Most Dense in South Africa

Top 100 cities ranked by most dense

Most Dense - South Africa

1 Alexandra 06 67,275/mi²
2 Bhisho 05 44,002/mi²
3 Hammanskraal 10 38,549/mi²
4 Lansdowne 11 32,220/mi²
5 Tokoza 06 29,121/mi²
6 Thembisa 06 28,016/mi²
7 Delmas 07 27,313/mi²
8 Stellenbosch 11 25,257/mi²
9 eSikhaleni 02 21,607/mi²
10 Bronkhorstspruit 06 17,308/mi²
11 Pietermaritzburg 02 17,252/mi²
12 Soweto 06 16,468/mi²
13 Grabouw 11 14,588/mi²
14 Newcastle 02 13,836/mi²
15 Carletonville 06 13,434/mi²
16 Retreat 11 12,682/mi²
17 Coligny 10 12,322/mi²
18 Flagstaff 05 11,808/mi²
19 Klapmuts 11 11,328/mi²
20 Saron 11 9,565/mi²
21 Somerset West 11 9,506/mi²
22 Phuthaditjhaba 03 9,158/mi²
23 Villiersdorp 11 8,932/mi²
24 Viljoenskroon 03 7,953/mi²
25 East London 05 7,912/mi²
26 Wesselsbron 03 7,822/mi²
27 Botshabelo 03 7,714/mi²
28 Siyabuswa 07 7,685/mi²
29 Johannesburg 06 7,567/mi²
30 Franschhoek 11 7,353/mi²
31 Ulundi 02 7,338/mi²
32 Laingsburg 11 7,300/mi²
33 Vredenburg 11 7,228/mi²
34 Boksburg 06 7,102/mi²
35 Durban 02 6,823/mi²
36 Polokwane 09 6,605/mi²
37 Kimberley 08 6,452/mi²
38 Muizenberg 11 6,300/mi²
39 Wolseley 11 6,285/mi²
40 Oudtshoorn 11 6,255/mi²
41 Tulbagh 11 6,101/mi²
42 Pella WC 11 6,058/mi²
43 Atlantis 11 6,058/mi²
44 Hermanus 11 6,030/mi²
45 Emalahleni 07 5,888/mi²
46 Rondebosch 11 5,884/mi²
47 Parys 03 5,616/mi²
48 George 11 5,268/mi²
49 Roodepoort 06 5,234/mi²
50 Randburg 06 5,197/mi²
51 Malmesbury 11 4,945/mi²
52 Giyani 09 4,917/mi²
53 Kraaifontein 11 4,866/mi²
54 Alice 05 4,774/mi²
55 Lusikisiki 05 4,681/mi²
56 Durbanville 11 4,562/mi²
57 Mthatha 05 4,529/mi²
58 Ga-Rankuwa 10 4,513/mi²
59 Dundee 02 4,500/mi²
60 Paarl 11 4,464/mi²
61 Brakpan 06 4,331/mi²
62 Pinetown 02 4,330/mi²
63 Queenstown 05 4,308/mi²
64 Alberton 06 4,080/mi²
65 Newlands 11 3,987/mi²
66 Cape Town 11 3,984/mi²
67 Citrusdal 11 3,965/mi²
68 Genadendal 11 3,701/mi²
69 Qonce 05 3,679/mi²
70 Mossel Bay 11 3,624/mi²
71 Libode 05 3,595/mi²
72 Calvinia 08 3,526/mi²
73 Mokopane 09 3,485/mi²
74 Albertina 11 3,439/mi²
75 Worcester 11 3,436/mi²
76 Rustenburg 10 3,427/mi²
77 Jeffreys Bay 05 3,376/mi²
78 Sedgefield 11 3,323/mi²
79 Fort Beaufort 05 3,276/mi²
80 Velddrif 11 3,221/mi²
81 Molteno 05 3,117/mi²
82 Kokstad 02 3,102/mi²
83 Margate 02 3,050/mi²
84 Lady Frere 05 2,936/mi²
85 Darling 11 2,911/mi²
86 Hlohlolwane 03 2,873/mi²
87 Bloemfontein 03 2,809/mi²
88 Pretoria 06 2,794/mi²
89 Brits 10 2,766/mi²
90 Vanrhynsdorp 11 2,715/mi²
91 Humansdorp 05 2,608/mi²
92 Allanridge 03 2,590/mi²
93 Klawer 11 2,524/mi²
94 Robertson 11 2,498/mi²
95 Memel 03 2,487/mi²
96 Riviersonderend 11 2,440/mi²
97 Kleinmond 11 2,412/mi²
98 Piketberg 11 2,358/mi²
99 Porterville 11 2,291/mi²
100 Ficksburg 03 2,199/mi²

The most densely populated cities in South Africa pack the most residents per square mile, creating vibrant urban environments with walkable neighborhoods and extensive public transit. Alexandra leads with 67,275 people per square mile.

High population density is often associated with better access to public transportation, more walkable streets, and a wider variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options within close proximity. These cities tend to have lower car ownership rates and shorter commute distances.

Dense cities face unique challenges including higher housing costs, limited parking, and potential overcrowding in public spaces. However, they also tend to have lower per-capita carbon footprints due to shared infrastructure and reduced driving.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Alexandra has 67,275 people per square mile - that's roughly 105 people per acre.
  • 2. Dense cities tend to have the most walkable neighborhoods and lowest car ownership rates in the country.
  • 3. Urban density can reduce per-capita carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to suburban sprawl.

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