Pietermaritzburg Population 2026
Pietermaritzburg has a population of 839,327, making it the #8 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in KwaZulu-Natal. Roughly 1.3% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 11× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
839,327
Rank in South Africa
#8
Coordinates
29.62°S, 30.39°E
~636 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
482 km
299 miles, straight line
Other big cities in KwaZulu-Natal
| City | Population | Rank in South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Durban | 3,338,026 | #3 |
| Newcastle | 404,838 | #17 |
| Richards Bay | 252,968 | #28 |
| KwaDukuza | 161,177 | #40 |
| Vryheid | 150,012 | #43 |
| Pinetown | 144,026 | #44 |
| Ladysmith | 143,446 | #45 |
| Mpumalanga | 140,121 | #49 |
Cities near Pietermaritzburg
- Mpophomeni30,830 people · ~21 km away
- Howick32,453 people · ~22 km away
- Richmond32,445 people · ~31 km away
- Mpumalanga140,121 people · ~32 km away
- Pinetown144,026 people · ~53 km away
- Ntuzuma125,394 people · ~55 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Pietermaritzburg?
Pietermaritzburg has a population of 839,327 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #8 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is Pietermaritzburg in?
Pietermaritzburg is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Is Pietermaritzburg the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 482 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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