Metsimaholo

Cat B · Local

Free State · MIIF B2 · FS204

Metsimaholo is a Category B local municipality in Free State, South Africa (Stats SA code FS204). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 158 391 — the 4th most populous of 19 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 0.6% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 88.3% of households live in formal dwellings; 83.9% have access to a flush toilet; 64.3% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 1 717 km² at a density of 92.2 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)158 391Census 2022

Population (2011)149 108Boundary-aligned

Population Growth0.6%2011–2022

Male Population77 9922022

Female Population80 3992022

Sex Ratio97.0Males per 100 females

Population Density92,2 /km²1 717 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years25.3%Census 2022

15–34 years33.2%Census 2022

35–59 years31.6%Census 2022

60+ years10.0%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households49 060Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.2Persons per household

Formal Dwellings43 31188.3%

Informal Dwellings5 36410.9%

Traditional Dwellings2150.4%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access83.9%41 184 households

No Toilet Access0.9%459 households

Electricity for Cooking64.3%31 468 households

Water Scheme Access94.2%46 238 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)38 730Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)35 503Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

158 391

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▼ -132 818

Pop. Density /km²

92.2

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -25.5

Avg Household Size

3.2

This municipality

3.9

National avg

▼ -0.7

Formal Dwelling %

88.3%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +1.3%

Electricity Access %

64.3%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▼ -1.7%

Flush Toilet %

83.9%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +21.9%

vs Free State Provincial Average

Population

158 391

This municipality

156 022

Provincial avg

▲ +2 369

Pop. Density /km²

92.2

This municipality

28.1

Provincial avg

▲ +64.1

Avg Household Size

3.2

This municipality

3.5

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

88.3%

This municipality

87.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +0.4%

Electricity Access %

64.3%

This municipality

76.9%

Provincial avg

▼ -12.6%

Flush Toilet %

83.9%

This municipality

82.0%

Provincial avg

▲ +1.9%

vs Largest in Free State (Mangaung)

Population

158 391

This municipality

811 431

Mangaung

▼ -653 040

Pop. Density /km²

92.2

This municipality

82.1

Mangaung

▲ +10.1

Avg Household Size

3.2

This municipality

3.5

Mangaung

Same

Formal Dwelling %

88.3%

This municipality

90.1%

Mangaung

▼ -1.8%

Electricity Access %

64.3%

This municipality

81.7%

Mangaung

▼ -17.4%

Flush Toilet %

83.9%

This municipality

71.0%

Mangaung

▲ +12.9%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +0.6% between 2011 and 2022.

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.