Umzimkhulu

Cat B · Local

KwaZulu-Natal · MIIF B4 · KZN435

Umzimkhulu is a Category B local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Stats SA code KZN435). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 220 620 — the 13th most populous of 44 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 2.0% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 56.7% of households live in formal dwellings; 24.8% have access to a flush toilet; 63.4% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 2 436 km² at a density of 90.6 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)220 620Census 2022

Population (2011)180 302Boundary-aligned

Population Growth2.0%2011–2022

Male Population101 4162022

Female Population119 2032022

Sex Ratio85.1Males per 100 females

Population Density90,6 /km²2 436 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years36.4%Census 2022

15–34 years33.0%Census 2022

35–59 years21.2%Census 2022

60+ years9.5%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households40 064Census 2022

Avg Household Size5.5Persons per household

Formal Dwellings22 72356.7%

Informal Dwellings2640.7%

Traditional Dwellings16 89642.2%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access24.8%9 940 households

No Toilet Access4.1%1 629 households

Electricity for Cooking63.4%25 357 households

Water Scheme Access40.3%16 133 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)73 865Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)68 486Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

220 620

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▼ -70 589

Pop. Density /km²

90.6

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -27.1

Avg Household Size

5.5

This municipality

3.9

National avg

▲ +1.6

Formal Dwelling %

56.7%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▼ -30.3%

Electricity Access %

63.4%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▼ -2.6%

Flush Toilet %

24.8%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▼ -37.2%

vs KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Average

Population

220 620

This municipality

282 362

Provincial avg

▼ -61 742

Pop. Density /km²

90.6

This municipality

161.1

Provincial avg

▼ -70.5

Avg Household Size

5.5

This municipality

5.0

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

56.7%

This municipality

81.7%

Provincial avg

▼ -25.0%

Electricity Access %

63.4%

This municipality

67.0%

Provincial avg

▼ -3.6%

Flush Toilet %

24.8%

This municipality

38.4%

Provincial avg

▼ -13.6%

vs Largest in KwaZulu-Natal (eThekwini)

Population

220 620

This municipality

4 239 901

eThekwini

▼ -4 019 281

Pop. Density /km²

90.6

This municipality

1658.9

eThekwini

▼ -1568.3

Avg Household Size

5.5

This municipality

3.8

eThekwini

▲ +1.7

Formal Dwelling %

56.7%

This municipality

89.2%

eThekwini

▼ -32.5%

Electricity Access %

63.4%

This municipality

75.6%

eThekwini

▼ -12.2%

Flush Toilet %

24.8%

This municipality

80.4%

eThekwini

▼ -55.6%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +2.0% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (56.7%) is 25.0 percentage points below the provincial average.

Flush toilet access (24.8%) is 13.6 percentage points below 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.