Setsoto

Cat B · Local

Free State · MIIF B3 · FS191

Setsoto is a Category B local municipality in Free State, South Africa (Stats SA code FS191). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 127 918 — the 8th most populous of 19 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 1.3% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 83.3% of households live in formal dwellings; 78.3% have access to a flush toilet; 78.7% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 5 431 km² at a density of 23.6 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)127 918Census 2022

Population (2011)112 038Boundary-aligned

Population Growth1.3%2011–2022

Male Population59 9482022

Female Population67 9702022

Sex Ratio88.2Males per 100 females

Population Density23,6 /km²5 431 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years29.0%Census 2022

15–34 years32.4%Census 2022

35–59 years28.4%Census 2022

60+ years10.3%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households36 471Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.5Persons per household

Formal Dwellings30 36983.3%

Informal Dwellings5 45214.9%

Traditional Dwellings3491.0%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access78.3%28 567 households

No Toilet Access1.6%596 households

Electricity for Cooking78.7%28 641 households

Water Scheme Access91.1%33 207 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)34 689Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)32 339Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

127 918

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▼ -163 291

Pop. Density /km²

23.6

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -94.1

Avg Household Size

3.5

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

83.3%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▼ -3.7%

Electricity Access %

78.7%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +12.7%

Flush Toilet %

78.3%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +16.3%

vs Free State Provincial Average

Population

127 918

This municipality

156 022

Provincial avg

▼ -28 104

Pop. Density /km²

23.6

This municipality

28.1

Provincial avg

▼ -4.5

Avg Household Size

3.5

This municipality

3.5

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

83.3%

This municipality

87.9%

Provincial avg

▼ -4.6%

Electricity Access %

78.7%

This municipality

76.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +1.8%

Flush Toilet %

78.3%

This municipality

82.0%

Provincial avg

▼ -3.7%

vs Largest in Free State (Mangaung)

Population

127 918

This municipality

811 431

Mangaung

▼ -683 513

Pop. Density /km²

23.6

This municipality

82.1

Mangaung

▼ -58.5

Avg Household Size

3.5

This municipality

3.5

Mangaung

Same

Formal Dwelling %

83.3%

This municipality

90.1%

Mangaung

▼ -6.8%

Electricity Access %

78.7%

This municipality

81.7%

Mangaung

▼ -3.0%

Flush Toilet %

78.3%

This municipality

71.0%

Mangaung

▲ +7.3%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +1.3% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (83.3%) is 4.6 percentage points below the provincial average.

Population density (23.6 /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.