Bitou

Cat B · Local

Western Cape · MIIF B3 · WC047

Bitou is a Category B local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa (Stats SA code WC047). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 65 240 — the 19th most populous of 25 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 2.7% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 85.4% of households live in formal dwellings; 97.3% have access to a flush toilet; 68.5% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 992 km² at a density of 65.8 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)65 240Census 2022

Population (2011)49 162Boundary-aligned

Population Growth2.7%2011–2022

Male Population31 6502022

Female Population33 5892022

Sex Ratio94.2Males per 100 females

Population Density65,8 /km²992 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years22.5%Census 2022

15–34 years32.3%Census 2022

35–59 years33.0%Census 2022

60+ years12.2%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households21 848Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.0Persons per household

Formal Dwellings18 65185.4%

Informal Dwellings3 04914.0%

Traditional Dwellings980.4%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access97.3%21 262 households

No Toilet Access0.4%78 households

Electricity for Cooking68.5%14 954 households

Water Scheme Access96.3%21 045 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)12 640Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)9 491Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

65 240

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▼ -225 969

Pop. Density /km²

65.8

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -51.9

Avg Household Size

3.0

This municipality

3.9

National avg

▼ -0.9

Formal Dwelling %

85.4%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▼ -1.6%

Electricity Access %

68.5%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +2.5%

Flush Toilet %

97.3%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +35.3%

vs Western Cape Provincial Average

Population

65 240

This municipality

297 321

Provincial avg

▼ -232 081

Pop. Density /km²

65.8

This municipality

122.7

Provincial avg

▼ -56.9

Avg Household Size

3.0

This municipality

3.3

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

85.4%

This municipality

89.7%

Provincial avg

▼ -4.3%

Electricity Access %

68.5%

This municipality

65.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +2.6%

Flush Toilet %

97.3%

This municipality

94.5%

Provincial avg

▲ +2.8%

vs Largest in Western Cape (City of Cape Town)

Population

65 240

This municipality

4 772 846

City of Cape Town

▼ -4 707 606

Pop. Density /km²

65.8

This municipality

1955.6

City of Cape Town

▼ -1889.8

Avg Household Size

3.0

This municipality

3.3

City of Cape Town

Same

Formal Dwelling %

85.4%

This municipality

87.5%

City of Cape Town

▼ -2.1%

Electricity Access %

68.5%

This municipality

64.4%

City of Cape Town

▲ +4.1%

Flush Toilet %

97.3%

This municipality

93.4%

City of Cape Town

▲ +3.9%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +2.7% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (85.4%) is 4.3 percentage points below the provincial average.

Related Municipalities

Other municipalities in Western Cape with similar population size.

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