Newcastle

Cat B · Local

KwaZulu-Natal · MIIF B1 · KZN252

Newcastle is a Category B local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Stats SA code KZN252). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 507 710 — the 3rd most populous of 44 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 3.3% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 96.0% of households live in formal dwellings; 75.6% have access to a flush toilet; 79.7% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 1 856 km² at a density of 273.6 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)507 710Census 2022

Population (2011)363 236Boundary-aligned

Population Growth3.3%2011–2022

Male Population243 4342022

Female Population264 2762022

Sex Ratio92.1Males per 100 females

Population Density273,6 /km²1 856 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years27.8%Census 2022

15–34 years37.0%Census 2022

35–59 years26.2%Census 2022

60+ years9.0%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households116 763Census 2022

Avg Household Size4.3Persons per household

Formal Dwellings112 12296.0%

Informal Dwellings1 9581.7%

Traditional Dwellings2 5032.1%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access75.6%88 285 households

No Toilet Access1.5%1 780 households

Electricity for Cooking79.7%92 899 households

Water Scheme Access93.3%108 894 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)138 539Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)116 909Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

507 710

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▲ +216 501

Pop. Density /km²

273.6

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▲ +155.9

Avg Household Size

4.3

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

96.0%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +9.0%

Electricity Access %

79.7%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +13.7%

Flush Toilet %

75.6%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +13.6%

vs KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Average

Population

507 710

This municipality

282 362

Provincial avg

▲ +225 348

Pop. Density /km²

273.6

This municipality

161.1

Provincial avg

▲ +112.5

Avg Household Size

4.3

This municipality

5.0

Provincial avg

▼ -0.7

Formal Dwelling %

96.0%

This municipality

81.7%

Provincial avg

▲ +14.3%

Electricity Access %

79.7%

This municipality

67.0%

Provincial avg

▲ +12.7%

Flush Toilet %

75.6%

This municipality

38.4%

Provincial avg

▲ +37.1%

vs Largest in KwaZulu-Natal (eThekwini)

Population

507 710

This municipality

4 239 901

eThekwini

▼ -3 732 191

Pop. Density /km²

273.6

This municipality

1658.9

eThekwini

▼ -1385.3

Avg Household Size

4.3

This municipality

3.8

eThekwini

▲ +0.5

Formal Dwelling %

96.0%

This municipality

89.2%

eThekwini

▲ +6.8%

Electricity Access %

79.7%

This municipality

75.6%

eThekwini

▲ +4.1%

Flush Toilet %

75.6%

This municipality

80.4%

eThekwini

▼ -4.8%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +3.3% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (96.0%) is 14.3 percentage points above the provincial average.

Population density (273.6 /km²) is well above the national municipal average of 117.7 /km².

Flush toilet access (75.6%) is 37.1 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.