West Coast District Municipality covers the Western Cape’s Atlantic seaboard and wheatlands north of Cape Town, home to South Africa’s deepest natural harbour at Saldanha Bay. The 2022 census counted 497,393 people across five local municipalities, up from 391,767 in 2011. Moorreesburg is the district seat.
The district stretches from the Cederberg mountains in the far north down the coast to the edge of the Cape Town metro, taking in wheat plains, citrus valleys and fishing harbours along the way.
Local Municipalities in West Coast District
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 population |
|---|---|---|
| Saldanha Bay | Vredenburg | 154,635 |
| Swartland | Malmesbury | 148,331 |
| Bergrivier | Piketberg | 70,276 |
| Matzikama | Vredendal | 69,043 |
| Cederberg | Clanwilliam | 55,108 |
Major Towns
| Town | Municipality | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Saldanha | Saldanha Bay | 68,284 |
| Vredenburg | Saldanha Bay | 45,986 |
| Malmesbury | Swartland | 43,009 |
| Vredendal | Matzikama | 21,769 |
| Moorreesburg | Swartland | 15,428 |
| Piketberg | Bergrivier | 14,862 |
| Saint Helena Bay | Saldanha Bay | 13,813 |
| Velddrif | Bergrivier | 13,199 |
| Darling | Swartland | 12,484 |
| Langebaan | Saldanha Bay | 9,940 |
| Clanwilliam | Cederberg | 9,194 |
| Citrusdal | Cederberg | 8,598 |
| Porterville | Bergrivier | 8,455 |
| Vanrhynsdorp | Matzikama | 7,515 |
| Klawer | Matzikama | 7,469 |
| Hopefield | Saldanha Bay | 7,457 |
| Lambert’s Bay | Cederberg | 7,332 |
| Lutzville | Matzikama | 6,268 |
| Riebeek-Kasteel | Swartland | 5,704 |
| Chatsworth | Swartland | 4,854 |
Geography
The district runs from the Cederberg mountains and the Olifants River valley in the north down the Atlantic coast to the Saldanha Bay peninsula and the Swartland wheat plain bordering Cape Town. Its five local municipalities are Matzikama, Cederberg, Bergrivier, Saldanha Bay and Swartland.
Economy
The district economy splits three ways: grain farming across the southern Swartland plain, citrus and rooibos in the upper Olifants River valley around Citrusdal and Clanwilliam, and fishing and holiday tourism along the coast. Saldanha Bay’s ore-export harbour and steel industry add a heavy-industrial component found nowhere else in the district.
Wine grapes irrigated from the Olifants River support Matzikama’s valley towns, while the West Coast National Park at Langebaan Lagoon draws conservation-focused tourism alongside the fishing and holiday trade.
FAQ
What is the seat of West Coast District Municipality? Moorreesburg.
How many local municipalities make up the district? Five: Matzikama, Cederberg, Bergrivier, Saldanha Bay and Swartland.
What is the district’s population? 497,393 at the 2022 census, up from 391,767 in 2011.
What is the largest town in the district? Saldanha, with 68,284 people.
Which province is the West Coast District in? The Western Cape.
What is the district’s main industry? A mix of grain and citrus farming, fishing, and Saldanha Bay’s iron-ore export harbour.
How many people live in the district? 497,393 at the 2022 census, up from 391,767 in 2011.
What is the smallest local municipality by population? Cederberg, with 55,108 residents in 2022.