Durban: population and official figures
What is the population of Durban?
Durban had 595,061 inhabitants (city proper) on 10 October 2011, according to a complete census (people present) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Durban rank among cities in South Africa?
Of the 4 cities the UN table lists for South Africa (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is 3rd largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Durban?
Women and girls made up 51.5% of residents (306,189 female, 288,871 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyWho runs Durban?
In South Africa, cities and towns are run by metropolitan municipalities: Council elected every five years: half the seats are ward councillors chosen by first-past-the-post, half come from party lists; the council elects the mayor. Single tier of local government for the biggest cities (e.g. Johannesburg, Cape Town, eThekwini/Durban).
How local power works in South Africa
Cities of a similar size in South Africa
- Johannesburg 957,441
- Pretoria 741,651
- Cape Town 433,688
Up a level: all cities in South Africa · South Africa · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.