Tswelopele

Cat B · Local

Free State · MIIF B3 · FS183

Tswelopele is a Category B local municipality in Free State, South Africa (Stats SA code FS183). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 56 896 — the 13th most populous of 19 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 1.7% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 85.2% of households live in formal dwellings; 83.2% have access to a flush toilet; 80.9% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 6 534 km² at a density of 8.7 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)56 896Census 2022

Population (2011)47 625Boundary-aligned

Population Growth1.7%2011–2022

Male Population27 4282022

Female Population29 4682022

Sex Ratio93.1Males per 100 females

Population Density8,7 /km²6 534 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years30.1%Census 2022

15–34 years34.1%Census 2022

35–59 years26.7%Census 2022

60+ years9.1%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households14 798Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.8Persons per household

Formal Dwellings12 61385.2%

Informal Dwellings1 98413.4%

Traditional Dwellings1110.8%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access83.2%12 313 households

No Toilet Access2.7%393 households

Electricity for Cooking80.9%11 941 households

Water Scheme Access84.9%12 558 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)15 704Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)13 031Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

56 896

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▼ -234 313

Pop. Density /km²

8.7

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -109.0

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

85.2%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▼ -1.8%

Electricity Access %

80.9%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +14.9%

Flush Toilet %

83.2%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +21.2%

vs Free State Provincial Average

Population

56 896

This municipality

156 022

Provincial avg

▼ -99 126

Pop. Density /km²

8.7

This municipality

28.1

Provincial avg

▼ -19.4

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.5

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

85.2%

This municipality

87.9%

Provincial avg

▼ -2.7%

Electricity Access %

80.9%

This municipality

76.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +4.0%

Flush Toilet %

83.2%

This municipality

82.0%

Provincial avg

▲ +1.2%

vs Largest in Free State (Mangaung)

Population

56 896

This municipality

811 431

Mangaung

▼ -754 535

Pop. Density /km²

8.7

This municipality

82.1

Mangaung

▼ -73.4

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.5

Mangaung

Same

Formal Dwelling %

85.2%

This municipality

90.1%

Mangaung

▼ -4.9%

Electricity Access %

80.9%

This municipality

81.7%

Mangaung

▼ -0.8%

Flush Toilet %

83.2%

This municipality

71.0%

Mangaung

▲ +12.2%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +1.7% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (85.2%) is 2.7 percentage points below the provincial average.

Population density (8.7 /km²) is significantly below the national municipal average of 117.7 /km².

Related Municipalities

Other municipalities in Free State with similar population size.

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