Background

In a departure from previous practice, the 2022 census was the first digital census conducted by South Africa and used three modes of collection: Computer-assisted Personal Interview (CAPI); Computer-assisted Web Interview (CAWI); and Computer-assisted Telephonic Interview (CATI).

Censuses are the principal means of collecting basic population and housing statistics required for planning, decision-making and monitoring of policies in all sectors of the economy in a country. Population and housing censuses provide detailed statistics on population composition, characteristics, and spatial distribution to the lowest geographical area. South Africa has conducted four censuses (1996, 2001, 2011 and 2022).

Census 2022 was the first digital census to be conducted in the post-1994 democratic dispensation, driven by the fundamental benefits of a technology-driven census, including real-time data collection, processing and timely, quality data. Census 2022’s strategic approach was thus to ensure that most processes such as the geography frame, data collection instruments/tools, and data processing were largely technology driven.

For more information on Cape Town, please explore the available resources on this page.

Population statistics

A set of summary statistics has been compiled for Cape Town into a single document (2022 Census high-level trends). These have been included in our summary document below, and answer some of the most commonly asked questions about our city.

2022 census

This initial release shows that the population of Cape Town is 4 772 846 (27.6% higher than the 2011 Census, and a slowdown from the previous intercensal period). The number of households is 1 452 845 (36.0% higher than the previous census, and also a slowdown from previous intercensal period). Moreover, the average household size has declined from 3.5 to 3.3 persons since the previous Census 2011. 

Read or download our Census 2022 high-level indicators infographic and Census 2022 Profile for more information, or view the high-level Census 2022 dashboard.

Census documents

You can view or download all 2022 census documents below. The information is presented according to key service and administrative boundaries within the City, which includes the 63 police precincts, 8 health districts, and 4 education districts.

2011 census

This census was undertaken in October 2011 and was the most comprehensive source of socio-economic and demographic information available for city-wide and local level analysis in Cape Town at the time. Previous censuses were conducted in October 2001 and in 1996.

Census documents

You can view or download all 2011 census documents below. Please note that all census data refers to the respective wards, subcouncils and other geographical profiles as at October 2011. The data therefore does not accurately reflect the demographics for the new demarcations which came into effect after the local government election in August 2016.

2011 Census – Cape Town Profile
2011 Census – Trends and Changes in Cape Town 2001 - 2011

Population and Households by Subcouncil – 2001 & 2011 
Population and Households by Ward – 2001 & 2011 

Document downloads

• 1. 1996 to 2016 City of Cape Town Trends and Statistics

     01/04/2017, Statistics - 1.3 MB

  2. Census 2022 Infographic

     12/10/2023, Infographic - 9.3 MB

  3. Census 2022 Trends and Changes

     27/10/2023, Report - 539 KB