uMhlathuze

Cat B · Local

KwaZulu-Natal · MIIF B1 · KZN282

uMhlathuze is a Category B local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Stats SA code KZN282). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 412 075 — the 5th most populous of 44 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 1.0% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 97.0% of households live in formal dwellings; 62.5% have access to a flush toilet; 77.1% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 1 233 km² at a density of 334.2 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)412 075Census 2022

Population (2011)370 256Boundary-aligned

Population Growth1.0%2011–2022

Male Population199 9072022

Female Population212 1682022

Sex Ratio94.2Males per 100 females

Population Density334,2 /km²1 233 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years25.9%Census 2022

15–34 years36.9%Census 2022

35–59 years29.6%Census 2022

60+ years7.6%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households100 441Census 2022

Avg Household Size4.1Persons per household

Formal Dwellings97 41797.0%

Informal Dwellings7780.8%

Traditional Dwellings2 0092.0%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access62.5%62 799 households

No Toilet Access0.7%661 households

Electricity for Cooking77.1%77 342 households

Water Scheme Access88.6%89 029 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)99 060Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)106 532Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

412 075

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▲ +120 866

Pop. Density /km²

334.2

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▲ +216.5

Avg Household Size

4.1

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

97.0%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +10.0%

Electricity Access %

77.1%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +11.1%

Flush Toilet %

62.5%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +0.5%

vs KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Average

Population

412 075

This municipality

282 362

Provincial avg

▲ +129 713

Pop. Density /km²

334.2

This municipality

161.1

Provincial avg

▲ +173.1

Avg Household Size

4.1

This municipality

5.0

Provincial avg

▼ -0.9

Formal Dwelling %

97.0%

This municipality

81.7%

Provincial avg

▲ +15.3%

Electricity Access %

77.1%

This municipality

67.0%

Provincial avg

▲ +10.1%

Flush Toilet %

62.5%

This municipality

38.4%

Provincial avg

▲ +24.1%

vs Largest in KwaZulu-Natal (eThekwini)

Population

412 075

This municipality

4 239 901

eThekwini

▼ -3 827 826

Pop. Density /km²

334.2

This municipality

1658.9

eThekwini

▼ -1324.7

Avg Household Size

4.1

This municipality

3.8

eThekwini

Same

Formal Dwelling %

97.0%

This municipality

89.2%

eThekwini

▲ +7.8%

Electricity Access %

77.1%

This municipality

75.6%

eThekwini

▲ +1.5%

Flush Toilet %

62.5%

This municipality

80.4%

eThekwini

▼ -17.9%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +1.0% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (97.0%) is 15.3 percentage points above the provincial average.

Population density (334.2 /km²) is well above the national municipal average of 117.7 /km².

Flush toilet access (62.5%) is 24.1 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.