Prince Albert Local Municipality sits in the Great Karoo below the Swartberg range, part of the Central Karoo District. The 2022 census counted 17,836 people over 8,153 km². The seat is Prince Albert town.
Towns and Villages in Prince Albert
A small, low-density municipality with one main town and a rail-line settlement, plus scattered farm localities across the Karoo plain.
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Albert | Seat | 13,136 |
| Leeu-Gamka | Town | 3,267 |
Other localities:
- Bergwater
- Bitterwater
- Genasfontein
- Klaarstroom
- Moreson
Geography
Prince Albert lies in the Central Karoo, at the northern foot of the Swartberg mountains. It borders Beaufort West and Ubuntu to the north, and Laingsburg to the west, sharing the Central Karoo District with both. Prince Albert town sits at the head of the scenic Swartberg Pass road, which climbs south over the mountains toward Oudtshoorn and the Garden Route. Klaarstroom lies further along the pass road toward the south.
Neighbouring municipalities:
- Beaufort West (north)
- Ubuntu, Northern Cape (north)
- Laingsburg (west, within the Central Karoo District)
Demographics
Population grew from 13,136 (2011 census) to 17,836 (2022 census), up about 36%. Coloured residents make up roughly 89.5% of the population, and Afrikaans is the first language of 93.5% of residents — among the highest concentrations of both in the Western Cape.
Economy and Local Life
Sheep and dried-fruit farming underpin the rural economy, alongside a growing tourism trade centred on the historic town of Prince Albert itself, known for its Karoo architecture, olive groves and the Swartberg Pass. Leeu-Gamka, on the N1, functions mainly as a fuel and travel stop rather than a farming centre.
History
Prince Albert grew from an early Dutch Reformed mission outpost into a formal town in the 19th century, named after Queen Victoria’s consort. Its well-preserved Karoo streetscape has made it a heritage-tourism draw in recent decades, alongside a small but active wine and olive-farming scene irrigated from Swartberg spring water.
Getting There
Prince Albert Road on the N1 links the municipality to Beaufort West (north) and Cape Town (south, about 400 km). The R407 connects the town to the N1 and to the Swartberg Pass toward Oudtshoorn.
FAQ
What is the seat of Prince Albert Local Municipality?
Prince Albert town.
How many people live in Prince Albert Local Municipality?
17,836 people, per the 2022 census.
Which district does Prince Albert belong to?
The Central Karoo District Municipality.
What towns are in Prince Albert Local Municipality?
Prince Albert town and Leeu-Gamka.
How big is Prince Albert Local Municipality?
8,153 km².
What is Prince Albert town known for?
Its preserved 19th-century Karoo architecture, olive groves, and the Swartberg Pass gravel road over the mountains.
How do I get to Prince Albert town from the N1?
Via Prince Albert Road, then the R407 south into town.
What crops are grown around Prince Albert?
Dried fruit and olives, irrigated with Swartberg spring water, alongside sheep farming across the wider municipality.
What is Leeu-Gamka?
A small settlement on the N1 within Prince Albert Local Municipality, mainly serving as a fuel and travel stop.
What proportion of Prince Albert’s population is Coloured?
About 89.5%, per the most recent census breakdown.
Is Prince Albert growing?
Yes — population rose about 36% between the 2011 and 2022 censuses.
What language dominates Prince Albert Local Municipality?
Afrikaans, spoken by 93.5% of residents as a first language.
What road links Prince Albert to Oudtshoorn?
The Swartberg Pass, a scenic unpaved mountain road via Klaarstroom and the R407.
How large is Prince Albert Local Municipality’s council?
A seven-member council using mixed-member proportional representation, across four wards.
Who is the current mayor of Prince Albert?
Linda Jaquet of the Democratic Alliance, following a September 2022 by-election that gave the party an outright majority.