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Balaka, Malawi

Southern Region · Malawi

Balaka is a mid-size city in Southern Region, Malawi with a population of 40,950. Elevation: 2,077 ft (633 m). Average temperature: 73°F (23°C).

Data updated June 2026

40,950 Population 10,037/sq mi density
2,077 ft Elevation 633 meters
73°F Avg Temperature 23°C
40.0 in Annual Rain
Africa / Blantyre Timezone

Discover Balaka, Malawi

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About Balaka

Balaka is a township in Southern Region, Malawi and headquarters for the Balaka District. The township was formerly a boma of Machinga District, before the Balaka District was created in 1998.

People

Population40,950
Density10,037/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp73°F (23°C)
Rain40.0 in/yr
Sunny Days263/yr
Elevation2,077 ft (633 m)
Population40,950
Population Density10,037 / sq mi
Elevation2,077 ft (633 m)
Coordinates-14.9793°, 34.9558°
TimezoneAfrica/Blantyre
Country🇲🇼 Malawi
State / ProvinceSouthern Region
Average Temperature73°F (23°C)
January Average75°F (24°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Annual Precipitation40.0 inches (1,017 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Balaka

Balaka is a mid-size city in Malawi (Southern Region) with a population of 40,950. The city sits at an elevation of 2,077 feet (633 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 73°F (23°C). Temperatures range from 75°F in January to 66°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 40.0 inches. The timezone is Africa/Blantyre.

Climate in Balaka

Balaka has an average annual temperature of 22.4°C (72°F). The hottest month is Nov (27.2°C), the coldest is Jul (17.8°C). Average annual precipitation is 1700 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 23.4°C / 74°F 17.3° / 29.7° 493.8
Feb 23.5°C / 74°F 17.6° / 30.1° 388.5
Mar 22.6°C / 73°F 15.9° / 29.2° 238.5
Apr 21.5°C / 71°F 13.9° / 28.8° 59.9
May 19.2°C / 66°F 11.2° / 27.8° 10.3
Jun 18°C / 64°F 9.8° / 27.7° 24.7
Jul 17.8°C / 64°F 9.6° / 28.6° 11.8
Aug 20.5°C / 69°F 10.7° / 32.2° 12.1
Sep 23.5°C / 74°F 12° / 35.4° 4.2
Oct 26.6°C / 80°F 15.4° / 38.2° 29.5
Nov 27.2°C / 81°F 17.8° / 38.2° 101.5
Dec 25.7°C / 78°F 18° / 34.9° 324.8
Balaka has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winters average 75°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 263 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 40.0 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 2,077 feet.

Temperature

75°F Jan (24°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average72.9°F
35% above Malawi avg
January Average75°F (24°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days263 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,077 ft (633 m)
Area4.1 sq mi (10.6 km²)
Population Density10,037/sq mi
Coordinates-14.9793°N, 34.9558°W
TimezoneAfrica/Blantyre

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.0"
5% above Malawi avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 9.29"
Driest Month (May) 0.39"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

19 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.1. Most recent: M4.6 on Jul 6, 2025.

Feb 28, 1990 34 km E of Lilongwe, Malawi M5.1 145 km
Jul 22, 1995 16 km NW of Monkey Bay, Malawi M5.1 114 km
Mar 1, 1990 33 km W of Chipoka, Malawi M4.9 135 km
Aug 24, 1998 29 km E of Salima, Malawi M4.8 134 km
Apr 12, 2007 29 km N of Monkey Bay, Malawi M4.8 129 km
Aug 30, 1996 59 km WNW of Mwanza, Malawi M4.7 108 km
Jan 12, 2010 7 km SE of Salima, Malawi M4.7 136 km
May 31, 1996 10 km WNW of Salima, Malawi M4.6 150 km
Sep 30, 1995 7 km SW of Salima, Malawi M4.6 141 km
Apr 4, 1993 10 km S of Salima, Malawi M4.6 134 km
Jul 6, 2025 13 km NE of Chipoka, Malawi M4.6 124 km
Jan 3, 1998 2 km SE of Blantyre, Malawi M4.6 91 km
Jan 7, 2022 18 km WNW of Monkey Bay, Malawi M4.5 109 km
Jan 30, 2025 35 km S of Monkey Bay, Malawi M4.5 64 km
Aug 15, 2015 24 km ENE of Salima, Malawi M4.4 149 km
Jun 14, 2012 6 km WNW of Zomba, Malawi M4.3 54 km
Jan 29, 2005 10 km WSW of Zomba, Malawi M4.0 58 km
Apr 9, 2000 43 km SSW of Monkey Bay, Malawi M3.9 65 km
May 5, 2022 72 km SW of Dedza, Malawi M3.9 118 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 75°F (24°C) 9.3 in Wettest
February 75°F (24°C) 6.8 in
March 75°F (24°C) 5.6 in
April 73°F (23°C) 1.7 in
May 70°F (21°C) 0.4 in Driest
June 66°F (19°C) 0.9 in
July 66°F (19°C) 0.9 in Coldest
August 69°F (20°C) 2.4 in
September 74°F (23°C) 1.9 in
October 78°F (26°C) 0.8 in
November 79°F (26°C) 2.6 in Warmest
December 77°F (25°C) 6.9 in

Balaka has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 66°F in July to 79°F in November. Total annual precipitation is 40.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.3") and May the driest (0.4").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Balaka

Institution Type Founded Website
ANDIAMO EDUCATION INSTITUTE (Technical College) College - ,

Schools in Balaka

4 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Mponda Primary School - - - -
St. Louis Community Day Seco. School - - - -
ANDIAMO EDUCATION INSTITUTE (Secondary School) - - - -
Andiaomo Music School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Balaka

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Libraries in Balaka

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Balaka National Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Balaka

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Balaka
Balaka Market
Chingeni
Kampepuza
Liwonde
Manjawira
Nsipe

Hotels in Balaka

2 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Chiyembekezo Motel
Zembani Lodge

Restaurants in Balaka

2 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Gate Way
GRAZIA RESTAURANT

Cafes in Balaka

1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Arthouse

Clinics in Balaka

1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Makunganya Clinic

Dentists in Balaka

1 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

DENTAL

Train Stations in Balaka

2 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Balaka
Nkaya

Bus Stations in Balaka

1 bus stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Balaka Bus Depot

Gas Stations in Balaka

4 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Balaka Filling Station
Balaka Filling Station
Meru
Petroda

Airports Near Balaka

6 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Chileka International AirportBLZLarge Airport
Club Makokola AirportCMKSmall Airport
Mandimba Airport-Small Airport
Mvuu Camp AirportVUUSmall Airport
Ulongwe Airport-Small Airport
Zomba Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Balaka

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Balaka Post office

Churches & Religious Organizations in Balaka

5 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
BALAKA CCAP NEW CHURCH
Balaka CCAP old Church
Penetecost Church
Saint Andrew Chapel
St. Louis Montfort's Catholic Church

Quick Facts

Timezone
Africa/Blantyre

🇲🇼 About Malawi

Capital Lilongwe
Population 17,563,749
Area 118,480 km²
GDP (USD) $13,363,669,673
GDP per capita $633
HDI 0.508
Life expectancy 67.4 years
Internet users 18.0%
Urban population 17.0%
Currency MWK (Kwacha)
Languages English, Chewa
Calling code +265
TLD .mw
Driving side left

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Frequently Asked Questions About Balaka

What is the population of Balaka?

Balaka has a population of 40,950 residents and is located in Malawi. The population density is 10,037 people per square mile, spread across 4.1 square miles.

What is the weather like in Balaka?

Balaka has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winter temperatures average 75°F in January, while summers reach an average of 66°F in July. The area receives 263 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 40.0 inches.

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