Smallest Cities in KwaZulu-Natal

Top 71 cities ranked by smallest 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 · KwaZulu-Natal

Smallest Cities — KwaZulu-Natal

1 Cato Ridge 5,168

2 Charlestown 5,262

3 Cedarville 5,286

4 eMkhuze 5,288

5 Lidgetton 5,416

6 Albert Falls 5,434

7 Manguzi 5,534

8 Magabeni 5,904

9 Nqutu 6,533

10 Nondweni 6,691

11 Port Edward 6,872

12 Trust Feed 6,901

13 Winterton 7,224

14 Colenso 7,653

15 Weenen 8,183

16 Utrecht 8,486

17 Nongoma 9,140

18 Melmoth 9,362

19 Inanda 10,032

20 Darnall 10,106

21 Dannhauser 10,378

22 Hazelmere 10,605

23 Harding 11,434

24 Kgwaripe 11,519

25 Sundumbili 12,455

26 Paulpietersburg 13,123

27 Hopewell 13,321

28 Craigieburn 13,543

29 Ekuvukeni 14,331

30 Ixopo 14,929

31 Matatiele 14,935

32 Berea 15,000

33 Frischgewaagd 16,192

34 Ga-Malakhe 16,891

35 Eshowe 17,663

36 eMuziwezinto 19,415

37 Ncotshane 19,562

38 eMkhomazi 20,410

39 Glencoe 21,024

40 Mooi River 21,730

41 Greytown 23,139

42 Scottburgh 23,949

43 Estcourt 26,444

44 Shakaskraal 27,345

45 Ballitoville 27,718

46 Mpophomeni 30,830

47 Ulundi 31,795

48 Richmond 32,445

49 Howick 32,453

50 Empangeni 33,075

51 Mtubatuba 33,182

52 Wembesi 33,849

53 Margate 34,407

54 Folweni 36,425

55 Mandeni 37,533

56 eSikhaleni 49,265

57 Port Shepstone 52,793

58 Mondlo 53,892

59 Kokstad 61,751

60 Tongaat 64,829

61 Dundee 84,413

62 Ntuzuma 125,394

63 Mpumalanga 140,121

64 Ladysmith 143,446

65 Pinetown 144,026

66 Vryheid 150,012

67 KwaDukuza 161,177

68 Richards Bay 252,968

69 Newcastle 404,838

70 Pietermaritzburg 839,327

71 Durban 3,338,026

The smallest cities in KwaZulu-Natal (with populations above 5,000) offer a different quality of life compared to major metropolitan areas. Cato Ridge has a population of just 5,168. These communities often feature lower costs of living, stronger neighborhood connections, and less congestion.

Small cities can offer significant advantages for residents seeking affordable housing, shorter commutes, and a close-knit community feel. Many serve as regional centers for surrounding rural areas, providing essential services while maintaining a small-town atmosphere.

Despite their smaller size, many of these cities have thriving local economies, good school systems, and access to outdoor recreation. They represent an alternative to the fast-paced lifestyle of major metropolitan areas.

Did You Know?

1. At 5,168 residents, Cato Ridge is smaller than a single large apartment complex in New York City.
2. Small cities (5,000-10,000) make up the majority of incorporated places in the United States.
3. Many of the smallest cities serve as county seats or regional service centers for surrounding rural communities.

Browse Rankings by Region

South Africa — By Region

Eastern Cape Free State Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga North West Northern Cape Western Cape

By Country

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Netherlands Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe