Matjhabeng

Cat B · Local

Free State · MIIF B1 · FS184

Matjhabeng is a Category B local municipality in Free State, South Africa (Stats SA code FS184). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 439 034 — the 2nd most populous of 19 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 0.7% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 88.1% of households live in formal dwellings; 87.1% have access to a flush toilet; 77.4% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 5 690 km² at a density of 77.2 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)439 034Census 2022

Population (2011)407 020Boundary-aligned

Population Growth0.7%2011–2022

Male Population210 4692022

Female Population228 5652022

Sex Ratio92.1Males per 100 females

Population Density77,2 /km²5 690 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years26.8%Census 2022

15–34 years33.5%Census 2022

35–59 years29.5%Census 2022

60+ years10.2%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households126 068Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.5Persons per household

Formal Dwellings111 12588.1%

Informal Dwellings13 98711.1%

Traditional Dwellings4400.3%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access87.1%109 797 households

No Toilet Access1.6%2 031 households

Electricity for Cooking77.4%97 421 households

Water Scheme Access95.2%119 966 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)112 067Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)101 830Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

439 034

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▲ +147 825

Pop. Density /km²

77.2

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -40.5

Avg Household Size

3.5

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

88.1%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +1.1%

Electricity Access %

77.4%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +11.4%

Flush Toilet %

87.1%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +25.1%

vs Free State Provincial Average

Population

439 034

This municipality

156 022

Provincial avg

▲ +283 012

Pop. Density /km²

77.2

This municipality

28.1

Provincial avg

▲ +49.1

Avg Household Size

3.5

This municipality

3.5

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

88.1%

This municipality

87.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +0.2%

Electricity Access %

77.4%

This municipality

76.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +0.5%

Flush Toilet %

87.1%

This municipality

82.0%

Provincial avg

▲ +5.1%

vs Largest in Free State (Mangaung)

Population

439 034

This municipality

811 431

Mangaung

▼ -372 397

Pop. Density /km²

77.2

This municipality

82.1

Mangaung

▼ -4.9

Avg Household Size

3.5

This municipality

3.5

Mangaung

Same

Formal Dwelling %

88.1%

This municipality

90.1%

Mangaung

▼ -2.0%

Electricity Access %

77.4%

This municipality

81.7%

Mangaung

▼ -4.3%

Flush Toilet %

87.1%

This municipality

71.0%

Mangaung

▲ +16.1%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +0.7% between 2011 and 2022.

Flush toilet access (87.1%) is 5.1 percentage points above the provincial average.

Related Municipalities

Other municipalities in Free State with similar population size.

Maluti a PhofungCat B

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