Beaufort West

Cat B · Local

Western Cape · MIIF B3 · WC053

Beaufort West is a Category B local municipality in Western Cape, South Africa (Stats SA code WC053). The 2022 Census recorded a population of 72 972 — the 15th most populous of 25 municipalities in the province. Population grew by 3.8% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses (boundary-aligned figures). On basic services: 99.4% of households live in formal dwellings; 98.0% have access to a flush toilet; 80.0% use electricity for cooking. The municipal area covers 21 917 km² at a density of 3.3 people per km². All figures below are from Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Fact Sheets.

Demographics

Population (2022)72 972Census 2022

Population (2011)49 586Boundary-aligned

Population Growth3.8%2011–2022

Male Population34 8532022

Female Population38 1192022

Sex Ratio91.4Males per 100 females

Population Density3,3 /km²21 917 km² total area

Age Structure

0–14 years27.7%Census 2022

15–34 years33.0%Census 2022

35–59 years29.0%Census 2022

60+ years10.3%Census 2022

Age distribution (% of population)

Housing

Total Households19 216Census 2022

Avg Household Size3.8Persons per household

Formal Dwellings19 10499.4%

Informal Dwellings700.4%

Traditional Dwellings350.2%

Dwelling type composition

Basic Services

Flush Toilet Access98.0%18 826 households

No Toilet Access0.7%137 households

Electricity for Cooking80.0%15 323 households

Water Scheme Access91.3%17 548 households

Services coverage (% of households)

Education

School Attendance (ages 5–24)17 184Persons attending school, 2022

School Attendance (2011)11 860Boundary-aligned

Comparisons

vs National Average

Population

72 972

This municipality

291 209

National avg

▼ -218 237

Pop. Density /km²

3.3

This municipality

117.7

National avg

▼ -114.4

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.9

National avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

99.4%

This municipality

87.0%

National avg

▲ +12.4%

Electricity Access %

80.0%

This municipality

66.0%

National avg

▲ +14.0%

Flush Toilet %

98.0%

This municipality

62.0%

National avg

▲ +36.0%

vs Western Cape Provincial Average

Population

72 972

This municipality

297 321

Provincial avg

▼ -224 349

Pop. Density /km²

3.3

This municipality

122.7

Provincial avg

▼ -119.4

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.3

Provincial avg

Same

Formal Dwelling %

99.4%

This municipality

89.7%

Provincial avg

▲ +9.7%

Electricity Access %

80.0%

This municipality

65.9%

Provincial avg

▲ +14.1%

Flush Toilet %

98.0%

This municipality

94.5%

Provincial avg

▲ +3.5%

vs Largest in Western Cape (City of Cape Town)

Population

72 972

This municipality

4 772 846

City of Cape Town

▼ -4 699 874

Pop. Density /km²

3.3

This municipality

1955.6

City of Cape Town

▼ -1952.3

Avg Household Size

3.8

This municipality

3.3

City of Cape Town

▲ +0.5

Formal Dwelling %

99.4%

This municipality

87.5%

City of Cape Town

▲ +11.9%

Electricity Access %

80.0%

This municipality

64.4%

City of Cape Town

▲ +15.6%

Flush Toilet %

98.0%

This municipality

93.4%

City of Cape Town

▲ +4.6%

Municipality Insights

Population grew by +3.8% between 2011 and 2022.

Formal housing (99.4%) is 9.7 percentage points above the provincial average.

Population density (3.3 /km²) is significantly below the national municipal average of 117.7 /km².

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.