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Largest Cities in South Africa

Top 100 cities ranked by largest cities

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

Largest Cities — South Africa

1 Johannesburg 06 9,418,183
2 Cape Town 11 4,772,846
3 Durban 02 3,338,026
4 Pretoria 06 2,112,693
5 Soweto 06 1,695,047
6 Gqeberha 05 1,050,078
7 Soshanguve 06 872,309
8 Pietermaritzburg 02 839,327
9 Evaton 06 725,468
10 Benoni 06 605,344
11 Bloemfontein 03 556,637
12 Thembisa 06 511,655
13 East London 05 478,676
14 Vereeniging 06 474,681
15 Boksburg 06 445,168
16 Welkom 03 431,944
17 Newcastle 02 404,838
18 Krugersdorp 06 378,821
19 Rustenburg 10 373,695
20 Emalahleni 07 373,403
21 Diepsloot 06 350,000
22 Randburg 06 337,053
23 Roodepoort 06 326,416
24 Botshabelo 03 309,714
25 Brakpan 06 305,692
26 Kariega 05 291,052
27 Polokwane 09 272,461
28 Germiston 06 255,863
29 Richards Bay 02 252,968
30 Vanderbijlpark 06 246,754
31 Athlone 11 237,414
32 Paarl 11 236,910
33 Centurion 06 236,580
34 Klerksdorp 10 227,039
35 Somerset West 11 225,289
36 Mdantsane 05 205,504
37 Middelburg 07 196,263
38 George 11 188,580
39 Springs 06 186,394
40 Ivory Park 06 184,383
41 Carletonville 06 182,304
42 Alexandra 06 179,624
43 Potchefstroom 10 178,285
44 Mthatha 05 164,848
45 KwaDukuza 02 161,177
46 Westonaria 06 156,831
47 Etwatwa 06 151,866
48 Vryheid 02 150,012
49 Pinetown 02 144,026
50 Ladysmith 02 143,446
51 eMbalenhle 07 142,443
52 Kimberley 08 142,089
53 Nigel 06 140,644
54 Mpumalanga 02 140,121
55 Bhisho 05 137,287
56 Sasolburg 03 135,828
57 Randfontein 06 133,654
58 Worcester 11 127,597
59 Ntuzuma 02 125,394
60 Virginia 03 122,502
61 Brits 10 122,497
62 Alberton 06 121,536
63 Queenstown 05 118,599
64 Kroonstad 03 117,152
65 Somaroboro 07 114,369
66 Hammanskraal 10 112,950
67 Mabopane 06 110,972
68 Mbombela 07 110,159
69 Orkney 10 110,052
70 Phalaborwa 09 109,468
71 Thohoyandou 09 107,144
72 Tokoza 06 106,000
73 Standerton 07 101,101
74 Mokopane 09 101,090
75 Ermelo 07 100,324
76 Stellenbosch 11 96,228
77 Kutloanong 03 95,008
78 Stilfontein 10 93,110
79 Qonce 05 93,072
80 Delmas 07 92,046
81 Grahamstown 05 91,548
82 Bethlehem 03 91,075
83 Ga-Rankuwa 10 90,945
84 Bela Bela 09 90,210
85 Midrand 06 87,387
86 Louis Trichardt 09 86,854
87 Heidelberg 06 85,858
88 Dundee 02 84,413
89 Piet Retief 07 84,349
90 Phuthaditjhaba 03 84,258
91 Atlantis 11 82,736
92 Mossel Bay 11 78,940
93 Mafikeng 10 77,110
94 Mmabatho 10 76,754
95 Odendaalsrus 03 76,371
96 Oudtshoorn 11 73,694
97 Bethal 07 72,821
98 Thaba Nchu 03 72,721
99 Bothaville 03 71,934
100 Upington 08 71,373

The largest cities in South Africa represent major centers of economic activity, cultural influence, and population growth. Johannesburg leads with a population of 9,418,183, followed by Cape Town and Durban. These cities serve as hubs for employment, education, and innovation, attracting residents from across the country and around the world.

Population size is a key indicator of a city's economic influence and infrastructure capacity. Larger cities typically offer more diverse job markets, extensive public transit systems, and a wider range of cultural amenities. 06 dominates the top 10 with 6 cities on the list, reflecting the state's strong economic pull and quality of life.

While large populations bring economic advantages, they also present challenges including higher costs of living, traffic congestion, and housing affordability concerns. Many of these cities have experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by job opportunities in technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Johannesburg's population is larger than that of more than 30 U.S. states.
  • 2. 06 has 6 cities in the top 10, more than any other state.
  • 3. The 50th largest city still has a population of 143,446 — larger than most cities worldwide.
  • 4. The top 5 cities combined have a population of 21,336,795.

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South Africa — By Region

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