Polokwane Population 2026
Polokwane has a population of 272,461, making it the #26 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in Limpopo. Roughly 0.4% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 35× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
272,461
Rank in South Africa
#26
Coordinates
23.90°S, 29.47°E
~1,315 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
242 km
150 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Limpopo
| City | Population | Rank in South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Phalaborwa | 109,468 | #65 |
| Thohoyandou | 107,144 | #66 |
| Mokopane | 101,090 | #69 |
| Bela Bela | 90,210 | #79 |
| Louis Trichardt | 86,854 | #81 |
| Nkowakowa | 51,350 | #118 |
| Musina | 51,132 | #119 |
| Modimolle | 50,306 | #120 |
Cities near Polokwane
- Mankweng49,480 people · ~24 km away
- Lebowakgomo42,040 people · ~46 km away
- Mokopane101,090 people · ~57 km away
- Tzaneen17,457 people · ~71 km away
- Duiwelskloof24,572 people · ~72 km away
- Nkowakowa51,350 people · ~83 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Polokwane?
Polokwane has a population of 272,461 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #26 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is Polokwane in?
Polokwane is located in Limpopo, South Africa.
Is Polokwane the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 242 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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