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Beaufort West

Cat B · Local

Western Cape · MIIF B3 · WC053

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.