Richards Bay Population 2026
Richards Bay has a population of 252,968, making it the #28 biggest city in 🇿🇦 South Africa, located in KwaZulu-Natal. Roughly 0.4% of South Africa's population lives here. It is about 37× smaller than Johannesburg, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
252,968
Rank in South Africa
#28
Coordinates
28.78°S, 32.04°E
~9 m elevation · Africa/Johannesburg
Distance to capital (Pretoria)
509 km
316 miles, straight line
Other big cities in KwaZulu-Natal
| City | Population | Rank in South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Durban | 3,338,026 | #3 |
| Pietermaritzburg | 839,327 | #8 |
| Newcastle | 404,838 | #17 |
| KwaDukuza | 161,177 | #40 |
| Vryheid | 150,012 | #43 |
| Pinetown | 144,026 | #44 |
| Ladysmith | 143,446 | #45 |
| Mpumalanga | 140,121 | #49 |
Cities near Richards Bay
FAQ
What is the population of Richards Bay?
Richards Bay has a population of 252,968 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #28 biggest city in South Africa.
What region is Richards Bay in?
Richards Bay is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Is Richards Bay the capital of South Africa?
No, the capital of South Africa is Pretoria, about 509 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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