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Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal · South Africa

Pietermaritzburg is a major city in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa with a population of 839,327. Elevation: 2,087 ft (636 m). Average temperature: 65°F (19°C).

Data updated June 2026

839,327 Population 17,252/sq mi density
2,087 ft Elevation 636 meters
65°F Avg Temperature 19°C
31.4 in Annual Rain
Africa / Johannesburg Timezone

Discover Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

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.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

About Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second-largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa after Durban. It was named in 1838 and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality.

People

Population839,327
Density17,252/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp65°F (19°C)
Rain31.4 in/yr
Sunny Days296/yr
Elevation2,087 ft (636 m)
Population839,327
Population Density17,252 / sq mi
Elevation2,087 ft (636 m)
Coordinates-29.6168°, 30.3928°
TimezoneAfrica/Johannesburg
Country🇿🇦 South Africa
State / ProvinceKwaZulu-Natal
Average Temperature65°F (19°C)
January Average74°F (23°C)
July Average55°F (13°C)
Annual Precipitation31.4 inches (797 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg is a major city in South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal) with a population of 839,327. The city sits at an elevation of 2,087 feet (636 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 65°F (19°C). Temperatures range from 74°F in January to 55°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 31.4 inches. The timezone is Africa/Johannesburg.

Climate in Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg has an average annual temperature of 16.6°C (62°F). The hottest month is Feb (20.6°C), the coldest is Jul (11.6°C). Average annual precipitation is 867 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 20.5°C / 69°F 15.3° / 25.7° 143.4
Feb 20.6°C / 69°F 15.4° / 25.9° 113.1
Mar 19.8°C / 68°F 13.9° / 25.6° 97.3
Apr 16.9°C / 62°F 10.6° / 23.2° 44.1
May 14.3°C / 58°F 6.8° / 21.8° 24.2
Jun 11.9°C / 53°F 3.6° / 20.1° 11.9
Jul 11.6°C / 53°F 3.5° / 19.6° 19.1
Aug 13.6°C / 56°F 5.8° / 21.5° 15.6
Sep 15.9°C / 61°F 9.1° / 22.7° 27.5
Oct 16.6°C / 62°F 11° / 22.2° 93.4
Nov 18.2°C / 65°F 12.6° / 23.8° 114.1
Dec 19.8°C / 68°F 14.4° / 25.1° 163.7
Pietermaritzburg enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 74°F in January while summers reach 55°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 296 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 31.4 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 2,087 feet.

Temperature

74°F Jan (23°C) 55°F Jul (13°C)
Annual Average65.3°F
21% above South Africa avg
January Average74°F (23°C)
July Average55°F (13°C)
Sunny Days296 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,087 ft (636 m)
Area48.7 sq mi (126.0 km²)
Population Density17,252/sq mi
Coordinates-29.6168°N, 30.3928°W
TimezoneAfrica/Johannesburg

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 31.4"
17% below South Africa avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jan) 5.20"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.47"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.3. Most recent: M3.7 on Feb 6, 2016.

Jun 16, 2015 19 km ESE of Sundumbili, South Africa M4.3 126 km
Jul 26, 1991 10 km NNW of Port Shepstone, South Africa M3.8 115 km
Jan 9, 1994 9 km SE of Howick, South Africa M3.7 13 km
Feb 6, 2016 South Africa M3.7 33 km
Oct 11, 1993 45 km ESE of Ekuvukeni, South Africa M3.3 120 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 74°F (23°C) 5.2 in Warmest, Wettest
February 72°F (22°C) 4.4 in
March 70°F (21°C) 4.1 in
April 66°F (19°C) 1.8 in
May 59°F (15°C) 0.9 in
June 54°F (12°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
July 55°F (13°C) 0.5 in
August 58°F (14°C) 1.0 in
September 63°F (17°C) 1.9 in
October 65°F (18°C) 3.1 in
November 67°F (20°C) 4.1 in
December 70°F (21°C) 4.9 in

Pietermaritzburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 54°F in June to 74°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 32.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.2") and June the driest (0.5").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Pietermaritzburg

Institution Type Founded Website
Cedara College of Agriculture College - ,
Durban University of Technology Indumiso Campus University - Visit →
KZN Poultry Institute College - ,
St Charles College College - ,
Ukalinga Research Farm University - ,
UKZN University - ,
University of KwaZulu-Natal University - ,
University of KwaZulu-Natal University - ,
University of Kwazulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg Campus University - ,
Varsity College University - Visit →

Schools in Pietermaritzburg

113+ public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
IT Certification Academy - - - -
The Wykeham Collegiate Boarding establishment - - - -
LHC - - - -
Carter High School - - - -
Northern Park Primary School - - - -
Riverwood College - - - -
Maritzburg College - - - -
Longmarket Girls School - - - -
Merchiston Preparatory School - - - -
Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School - - - -
Athlone Primary School - - - -
New England Pre Primary School - - - -
St John's Diocesan School for Girls - - - -
Epworth School - - - -
Alexandra High School - - - -
Cordwalles Preparatory School - - - -
The Wykeham Collegiate - - - -
Imbali Lodge - - - -
Sukuma Secondary School - - - -
Ridge Junior Primary School - - - -
Pelham Primary School - - - -
Maritzburg Christian School - - - -
Scottsville Primary School - - - -
Rosefern Primary School - - - -
Ridge View Primary School - - - -
Heather Secondary School - - - -
Funulwazi Primary School - - - -
Piet Retief Primary School - - - -
Zibukezulu Technical High School - - - -
Myezane School - - - -
Mfundwenhle Primary School - - - -
Mehlokazulu Secondary School - - - -
Nyonithwele Secondary School - - - -
Bisley Park Primary School - - - -
Peter Pan School - - - -
Kharina Secondary School - - - -
Union Park Primary School - - - -
Springhaven Primary School - - - -
Silver Heights Secondary School - - - -
Northdale Primary School - - - -
Green Hill Primary School - - - -
T.P.A Full Service School - - - -
Northlands Primary School - - - -
W A Lewitt Primary School - - - -
Raisethorpe Secondary School - - - -
Deccan Road Primary School - - - -
Dunveria Secondary School - - - -
Regina Primary School - - - -
Woodlands Secondary School - - - -
Alston Primary School - - - -
Allandale Primary School - - - -
Ashdown Primary School - - - -
Bethel Christian Academy - - - -
Bongudunga Secondary School - - - -
The Grange Primary School - - - -
Nondwayiza School - - - -
IT Certification Academy - - - -
The Wykeham Collegiate Boarding establishment - - - -
LHC - - - -
Carter High School - - - -
Northern Park Primary School - - - -
Riverwood College - - - -
Maritzburg College - - - -
Longmarket Girls School - - - -
Merchiston Preparatory School - - - -
Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School - - - -
Athlone Primary School - - - -
New England Pre Primary School - - - -
St John's Diocesan School for Girls - - - -
Epworth School - - - -
Alexandra High School - - - -
Cordwalles Preparatory School - - - -
The Wykeham Collegiate - - - -
Imbali Lodge - - - -
Sukuma Secondary School - - - -
Ridge Junior Primary School - - - -
Pelham Primary School - - - -
Maritzburg Christian School - - - -
Scottsville Primary School - - - -
Rosefern Primary School - - - -
Ridge View Primary School - - - -
Heather Secondary School - - - -
Funulwazi Primary School - - - -
Piet Retief Primary School - - - -
Zibukezulu Technical High School - - - -
Myezane School - - - -
Mfundwenhle Primary School - - - -
Mehlokazulu Secondary School - - - -
Nyonithwele Secondary School - - - -
Bisley Park Primary School - - - -
Peter Pan School - - - -
Linpark High School - - - -
Kharina Secondary School - - - -
Union Park Primary School - - - -
Springhaven Primary School - - - -
Silver Heights Secondary School - - - -
Northdale Primary School - - - -
Green Hill Primary School - - - -
T.P.A Full Service School - - - -
Northlands Primary School - - - -
W A Lewitt Primary School - - - -
Raisethorpe Secondary School - - - -
Deccan Road Primary School - - - -
Dunveria Secondary School - - - -
Regina Primary School - - - -
Woodlands Secondary School - - - -
Alston Primary School - - - -
Allandale Primary School - - - -
Ashburton Primary School - - - -
Ashdown Primary School - - - -
Bethel Christian Academy - - - -
Bongudunga Secondary School - - - -
The Grange Primary School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Pietermaritzburg

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Kakarela FM news talk music MP3
uMgungundlovu FM 107.6 community, education UNKNOWN

Museums in Pietermaritzburg

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Comrades Marathon House
Nelson Mandela Capture Site – Visitor Center and Museum
Voortreker

Libraries in Pietermaritzburg

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Cecil Renaud Library0.0
Christian Library0.0
Hilton College Library0.0
Hilton Library0.0
Howick Library0.0
Msunduzi Municipal Library, Bessie Head Library0.0
Msunduzi Municipal Library, Bessie Head Library0.0
TWC Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Pietermaritzburg

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Farm Stall At The Rotunda
Farmer's Market
Karkloof Farmers Market

Hotels in Pietermaritzburg

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

StayEasy Pietermaritzburg

Restaurants in Pietermaritzburg

11 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Beanbag Cafe
El Sombrero Spur
Golden Dragon
Honchos
Honchos Scottsville
La Vita Italian Resaurant
Nando's
Nando's
Nando's Scottsville
RJ's Famous Rib Steakhouse
RocoMamas

Theatres in Pietermaritzburg

2 theatres within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

TWC theatre
Winston Churchill Theatre

Clinics in Pietermaritzburg

1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

ZA #1050093254

Dentists in Pietermaritzburg

1 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Hayfields Dental

Veterinaries in Pietermaritzburg

1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Hayfields Veterinary Hospital

Train Stations in Pietermaritzburg

14 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Broomfield
Camp
Camp
City View
Dlaba
Edendale
Grange
Pentrich
Pietermaritzburg
Plessislaer
Sikoleni
Sinadini
Sitebisi
Victoria

Bus Stations in Pietermaritzburg

2 bus stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Bus Station Pietermaritzburg
Buses to Underburg

Gas Stations in Pietermaritzburg

50 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Astron Energy
Astron Energy
Astron Energy
Astron Energy
BP
BP
BP
BP
BP
BP
BP
Caltex
Caltex
Engen
Engen
Engen
Engen
Engen
Engen
Engen
Engen
Engen
Engen
Engen
Engen
Petrol filling station (Shell)
Puma
Re-Fuel
Sasol
Sasol
Sasol
Sasol
Sasol
Sasol Garage
shell
Shell
Shell
Shell
Shell
Shell
Shell
Shell
Shell
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
ZA #758229130

Banks in Pietermaritzburg

8 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

ABSA
Africa Bank
FNB
Nedbank
Nedbank City Centre Pietermaritzburg
Nedbank Scottsville
Standard Bank
Standard Bank

Shopping Malls in Pietermaritzburg

3 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Athlone Circle Mall
Greater Edendale Mall
Liberty Midland Mall

Gyms in Pietermaritzburg

2 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

The wykeham Collegiate School Gym
Virgin Active

Golf Courses in Pietermaritzburg

2 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Golden Horse Driving Range
Maritzburg Golf Club

Stadiums & Teams in Pietermaritzburg

TeamLeagueDivision

Airports Near Pietermaritzburg

15 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
King Shaka International AirportDURLarge Airport
Pietermaritzburg AirportPZBMedium Airport
Virginia AirportVIRMedium Airport
Alverstone Airfield-Small Airport
Baynesfield Estate Airport-Small Airport
Clan Airport-Small Airport
Estcourt Airport-Small Airport
Greytown Airport-Small Airport
Howick Airport-Small Airport
New Hanover Airport-Small Airport
Scottburg Airport-Small Airport
Scottburgh Airfield-Small Airport
Siteka Airport-Small Airport
The Grange Airport-Small Airport
Treverton College Airstrip-Small Airport

Post Offices in Pietermaritzburg

2 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
SA Post Office
SA Post Office

Churches & Religious Organizations in Pietermaritzburg

18 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
All Saint's United Church
All Saint's United Church
Full Gospel Open Door Church
Full Gospel Open Door Church
Maritzburg College Chapel
Maritzburg College Chapel
Mountain Rise Musjid
Musjid ul-Taqwa مسجد التقوى
Scottville Baptist building
Scottville Baptist building
St Alphege's Church
St Alphege's Church
St Mary's Catholic Church
St Mary's Catholic Church
Wesley
Wesley
Wesley Methodist Church
Wesley Methodist Church

Explore Near Pietermaritzburg

UFO Sightings
1
Reported UFO sightings from the National UFO Reporting Center database
View all →

Quick Facts

Timezone
Africa/Johannesburg
Elevation
596 m (1,955 ft)
Area
126.0 km² (48.6 mi²)
Founded
1839
Postal Code
3200
Website
msunduzi.gov.za
Twinned With
Hampton, Zhuzhou

Around Pietermaritzburg

Places within 5 km radius - OpenStreetMap data

Schools 26
Hospitals 8
Pharmacies 4
Restaurants 10
Cafes 2
Supermarkets 17
Banks 8
Museums 1
Hotels 1
Libraries 1
Parks 21
Police Stations 2
Fire Stations 1
Places of Worship 4

Things to See Near Pietermaritzburg

5 places within 15 km

⛰️ Peaks (5)
  • • Samvula
  • • Signal Hill
  • • Swartkop
  • • The Knoll
  • • Town Hill

🇿🇦 About South Africa

Capital Pretoria
Population 57,779,622
Area 1,219,912 km²
GDP (USD) $381,440,724,491
GDP per capita $6,034
HDI 0.717
Life expectancy 66.1 years
Internet users 75.7%
Urban population 63.6%
Currency ZAR (Rand)
Languages Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Vend...
Calling code +27
TLD .za
Driving side left

Public Holidays in South Africa

12 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Mar 21 Human Rights Day Human Rights Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 6 Family Day Family Day
Apr 27 Freedom Day Freedom Day
May 1 Workers' Day Workers' Day
Jun 16 Youth Day Youth Day
Aug 10 National Women's Day National Women's Day
Sep 24 Heritage Day Heritage Day
Dec 16 Day of Reconciliation Day of Reconciliation
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 26 Day of Goodwill St. Stephen's Day

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Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Pietermaritzburg.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pietermaritzburg

What is the population of Pietermaritzburg?

Pietermaritzburg has a population of 839,327 residents and is located in South Africa. The population density is 17,252 people per square mile, spread across 48.7 square miles.

What is the weather like in Pietermaritzburg?

Pietermaritzburg enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winter temperatures average 74°F in January, while summers reach an average of 55°F in July. The area receives 296 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 31.4 inches.

Nearby Cities

Ashburton 2,659 pop · 5.1 mi Hilton 1,787 pop · 7.0 mi Camperdown 2,517 pop · 11.9 mi Hopewell 13,321 pop · 12.1 mi Albert Falls 5,434 pop · 12.4 mi Mpophomeni 30,830 pop · 12.9 mi Howick 32,453 pop · 13.7 mi Cato Ridge 5,168 pop · 14.0 mi Trust Feed 6,901 pop · 17.5 mi Richmond 32,445 pop · 19.1 mi New Hanover 3,804 pop · 19.8 mi Mpumalanga 140,121 pop · 19.9 mi Drummond 1,823 pop · 20.2 mi Lidgetton 5,416 pop · 21.4 mi
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