Beaufort West Local Municipality is the largest local municipality in the Western Cape by area, part of the Central Karoo District. The 2022 census counted 72,972 people over 21,917 km². The seat is Beaufort West.
Towns and Villages in Beaufort West
The municipality is a vast, sparsely settled stretch of the Great Karoo built around one large town and two smaller rail-line settlements.
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Beaufort West | Seat | 44,737 |
| Murraysburg | Town | 6,073 |
| Nelspoort | Town | 2,035 |
| Merweville | Town | 1,907 |
Other places and localities:
- Nieuveld Park
- Restvale
Geography
Beaufort West lies in the Great Karoo, South Africa’s largest local municipality by area outside the far north. It borders the Karoo Hoogland and Ubuntu municipalities of the Northern Cape to the north, Dr Beyers Naudé to the southeast, Prince Albert to the south and Laingsburg to the southwest. Murraysburg sits isolated in the municipality’s northeast corner, closer in practice to the Eastern Cape than to Beaufort West town. The Nuweveld mountains rise north of the town, feeding the Gamka River that supplies the municipal dam.
Neighbouring municipalities:
- Karoo Hoogland (Northern Cape, northwest)
- Ubuntu (Northern Cape, north)
- Dr Beyers Naudé (Eastern Cape, southeast)
- Prince Albert (south)
- Laingsburg (southwest)
Demographics
Population rose from 49,586 (2011 census) to 72,972 (2022 census), up about 47% — one of the largest gains in the district. Coloured residents make up 77.5% of the population, and 84.3% speak Afrikaans as a first language. Growth has concentrated in Beaufort West town’s residential areas, which hold the large majority of the municipality’s population.
Economy and Local Life
Sheep farming and Karoo lamb production anchor the rural economy. Beaufort West town, the largest urban centre for hundreds of kilometres along the N1, also draws steady trade from long-distance travellers and truck traffic, with fuel, accommodation and vehicle services forming a significant share of local business.
History
Beaufort West was founded in 1818 and named after the Duke of Beaufort, father of Cape Governor Lord Charles Somerset — commonly cited as the oldest town in the Great Karoo. It grew as an administrative and church centre, later becoming a key stop on the railway line linking Cape Town to the interior. Murraysburg developed separately as its own farming town before being incorporated into the enlarged Beaufort West municipality under the 2000 local-government reorganisation.
Getting There
The N1 national highway runs directly through Beaufort West, roughly halfway between Cape Town (about 460 km south) and Johannesburg. It is the main overnight stop for road travellers on that route. The Shosholoza Meyl rail line also stops in the town.
FAQ
What is the seat of Beaufort West Local Municipality?
Beaufort West town.
How many people live in Beaufort West Local Municipality?
72,972 people, per the 2022 census.
Which district does Beaufort West belong to?
The Central Karoo District Municipality.
What towns are in Beaufort West Local Municipality?
Beaufort West, Murraysburg, Nelspoort and Merweville.
How big is Beaufort West Local Municipality?
21,917 km², the largest local municipality in the Western Cape.
When was Beaufort West founded?
In 1818, making it the oldest town in the Great Karoo.
Why is Beaufort West important on the N1?
It sits roughly halfway between Cape Town and Johannesburg, making it the standard overnight stop for road travellers on that route.
Where is Murraysburg in relation to Beaufort West town?
It sits isolated in the municipality’s northeast corner, closer in practice to the Eastern Cape border than to Beaufort West itself.
What farming dominates the Beaufort West area?
Sheep farming and Karoo lamb production, the mainstay of the local rural economy.
How far is Beaufort West from Cape Town?
About 460 km south along the N1.