Highest Poverty in Western Cape

Top 95 cities ranked by highest poverty

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · South Africa · Western Cape

Highest Poverty — Western Cape

1 Touwsrivier 31.2%

2 Vanrhynsdorp 31.2%

3 Albertina 31.2%

4 Kleinmond 31.2%

5 Stilbaai 31.2%

6 Prince Alfred Hamlet 31.2%

7 Porterville 31.2%

8 Ladismith 31.2%

9 Citrusdal 31.2%

10 Clanwilliam 31.2%

11 Klapmuts 31.2%

12 Saron 31.2%

13 Klawer 31.2%

14 Heidelberg 31.2%

15 Langebaan 31.2%

16 Rosebank 31.2%

17 Sedgefield 31.2%

18 Tulbagh 31.2%

19 Mamre 31.2%

20 Bonnievale 31.2%

21 eNduli 31.2%

22 Villiersdorp 31.2%

23 Darling 31.2%

24 De Doorns 31.2%

25 Murraysburg 31.2%

26 Napier 31.2%

27 Calitzdorp 31.2%

28 Languedoc 31.2%

29 Kylemore 31.2%

30 Riebeek West 31.2%

31 Struisbaai 31.2%

32 Newlands 31.2%

33 Uniondale 31.2%

34 Zoar 31.2%

35 Riebeek-Kasteel 31.2%

36 Stanford 31.2%

37 Prince Albert 31.2%

38 Lutzville 31.2%

39 Riviersonderend 31.2%

40 Simon's Town 31.2%

41 Botrivier 31.2%

42 Kranshoek 31.2%

43 Genadendal 31.2%

44 Laingsburg 31.2%

45 Constantia 31.2%

46 Lamberts Bay 31.2%

47 Wilderness 31.2%

48 Hopefield 31.2%

49 Kraaifontein 31.2%

50 Robertson 31.2%

51 Muizenberg 31.2%

52 Grabouw 31.2%

53 Plettenberg Bay 31.2%

54 Ceres 31.2%

55 Malmesbury 31.2%

56 Beaufort West 31.2%

57 Vredenburg 31.2%

58 Durbanville 31.2%

59 Wellington 31.2%

60 Hermanus 31.2%

61 Retreat 31.2%

62 Saldanha 31.2%

63 Knysna 31.2%

64 Oudtshoorn 31.2%

65 Mossel Bay 31.2%

66 Atlantis 31.2%

67 Stellenbosch 31.2%

68 Worcester 31.2%

69 George 31.2%

70 Somerset West 31.2%

71 Paarl 31.2%

72 Athlone 31.2%

73 Ashton 31.2%

74 Velddrif 31.2%

75 Melkbosstrand 31.2%

76 Saint Helena Bay 31.2%

77 Claremont 31.2%

78 Wolseley 31.2%

79 Fisantekraal 31.2%

80 Piketberg 31.2%

81 Dysselsdorp 31.2%

82 Rondebosch 31.2%

83 Moorreesburg 31.2%

84 Gansbaai 31.2%

85 Cape Town 31.2%

86 Caledon 31.2%

87 Lansdowne 31.2%

88 Le Roux 31.2%

89 Groot-Brakrivier 31.2%

90 Montagu 31.2%

91 Bredasdorp 31.2%

92 Riversdale 31.2%

93 Franschhoek 31.2%

94 Swellendam 31.2%

95 Vredendal 31.2%

Cities with the highest poverty rates in Western Cape face deep economic challenges affecting a significant portion of their population. Touwsrivier has a poverty rate of 31.2%.

High poverty rates impact communities in multiple ways: reduced access to healthcare and healthy food, lower educational outcomes, higher crime rates, and deteriorating infrastructure. These challenges are interconnected and require comprehensive solutions.

Addressing poverty in these cities requires a multi-pronged approach including economic development, affordable housing, quality education, healthcare access, and workforce training programs targeting underserved populations.

Did You Know?

1. In Touwsrivier, 31.2% of residents — roughly 1 in 3 people — live below the poverty line.
2. Child poverty rates in these cities are often even higher than the overall rate, sometimes exceeding 40%.
3. Poverty is measured by household income relative to family size — the threshold varies from $15,060 for an individual to $31,200 for a family of four.

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