uMngeni Local Municipality, seated at Howick, is part of uMgungundlovu District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal
midlands. The 2022 census counted 105,069 residents over 1,520.8 km², up from 93,858 in
2011.
Towns and Villages in uMngeni
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Howick | Town (seat) | 32,453 |
| Mpophomeni | Village | 30,830 |
| Lidgetton | Village | 5,416 |
| Hilton | Village | 1,787 |
| Nottingham Road | Village | 1,530 |
Smaller settlements and localities (full count 23):
- Ashley
- Balgowan
- Cedara
- Curry’s Post
- Esseldene
- Everdon
- Fort Nottingham
- Greendale Park
- Homewood
- Kildare
- Lions River
- Maloen
- Mansfield
- Merrivale
- Saint Annes College
- Sarsden Estate
- Spitzkop
- Yarrow
Geography
The municipality takes its name from the uMngeni River, which rises here and runs on to
Durban. It covers the tourist-oriented midlands towns of Howick, Hilton, Nottingham Road and
Mpophomeni, and includes the Karkloof and Midmar nature reserves. It borders Impendle,
Mkhambathini, Mpofana, Msunduzi, Richmond and uMshwathi within uMgungundlovu District Municipality. Balgowan and
Fort Nottingham lie further into the higher, cooler country toward the Drakensberg, where
plantation forestry and trout farming are common.
Demographics
Population grew from 93,858 in 2011 to 105,069 in 2022, among the faster-growing
municipalities in the district. Zulu is the first language of about 64% of residents and English
of about 26%, reflecting Howick and Hilton’s mixed urban population. Mpophomeni, a large
township adjoining Howick, is one of the municipality’s most populous residential areas.
Economy and Local Life
Tourism, dairy farming and forestry drive the local economy, built around the Karkloof and
Midmar dam areas and the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Meander craft and hospitality route. Hilton and
Howick also serve as commuter towns for Pietermaritzburg, with private schools, guesthouses and
craft businesses adding to the formal economy alongside farming. Mpophomeni and the surrounding
farming wards depend more on agricultural and municipal employment than on tourism, a divide
that shapes household income across the municipality. The Karkloof Nature Reserve and its
plantation forestry also support seasonal jobs alongside the year-round dairy sector.
Getting There
Howick lies on the N3 about 25 km north of Pietermaritzburg. Pietermaritzburg Airport is the
nearest airstrip; King Shaka International near Durban is roughly 100 km away. Nottingham Road
and Balgowan, further along the N3 toward the Drakensberg, are reached via the same freeway
and the parallel R103 old main road. Howick’s own hospital and shopping centres mean most
residents do not need to travel to Pietermaritzburg for everyday services.
History
Howick grew up around the 95-metre Howick Falls on the uMngeni River, a site of long-standing
Zulu spiritual significance still visited today. Hilton and Nottingham Road developed as
English-style hill-station towns for Pietermaritzburg’s colonial administration, a heritage
that still shapes the area’s schools, estates and guesthouses. Mpophomeni was established as a
township for workers on surrounding farms and forestry estates and has since grown into one of
the municipality’s largest residential areas in its own right.
FAQ
What is the seat of uMngeni Local Municipality?
Howick.
What is the population of uMngeni?
105,069 at the 2022 census, up from 93,858 in 2011.
Which district does uMngeni fall under?
uMgungundlovu District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.
What towns are in uMngeni?
Howick, Hilton, Nottingham Road, Mpophomeni and Lidgetton.
What is uMngeni known for?
The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Meander tourist route and the Howick Falls.
Is uMngeni growing?
Yes — population rose from 93,858 in 2011 to 105,069 in 2022.
What nature reserves are in uMngeni?
Karkloof Nature Reserve and Midmar Nature Reserve, both popular day-trip destinations.
How far is Howick from Pietermaritzburg?
About 25 km, via the N3 national route.
What language do most residents speak?
Zulu (64.3%) and English (25.5%) are the two most common first languages.
What is the area of uMngeni Local Municipality?
1,520.8 km², covering the towns of Howick, Hilton, Nottingham Road and Mpophomeni.