The Msunduzi

Cat B · Local

KwaZulu-Natal · MIIF B1 · KZN225

The Msunduzi is a Category B local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Stats SA code KZN225). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 817 725 — the 2nd most populous of 44 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 2.7% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 90.5% of households live in formal dwellings; 63.0% have access to a flush toilet; 77.5% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 751 km² at a density of 1088.7 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)817 725Census 2022

Population (2011)621 715Boundary-aligned

Population Growth2.7%2011–2022

Male Population390 3082022

Female Population427 4172022

Sex Ratio91.3Males per 100 females

Population Density1 088,7 /km²751 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years23.5%Census 2022

15–34 years35.8%Census 2022

35–59 years30.5%Census 2022

60+ years10.2%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households213 727Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.8Persons per household

Formal Dwellings193 48290.5%

Informal Dwellings10 2684.8%

Traditional Dwellings9 4624.4%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access63.0%134 595 households

No Toilet Access0.6%1 318 households

Electricity for Cooking77.5%165 375 households

Water Scheme Access91.0%194 535 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)177 803Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)161 941Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

817 725

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▲ +526 516

Pop. Density /km²

1088.7

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▲ +971.0

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

90.5%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +3.5%

Electricity Access %

77.5%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +11.5%

Flush Toilet %

63.0%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +1.0%

vs KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Average

Population

817 725

This municipality

282 362

Provincial avg

▲ +535 363

Pop. Density /km²

1088.7

This municipality

161.1

Provincial avg

▲ +927.6

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

5.0

Provincial avg

▼ -1.2

Formal Dwelling %

90.5%

This municipality

81.7%

Provincial avg

▲ +8.8%

Electricity Access %

77.5%

This municipality

67.0%

Provincial avg

▲ +10.5%

Flush Toilet %

63.0%

This municipality

38.4%

Provincial avg

▲ +24.6%

vs Largest in KwaZulu-Natal (eThekwini)

Population

817 725

This municipality

4 239 901

eThekwini

▼ -3 422 176

Pop. Density /km²

1088.7

This municipality

1658.9

eThekwini

▼ -570.2

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.8

eThekwini

Same

Formal Dwelling %

90.5%

This municipality

89.2%

eThekwini

▲ +1.3%

Electricity Access %

77.5%

This municipality

75.6%

eThekwini

▲ +1.9%

Flush Toilet %

63.0%

This municipality

80.4%

eThekwini

▼ -17.4%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +2.7% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (90.5%) is 8.8 percentage points above the provincial average.

Population density (1088.7 /km²) is well above the national municipal average of 117.7 /km².

Flush toilet access (63.0%) is 24.6 percentage points above the provincial average.

Related Municipalities

Other municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal with similar population size.

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