Polokwane

Cat B · Local

Limpopo · MIIF B1 · LIM354

Polokwane is a Category B local municipality in Limpopo, South Africa (Stats SA code LIM354). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 843 459 — the 1st most populous of 22 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 1.4% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 95.0% of households live in formal dwellings; 48.3% have access to a flush toilet; 68.8% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 5 054 km² at a density of 166.9 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)843 459Census 2022

Population (2011)728 633Boundary-aligned

Population Growth1.4%2011–2022

Male Population406 9452022

Female Population436 5142022

Sex Ratio93.2Males per 100 females

Population Density166,9 /km²5 054 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years28.1%Census 2022

15–34 years34.7%Census 2022

35–59 years27.0%Census 2022

60+ years10.1%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households249 443Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.4Persons per household

Formal Dwellings236 94195.0%

Informal Dwellings8 6133.5%

Traditional Dwellings3 1401.3%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access48.3%120 397 households

No Toilet Access1.3%3 284 households

Electricity for Cooking68.8%171 359 households

Water Scheme Access75.1%187 267 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)224 479Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)235 009Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

843 459

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▲ +552 250

Pop. Density /km²

166.9

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▲ +49.2

Avg Household Size

3.4

This municipality

3.9

National avg

▼ -0.5

Formal Dwelling %

95.0%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +8.0%

Electricity Access %

68.8%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +2.8%

Flush Toilet %

48.3%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▼ -13.7%

vs Limpopo Provincial Average

Population

843 459

This municipality

298 760

Provincial avg

▲ +544 699

Pop. Density /km²

166.9

This municipality

74.7

Provincial avg

▲ +92.2

Avg Household Size

3.4

This municipality

3.5

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

95.0%

This municipality

93.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +1.1%

Electricity Access %

68.8%

This municipality

48.1%

Provincial avg

▲ +20.7%

Flush Toilet %

48.3%

This municipality

38.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +9.4%

vs Largest in Limpopo (Fetakgomo Tubatse)

Population

843 459

This municipality

575 960

Fetakgomo Tubatse

▲ +267 499

Pop. Density /km²

166.9

This municipality

101.2

Fetakgomo Tubatse

▲ +65.7

Avg Household Size

3.4

This municipality

3.9

Fetakgomo Tubatse

▼ -0.5

Formal Dwelling %

95.0%

This municipality

94.6%

Fetakgomo Tubatse

▲ +0.4%

Electricity Access %

68.8%

This municipality

57.2%

Fetakgomo Tubatse

▲ +11.6%

Flush Toilet %

48.3%

This municipality

23.7%

Fetakgomo Tubatse

▲ +24.6%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +1.4% between 2011 and 2022.

Flush toilet access (48.3%) is 9.4 percentage points above the provincial average.

Related Municipalities

Other municipalities in Limpopo with similar population size.

Fetakgomo TubatseCat B

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