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Buffalo City

Cat A · Metropolitan

Eastern Cape · MIIF METRO · BUF

Demographics

Population (2022)975 255Census 2022
Population (2011)781 853Boundary-aligned
Population Growth2.1%2011–2022
Male Population461 6932022
Female Population513 5622022
Sex Ratio89.9Males per 100 females
Population Density354,3 /km²2 753 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years24.8%Census 2022
15–34 years32.8%Census 2022
35–59 years30.5%Census 2022
60+ years11.9%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households268 438Census 2022
Avg Household Size3.6Persons per household
Formal Dwellings229 71085.6%
Informal Dwellings30 16011.2%
Traditional Dwellings7 9423.0%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access80.7%216 678 households
No Toilet Access0.8%2 137 households
Electricity for Cooking66.0%176 849 households
Water Scheme Access92.1%247 178 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)233 425Persons attending school, 2022
School Attendance (2011)195 367Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population
975 255
This municipality
291 209
National avg
+684 046
Pop. Density /km²
354.3
This municipality
117.7
National avg
+236.6
Avg Household Size
3.6
This municipality
3.9
National avg
Same
Formal Dwelling %
85.6%
This municipality
87.0%
National avg
-1.4%
Electricity Access %
66.0%
This municipality
66.0%
National avg
Same
Flush Toilet %
80.7%
This municipality
62.0%
National avg
+18.7%

vs Eastern Cape Provincial Average

Population
975 255
This municipality
219 097
Provincial avg
+756 158
Pop. Density /km²
354.3
This municipality
79.2
Provincial avg
+275.1
Avg Household Size
3.6
This municipality
3.9
Provincial avg
Same
Formal Dwelling %
85.6%
This municipality
82.3%
Provincial avg
+3.3%
Electricity Access %
66.0%
This municipality
63.5%
Provincial avg
+2.5%
Flush Toilet %
80.7%
This municipality
52.8%
Provincial avg
+27.9%

vs Largest in Eastern Cape (Nelson Mandela Bay)

Population
975 255
This municipality
1 190 496
Nelson Mandela Bay
-215 241
Pop. Density /km²
354.3
This municipality
608.3
Nelson Mandela Bay
-254.0
Avg Household Size
3.6
This municipality
3.9
Nelson Mandela Bay
Same
Formal Dwelling %
85.6%
This municipality
92.0%
Nelson Mandela Bay
-6.4%
Electricity Access %
66.0%
This municipality
77.0%
Nelson Mandela Bay
-11.0%
Flush Toilet %
80.7%
This municipality
93.5%
Nelson Mandela Bay
-12.8%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +2.1% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (85.6%) is 3.3 percentage points above the provincial average.

Population density (354.3 /km²) is well above the national municipal average of 117.7 /km².

Flush toilet access (80.7%) is 27.9 percentage points above the provincial average.

Related Municipalities

Other municipalities in Eastern Cape with similar population size.

All data from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets (revised August 2025). Last updated 2026-06-04.