Mafube

Cat B · Local

Free State · MIIF B3 · FS205

Mafube is a Category B local municipality in Free State, South Africa (Stats SA code FS205). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 61 150 — the 12th most populous of 19 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 0.5% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 84.7% of households live in formal dwellings; 95.4% have access to a flush toilet; 78.4% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 3 977 km² at a density of 15.4 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)61 150Census 2022

Population (2011)57 876Boundary-aligned

Population Growth0.5%2011–2022

Male Population28 7072022

Female Population32 4432022

Sex Ratio88.5Males per 100 females

Population Density15,4 /km²3 977 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years26.0%Census 2022

15–34 years33.3%Census 2022

35–59 years29.3%Census 2022

60+ years11.4%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households16 896Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.6Persons per household

Formal Dwellings14 30384.7%

Informal Dwellings2 35113.9%

Traditional Dwellings2161.3%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access95.4%16 125 households

No Toilet Access0.7%113 households

Electricity for Cooking78.4%13 219 households

Water Scheme Access93.9%15 863 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)15 470Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)16 580Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

61 150

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▼ -230 059

Pop. Density /km²

15.4

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -102.3

Avg Household Size

3.6

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

84.7%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▼ -2.3%

Electricity Access %

78.4%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +12.4%

Flush Toilet %

95.4%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +33.4%

vs Free State Provincial Average

Population

61 150

This municipality

156 022

Provincial avg

▼ -94 872

Pop. Density /km²

15.4

This municipality

28.1

Provincial avg

▼ -12.7

Avg Household Size

3.6

This municipality

3.5

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

84.7%

This municipality

87.9%

Provincial avg

▼ -3.2%

Electricity Access %

78.4%

This municipality

76.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +1.5%

Flush Toilet %

95.4%

This municipality

82.0%

Provincial avg

▲ +13.4%

vs Largest in Free State (Mangaung)

Population

61 150

This municipality

811 431

Mangaung

▼ -750 281

Pop. Density /km²

15.4

This municipality

82.1

Mangaung

▼ -66.7

Avg Household Size

3.6

This municipality

3.5

Mangaung

Same

Formal Dwelling %

84.7%

This municipality

90.1%

Mangaung

▼ -5.4%

Electricity Access %

78.4%

This municipality

81.7%

Mangaung

▼ -3.3%

Flush Toilet %

95.4%

This municipality

71.0%

Mangaung

▲ +24.4%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +0.5% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (84.7%) is 3.2 percentage points below the provincial average.

Population density (15.4 /km²) is significantly below the national municipal average of 117.7 /km².

Flush toilet access (95.4%) is 13.4 percentage points above the provincial average.

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.