Cape Town Population 2026
Cape Town has a population of 4,772,846, making it the #2 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in Western Cape. Roughly 7.3% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 2.0× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
4,772,846
Rank in South Africa
#2
Coordinates
33.93°S, 18.42°E
~25 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
1,308 km
812 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Western Cape
| City | Population | Rank in South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Paarl | 236,910 | #30 |
| Somerset West | 225,289 | #33 |
| George | 188,580 | #36 |
| Worcester | 127,597 | #53 |
| Stellenbosch | 96,228 | #71 |
| Atlantis | 82,736 | #86 |
| Mossel Bay | 78,940 | #87 |
| Oudtshoorn | 73,694 | #90 |
Cities near Cape Town
- Durbanville54,286 people · ~23 km away
- Kraaifontein57,911 people · ~28 km away
- Atlantis82,736 people · ~40 km away
- Somerset West225,289 people · ~41 km away
- Stellenbosch96,228 people · ~41 km away
- Paarl236,910 people · ~55 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Cape Town?
Cape Town has a population of 4,772,846 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #2 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is Cape Town in?
Cape Town is located in Western Cape, South Africa.
Is Cape Town the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 1,308 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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