228,152
40	Bombay Heights	143,768	+0.03%	36	3,994	4,291	143,947	143,971
41	Mohadin	142,058	+0.77%	28	5,074	4,333	146,452	161,239
42	KwaNobuhle	125,713	+0.05%	20	6,286	4,928	125,989	125,183
43	Cosmo City	123,400	+2.43%	17	7,092	5,035	135,397	195,236
44	Paardekraal Ext 2	121,431	+1.52%	25	4,819	5,126	128,799	306,205
45	Worcester	115,386	+3.77%	27	4,338	5,406	132,776	182,135
46	Coalbrook	113,608	+1.25%	25	4,544	5,496	119,298	142,935
47	Kariega	111,905	+0.03%	26	4,304	5,582	112,036	111,108
48	Akasia	107,970	+1.70%	41	2,659	5,790	115,330	142,559
49	Sekgakgapeng	105,251	+0.14%	41	2,567	5,944	105,834	106,532
50	Stellenbosch	104,726	+3.07%	21	5,035	5,979	117,601	179,325
51	Mpumalanga	104,675	+0.11%	32	3,271	5,982	105,143	104,533
52	KaMaqhekeza	104,464	+2.87%	38	2,764	5,992	116,461	144,882
53	Mboloko	103,811	+1.38%	33	3,146	6,033	109,558	142,695
54	Blouberg Rise	100,730	+1.91%	30	3,335	6,209	108,431	140,950
55	Rua Vista	100,726	+1.49%	14	7,406	6,211	106,741	131,146
56	Kroonstad	97,747	+1.26%	28	3,491	6,406	102,672	124,662
57	Mohlakeng	96,600	+0.72%	18	5,367	6,477	99,369	112,874
58	Vorna Valley	94,343	+2.06%	33	2,894	6,640	102,132	136,191
59	Jerusalem	93,234	+1.65%	40	2,308	6,721	99,381	138,086
60	Ermelo	93,042	+1.72%	26	3,524	6,740	99,443	126,206
61	Uitkomsdal	88,392	+0.47%	17	5,200	7,124	90,039	95,476
62	Atlantis	85,082	+1.98%	15	5,672	7,415	91,819	143,389
63	Sikhalasenkosi	83,270	+0.05%	24	3,470	7,591	83,450	82,717
64	Sakhile	75,574	+1.47%	18	4,152	8,345	80,020	127,434
65	Paballelo	71,040	+1.40%	16	4,440	8,844	75,020	116,128
66	Khutsong	70,392	+0.92%	16	4,400	8,924	72,978	82,030
67	Modderspruit	70,157	+2.10%	20	3,439	8,953	76,051	96,521
68	Mankweng	70,067	+0.10%	27	2,595	8,962	70,353	70,630
69	Piet Retief	68,623	+1.94%	22	3,091	9,143	73,949	94,072
70	Makhanda	67,937	+0.02%	17	3,996	9,232	67,993	67,397
71	Ekangala	67,460	+1.24%	17	3,968	9,296	70,803	84,433
72	Umtata Central	64,648	+0.02%	28	2,309	9,713	64,690	64,090
73	eMzinoni	63,435	+1.25%	17	3,731	9,904	66,609	98,703
74	D'Almeida	63,305	+0.04%	16	3,957	9,927	63,419	62,974
75	Oudtshoorn	62,403	−0.03%	12	5,200	10,080	62,316	61,604
76	Bohlokong	59,333	+0.02%	13	4,564	10,539	59,379	59,895
77	Tongaat	58,799	+0.16%	19	3,095	10,630	59,185	58,970
78	Framesby	58,029	+0.01%	28	2,072	10,744	58,060	57,491
79	Brits	58,002	+1.17%	15	3,867	10,751	60,716	74,990
80	Thohoyandou	57,667	+0.20%	29	1,989	10,816	58,125	58,734
81	Malmesbury	57,582	+2.01%	13	4,429	10,828	62,207	83,354
82	Tierkloof	57,145	+1.94%	12	4,762	10,926	61,571	89,523
83	Ezakheni	57,139	+0.08%	20	2,857	10,928	57,333	56,870
84	Empangeni	57,122	+0.10%	25	2,285	10,931	57,357	56,959
85	Kutlwanong	55,986	+1.86%	12	4,589	11,138	60,155	75,603
86	Du Noon	55,438	+2.04%	4.80	11,550	11,244	59,972	83,031
87	Brakpan	54,687	+3.93%	23	2,337	11,377	63,289	103,499
88	Sandringham	54,576	+0.01%	13	4,198	11,410	54,588	54,070
89	Matsulu	54,424	+0.86%	15	3,628	11,439	56,290	69,500
90	Springs	53,831	+2.06%	19	2,804	11,563	58,262	103,785
91	Masiphumelele	53,272	+1.46%	11	4,843	11,661	56,373	153,829
92	Stanger / KwaDukuza	52,622	+0.07%	15	3,508	11,787	52,763	52,319
93	Bekkersdal	52,364	+0.65%	8.00	6,545	11,836	53,722	62,214
94	Walmer South	52,274	−0.03%	17	3,075	11,850	52,208	–
95	Khuma	51,681	+1.24%	10	5,067	11,949	54,247	59,164

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

Data topics

Reference

Tools

Largest Urban Areas by Population in South Africa

See also