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Dowa, Malawi

Central Region · Malawi

Dowa is a small city in Central Region, Malawi with a population of 8,047. Elevation: 4,465 ft (1,361 m). Average temperature: 66°F (19°C).

Data updated June 2026

8,047 Population 5/sq mi density
4,465 ft Elevation 1,361 meters
66°F Avg Temperature 19°C
35.6 in Annual Rain
Africa / Blantyre Timezone

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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 Dowa

Dowa is a town located in the Central Region of Malawi. It is the administrative capital of Dowa District. William Kamkwamba, author of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope, was born and raised in Dowa.

People

Population8,047
Density5/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp66°F (19°C)
Rain35.6 in/yr
Sunny Days271/yr
Elevation4,465 ft (1,361 m)
Population8,047
Population Density5 / sq mi
Elevation4,465 ft (1,361 m)
Coordinates-13.6540°, 33.9375°
TimezoneAfrica/Blantyre
Country🇲🇼 Malawi
State / ProvinceCentral Region
Average Temperature66°F (19°C)
January Average68°F (20°C)
July Average59°F (15°C)
Annual Precipitation35.6 inches (905 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Dowa

Dowa is a small city in Malawi (Central Region) with a population of 8,047. The city sits at an elevation of 4,465 feet (1,361 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 66°F (19°C). Temperatures range from 68°F in January to 59°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 35.6 inches. The timezone is Africa/Blantyre.

Climate in Dowa

Dowa has an average annual temperature of 0°C (32°F). The hottest month is Jan (0°C), the coldest is Jan (0°C). Average annual precipitation is 853 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C / 32°F - / - 224.7
Feb 0°C / 32°F - / - 182.4
Mar 0°C / 32°F - / - 127.9
Apr 0°C / 32°F - / - 62.3
May 0°C / 32°F - / - 2.1
Jun 0°C / 32°F - / - 1.3
Jul 0°C / 32°F - / - 0.8
Aug 0°C / 32°F - / - 2.2
Sep 0°C / 32°F - / - 2.5
Oct 0°C / 32°F - / - 7.5
Nov 0°C / 32°F - / - 59.3
Dec 0°C / 32°F - / - 180.3
Dowa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 68°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 271 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 35.6 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 4,465 feet.

Temperature

68°F Jan (20°C) 59°F Jul (15°C)
Annual Average65.7°F
22% above Malawi avg
January Average68°F (20°C)
July Average59°F (15°C)
Sunny Days271 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,465 ft (1,361 m)
Area1,672.6 sq mi (4,332.1 km²)
Population Density5/sq mi
Coordinates-13.6540°N, 33.9375°W
TimezoneAfrica/Blantyre

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 35.6"
6% below Malawi avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 9.61"
Driest Month (Aug) 0.04"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

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

Jul 22, 1995 16 km NW of Monkey Bay, Malawi M5.1 101 km
Feb 28, 1990 34 km E of Lilongwe, Malawi M5.1 40 km
Feb 28, 1990 25 km SSE of Dowa, Malawi M4.9 26 km
Mar 1, 1990 33 km W of Chipoka, Malawi M4.9 49 km
Apr 12, 2007 29 km N of Monkey Bay, Malawi M4.8 105 km
Aug 24, 1998 29 km E of Salima, Malawi M4.8 87 km
Feb 28, 1990 1 km NNW of Dowa, Malawi M4.7 1 km
Jan 12, 2010 7 km SE of Salima, Malawi M4.7 64 km
Apr 23, 2018 54 km N of Nkhotakota, Malawi M4.7 143 km
Sep 30, 1995 7 km SW of Salima, Malawi M4.6 54 km
Apr 4, 1993 10 km S of Salima, Malawi M4.6 62 km
May 31, 1996 10 km WNW of Salima, Malawi M4.6 48 km
Jul 6, 2025 13 km NE of Chipoka, Malawi M4.6 78 km
Jan 30, 2025 35 km S of Monkey Bay, Malawi M4.5 132 km
Jan 7, 2022 18 km WNW of Monkey Bay, Malawi M4.5 98 km
Oct 8, 2016 27 km N of Salima, Malawi M4.4 54 km
Aug 15, 2015 24 km ENE of Salima, Malawi M4.4 78 km
Oct 1, 2000 14 km NW of Salima, Malawi M4.2 45 km
Feb 24, 1993 32 km NE of Salima, Malawi M4.0 83 km
Apr 9, 2000 43 km SSW of Monkey Bay, Malawi M3.9 123 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 68°F (20°C) 9.6 in Wettest
February 68°F (20°C) 7.9 in
March 67°F (20°C) 6.3 in
April 66°F (19°C) 1.6 in
May 63°F (17°C) 0.3 in
June 60°F (15°C) 0.1 in
July 59°F (15°C) 0.1 in Coldest
August 61°F (16°C) 0.0 in Driest
September 67°F (19°C) 0.0 in
October 70°F (21°C) 0.3 in
November 71°F (21°C) 2.3 in Warmest
December 70°F (21°C) 7.1 in

Dowa has a seasonal temperature swing of 12°F / from 59°F in July to 71°F in November. Total annual precipitation is 35.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (9.6") and August the driest (0.0").

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Schools in Dowa

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Sangomalamu Private School - - - -
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Radio Stations near Dowa

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Timveni Radio - MP3

Libraries in Dowa

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Library0.0
Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Dowa

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Chidothi Market
Dowa Town Market
Dzaleka Market
Market
Nsungwi Market

Hotels in Dowa

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Beauty Menerbien Lodge

Restaurants in Dowa

1 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

House of Blues

Clinics in Dowa

4 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Dzaleka Healthcare Center
El Rapha Kalombo Pvt Clinic
Hope Family Clinic
Kids Living With Disability

Train Stations in Dowa

1 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Mankhanga

Gas Stations in Dowa

2 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Meru
MW #5276596728

Airports Near Dowa

7 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Kamuzu International AirportLLWLarge Airport
Kasungu AirportKBQSmall Airport
Mponongo Airstrip-Small Airport
Mtakatata Airport-Small Airport
Ntchisi Airport-Small Airport
Old Lilongwe Airport-Small Airport
Salima AirportLMBSmall Airport

Explore Near Dowa

Meteorites
1
Confirmed meteorite landing sites recorded in NASA meteorite catalog
View all →

Quick Facts

Timezone
Africa/Blantyre
Elevation
1,361 m (4,465 ft)

🇲🇼 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 Dowa

What is the population of Dowa?

Dowa has a population of 8,047 residents and is located in Malawi. The population density is 5 people per square mile, spread across 1,672.6 square miles.

What is the weather like in Dowa?

Dowa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winter temperatures average 68°F in January, while summers reach an average of 59°F in July. The area receives 271 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 35.6 inches.

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