City of Cape Town

Cat A · Metropolitan

Western Cape · MIIF METRO · CPT

City of Cape Town is a Category A metropolitan municipality in Western Cape, South Africa (Stats SA code CPT). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 4 772 846 — the 1st most populous of 25 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 2.4% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 87.5% of households live in formal dwellings; 93.4% have access to a flush toilet; 64.4% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 2 441 km² at a density of 1955.6 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)4 772 846Census 2022

Population (2011)3 740 031Boundary-aligned

Population Growth2.4%2011–2022

Male Population2 307 6282022

Female Population2 465 2182022

Sex Ratio93.6Males per 100 females

Population Density1 955,6 /km²2 441 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years22.4%Census 2022

15–34 years35.0%Census 2022

35–59 years32.4%Census 2022

60+ years10.2%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households1 452 845Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.3Persons per household

Formal Dwellings1 271 67987.5%

Informal Dwellings170 11511.7%

Traditional Dwellings7 4190.5%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access93.4%1 356 649 households

No Toilet Access1.0%14 383 households

Electricity for Cooking64.4%933 298 households

Water Scheme Access96.9%1 407 703 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)934 103Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)788 356Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

4 772 846

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▲ +4 481 637

Pop. Density /km²

1955.6

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▲ +1837.9

Avg Household Size

3.3

This municipality

3.9

National avg

▼ -0.6

Formal Dwelling %

87.5%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +0.5%

Electricity Access %

64.4%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▼ -1.6%

Flush Toilet %

93.4%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +31.4%

vs Western Cape Provincial Average

Population

4 772 846

This municipality

297 321

Provincial avg

▲ +4 475 525

Pop. Density /km²

1955.6

This municipality

122.7

Provincial avg

▲ +1832.9

Avg Household Size

3.3

This municipality

3.3

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

87.5%

This municipality

89.7%

Provincial avg

▼ -2.2%

Electricity Access %

64.4%

This municipality

65.9%

Provincial avg

▼ -1.5%

Flush Toilet %

93.4%

This municipality

94.5%

Provincial avg

▼ -1.1%

vs Largest in Western Cape (George)

Population

4 772 846

This municipality

294 929

George

▲ +4 477 917

Pop. Density /km²

1955.6

This municipality

56.8

George

▲ +1898.8

Avg Household Size

3.3

This municipality

3.4

George

Same

Formal Dwelling %

87.5%

This municipality

87.3%

George

▲ +0.2%

Electricity Access %

64.4%

This municipality

61.6%

George

▲ +2.8%

Flush Toilet %

93.4%

This municipality

93.4%

George

Same

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +2.4% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (87.5%) is 2.2 percentage points below the provincial average.

Population density (1955.6 /km²) is well above the national municipal average of 117.7 /km².

Related Municipalities

Other municipalities in Western Cape with similar population size.

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