# Amathole District, Eastern Cape Province – Population

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/amathole/

District · Eastern Cape Province 

# Amathole District

Amathole District is a district or metropolitan municipality of South Africa in Eastern Cape Province. It had an estimated **789,726 people** in 2020 on 21,117 km² (about 37 per km²). It is divided into 6 local municipalities. 996 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 1,556 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 789,726people (2020)
- 21,117km²
- 6local municipalities
- 1,556mapped services

## How many people live in Amathole District?

Amathole District had an estimated **789,726 people** in 2020 — 12.1% of Eastern Cape Province, 23rd of 50 districts. There are 1,108 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Eastern Cape Province figure of 1,103). Spread over 21,117 km², that is about **37 people per km²**, 31st of 50 districts.

32.8% of people are children under 15 and 10.2% are 65 or older; the median age is about 25 years (it is 25 across Eastern Cape Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 76 children and older people.

0–4 ****80,205**

5–9 ****89,583**

10–14 ****89,374**

15–19 ****83,597**

20–24 ****54,534**

25–29 ****44,165**

30–34 ****46,595**

35–39 ****44,121**

40–44 ****38,532**

45–49 ****35,697**

50–54 ****36,175**

55–59 ****33,922**

60–64 ****32,504**

65–69 ****28,601**

70–74 ****24,869**

75–79 ****14,888**

80+ ****12,364**

Source: [Statistics South Africa 2016 Community Survey Population via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-zaf).

## Where is Amathole District?

Amathole District lies in [Eastern Cape Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/), [South Africa](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/). It borders 4 other districts: [Buffalo City District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/buffalo-city/), [Cacadu District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/cacadu/), [Chris Hani District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/chris-hani/) and [O.R.Tambo District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/o-r-tambo/). By area it is the 22nd largest of 52 districts in South Africa. It covers 12.5% of [Eastern Cape Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/). The centre of Amathole District is about 772 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 30 km from Bhisho, the main town of Eastern Cape Province. The centre point is at 32.6414° S, 27.2369° E. Local names: DC12 .

Source: [South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-zaf).

## Things to see in and around Amathole District

OpenStreetMap lists 50 named sights in Amathole District: 21 nature reserves; 9 museums; 5 monuments; 5 waterfalls; 4 beachs; 2 viewpoints; 1 memorial; 1 gallery; 1 attraction; 1 castle or fort.

- Hamburg Heritage Site · museum
- Hazel Jefferies Shell Museum · museum
- KwaMaqoma Historical Museum · museum
- Our Heritage Museum · museum
- Post Office Accommodation · museum
- The Collectors Wagon · museum
- Thomas River Museum of Eastern Cape Rock Art · museum
- Vintage Car Museum · museum
- Wagon Museum · museum
- Fort Beaufort Martello Tower · castle or fort
- 39 Steps Waterfall · waterfall
- Bridal Veils Fall · waterfall
- Hogrock Falls · waterfall
- Madonna and Child Falls · waterfall
- Redcliff Waterfall · waterfall
- Andrews State Forest · nature reserve
- Auckland Forest Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Cape Henderson Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Cape Morgan Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Cathcart Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Cathcart State Forest · nature reserve
- Double Drift Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Double Mouth Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Entle Protected Environment · nature reserve
- Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Hamburg Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Kwelera Island Local Nature Reserve · nature reserve

…and 20 more.

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Amathole District

- Time zoneUTC+2, no daylight saving · Africa/Johannesburg
- CurrencyRand (ZAR)
- Country calling code+27
- LanguagesZulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana
- Plug typesType C, D · 230 V
- Driving sideLeft
- Postcode format4 digits (####)

### Nearest airports

- King Phalo Airport (ELS) · East London70 km
- K. D. Matanzima Airport (UTT) · Mthatha182 km

### Nearest railway station

Stutterheim (Amahlathi), about 20 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 14.3 hours, sunrise around 04:57) and shortest in Jun (about 10.0 hours, sunrise around 07:10, sunset around 17:11).

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Local municipalities of Amathole District

Local municipality Area km² Localities Services 

[Amahlathi](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/amathole/amahlathi/) 4,505 73 190 

[Great Kei](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/amathole/great-kei/) 1,700 87 111 

[Mbhashe](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/amathole/mbhashe/) 3,303 341 365 

[Mnquma](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/amathole/mnquma/) 3,137 258 396 

[Ngqushwa](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/amathole/ngqushwa/) 2,115 111 116 

[Raymond Mhlaba](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/amathole/raymond-mhlaba/) 6,357 152 378 

Source: [South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-zaf); [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

## Villages and localities in Amathole District

Open gazetteers list **996 villages, towns and localities** in Amathole District. The largest with a recorded population: Fort Beaufort (58,419), Butterworth (53,086), Stutterheim (35,510), Alice (18,141), Adelaide (14,606) and Dutywa (13,270). Settlements here lie between about 5 m and 1,666 m above sea level (median 394 m).

- Adelaide
- Alderley
- Alice
- Amabele
- Ann Shaw
- Argyle
- Audie
- Avalon
- Badi
- Bakaneni
- Balfour
- Bangweni
- Barracuda
- Bashee
- Bawa
- Bayview
- Beacon Hill
- Bedford
- Bedford Retirement Village
- Beecham Woods
- Begha
- Begha Mouth
- Bell
- Bende
- Bergplaas
- Bernese
- Bethel
- Bezuidenhoutville
- Bhetani
- Bhokhwe
- Bholani
- Bhongweni
- Bhunga
- Bikana
- Bikanadale
- Binfield
- Black Hill
- Blue Lagoon
- Bluerock
- Blythswood
- Bodiam
- Bogo
- Bojeni
- Bokpoort
- Bolo
- Bolotwa
- Bomapass
- Bomela
- Bonde
- Bongoza
- Bongweni
- Breakfast Vlei
- Brown’s Vale
- Bulungulu
- Bunga
- Burnshill
- Busila
- Butterworth
- Bylletrs
- Cafutweni
- Calderwood
- Camsha
- Caphu
- Carleen
- Cata
- Cathcart
- Cat’s Pass
- Cebe
- Cefani
- Cegcuwana
- Celetyuma
- Centane
- Centani
- Centuli
- Cenyu
- Chatha
- Chibini
- Chintsa
- Chisirha
- Ciko
- Cimezile
- Cingweni
- Cintsa
- Cintsa East
- Cintsa Mouth
- Cintsa Mouth West
- Cintsa West
- Cizele
- Clidara
- Collywobbles
- Columba
- Cooperdale
- Crediton
- Crossroads
- Cuba
- Cullendale
- Cumakala
- Cungweni
- Cwaru
- Cwebe
- Cwili
- Dabane
- Dadamba
- Dadeni
- Dadiyane
- Dallas
- Damdam
- Daninge
- Debe Marela
- Debe Nek
- Debe Valley
- Diphini
- Diva
- Dladla
- Dlepu
- Dohne
- Dondashe
- Donnington
- Donqaba
- Dontsa
- Double Mouth
- Dube Location
- Duff Bank
- Durban Mission Location
- Dutywa
- Dwesa
- Dyamala
- Dyashi
- Dyushu
- Ebenda
- Ebenezer Mhlambiso’s
- Ebufumbu
- Efama
- Elliotdale
- Ematshanganeni
- Embangweni
- Embugwini
- Emgcwe
- Emkhiwaneni
- Enkululekweni
- Esikhobeni
- Esikhululweni
- Esinquineni
- Esixekweni
- Etempen
- Ethembeni
- Ewanrigg
- Exeni
- Fairview
- Falakahla
- Feni
- Fordini
- Fort Beaufort
- Fort Cox
- Fort Malan
- Fort Warden
- Frankfort
- Gaga
- Ganda
- Ganfana
- Gaqa
- Garrick
- Gciala
- Gcuwa (Butterworth)
- Geneva
- Gibralter
- Glassridge
- Glen Eden Estate
- Glen Gregor
- Glen Lynden
- Glen Muir
- Glen Navar
- Glengariff
- Glenmore
- Glenthorn
- Godidi
- Gola Hashe’s Location
- Goodhope
- Goodi Location
- Gosara
- Goshen
- Gotyibene
- Gotyibeni
- Gqadushe
- Gqiba
- Gqora
- Gqumashe
- Gqunce
- Gqunge
- Gqunqe
- Groxozayo
- Gubeni
- Gubevu
- Guxuxu
- Gwadana
- Gwadu
- Gwali
- Gwetyibeni
- Gwili Gwili
- Gxara
- Gxarha
- Gxulu
- Haga-Haga
- Hala
- Hamburg
- Happy Home
- Happy Valley
- Harefield
- Hatchleydene
- Healdton Fingo
- Healdtown
- Hebehebe
- Heckel
- Hercules
- High Hill
- Hlabeni
- Hlangani
- Hlobo
- Hobeni
- Hogsback
- Holela
- Hom
- Hopewell
- Horseshoe
- Horton
- Idutywa River
- Irisdale
- Isidenge Bosboustasie
- Isityam
- Jalamba
- Jekete
- Jersey Vale
- Jojozi
- Jojweni
- Jokwenus Location
- Jujura
- Kalalo
- Kalana Location
- Kamas Location
- Kama’s
- Kampplek
- Karberg
- Kasa
- Kaulela Location
- Kefani
- Kei Bridge
- Kei Mouth
- Kei Road
- Keiskammahoek
- Kelswood
- Kentani
- Keti
- Khula Dharma
- Khwenxurha
- Khwetshe
- Kildare
- Kings Lynn
- Kingscofe
- Klipplaat
- Knapps Hope
- Kobonqaba
- Kodidi
- Kohlo
- Komga
- Komhlulu
- Komkhulu
- Komkulu
- Kotana
- Kotyana
- Kraal
- Krauses Beach
- Ku-Gilandoda
- Ku-Ludondolo
- Ku-Msikiti
- Ku-Xawuka
- KuAmanzimnyama
- KuBangqo
- KuBom
- KuDikidikana
- KuFundakubi
- KuGambushe
- KuGroxo
- KuGxara
- KuJingqi
- KuLofumbata
- KuLogongoto
- KuLogqogqa
- KuLohopana
- KuLojika
- KuLojingqi
- KuLombete
- KuLombombo
- KuLotshazi
- KuLovulandi
- KuMahasana
- KuMapiko
- KuMbonda
- KuMembesi
- KuMilwa
- KuMkulu
- KuNcityana
- KuNgqungqumbe
- KuNgqutu
- KuNjemane
- KuNkazana
- KuNkumba
- KuSunduza
- KuVulindawo
- KuXama
- Kubusi
- Kubusie Woolwash
- Kwa Lubilo
- Kwa-Bola
- Kwa-Hoyi
- Kwa-Hoza
- Kwa-Lutiko
- Kwa-Maqosha
- Kwa-Mkontwana
- Kwa-Ndaba
- Kwa-Ndlankomo
- Kwa-Nomadola
- Kwa-Pikoli
- Kwa-Sithungi
- KwaBanqo
- KwaBawu
- KwaBitsha
- KwaBoto
- KwaCingane
- KwaDebese
- KwaDesi
- KwaFeni
- KwaGcani
- KwaGubevu
- KwaGuquka
- KwaGwalani
- KwaHadi
- KwaJaji
- KwaKayaletu
- KwaLibalele
- KwaLuvundu
- KwaMacibe
- KwaMahomba
- KwaMangati
- KwaMaqoma
- KwaMayijl
- KwaMazamisa
- KwaMbongendlu
- KwaMdange
- KwaMemela
- KwaMganu
- KwaMhlekwa
- KwaMjo
- KwaMlalandle
- KwaMpeko
- KwaMsobomvu
- KwaMtebele
- KwaMtintsilana
- KwaMvemve
- KwaMyataza
- KwaNcaza
- KwaNcwane
- KwaNdaba
- KwaNdesane
- KwaNditya
- KwaNduku
- KwaNgcelwane
- KwaNgezana
- KwaNgodloza
- KwaNgquwa
- KwaNgwevu
- KwaNjana
- KwaNobanda
- KwaNokatana
- KwaNongxeke
- KwaNontsinga
- KwaNtloko
- KwaNtola
- KwaPewuta
- KwaPita
- KwaRasi
- KwaSawu
- KwaSilatsha
- KwaSityi
- KwaSogula
- KwaSongwevu
- KwaTuba
- KwaVelelo
- KwaWezo
- KwaYimani
- KwaZangwa
- KwaZibunu
- Kwatinidubu
- Kwenxura
- Kwezana
- Kwilini
- Lalini
- Lamyeni
- Langeni
- Leevdrift
- Lemoenfontein

…and 596 more.

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Amathole District

Named natural and historic features inside Amathole District, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

239 rivers and streams; 4 reservoirs and tanks; 3 waterfalls.

- Amatole
- Andrew F.C. Turpin Dam
- Baviaansrivier
- Bawa Falls
- Bholotwa
- Big Thomas River
- Bikana
- Bira
- Blinkwaterrivier
- Blue Krans Stream
- Bolo
- Brandbosrivier
- Bulura
- Bumbane
- Bumbane
- Busila
- Buxtonrivier
- Cafutweni
- Candu
- Cata
- Cebe
- Cefane
- Cegcuwana
- Cememe

…and 222 more.

### Coast and islands

14 headlands; 2 beaches; 1 bay.

- Bosbokstrand
- Breezy Point
- Cherry’s Point
- Cintsa Bay
- Flat Point
- Juju Point
- Mazeppa Point
- Mazeppa Sand Patch
- Mbiza
- Mbolompo Point
- Mound Point
- Mpame Point
- Nkalanga
- Reef Point
- Sandy Point
- Shixini Point
- Stony Point

### Hills and mountains

68 hills; 67 mountains; 8 mountain passes.

- Elandsberg · 2,006 m
- Besterskop · 1,983 m
- Gaika’s Kop · 1,945 m
- Groeneberg · 1,891 m
- Pringle’s Kop · 1,846 m
- The Hogsback · 1,839 m
- Tandjiesberg · 1,827 m
- Driekop · 1,747 m
- Vleikop · 1,735 m
- Boesmanskrans · 1,730 m
- Mount Frederick · 1,655 m
- Menziesberg · 1,639 m
- Didima Hill · 1,609 m
- Kubust · 1,604 m
- Debeerspas · 1,599 m
- Windvoëlberg · 1,590 m
- Mount Thomas · 1,585 m
- Egglestone · 1,575 m
- Loskop · 1,562 m
- Vaalkop · 1,562 m
- Little Winterberg · 1,558 m
- Katbergpas · 1,552 m
- Rooiberg · 1,548 m
- Rennie’s Kop · 1,531 m

…and 119 more.

### Forests and nature

22 forest reserves; 18 forests; 1 nature reserve.

- Andrews Forest
- Arnes Forest
- Auckland Forest Reserve
- Botha’s Forest
- Cathcart Forest
- Dwessa
- Emgcwe Forest Reserve
- Fort Cunynghame
- Gwadana Forest Reserve
- Harris Krans Forest
- Hlobo Forest
- Ibika Forest Reserve
- Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
- Isidonge Forest Reserve
- Kei Mouth Forest Station
- Kentani Hill Forest Reserve
- Kologha Forest
- KuMpame Forest
- Kubusi Forest
- KwaCwebhe
- Langfield
- Lockharts Bush Forest Reserve
- Lower Blinkwater Forest
- Mangati Forest Reserve

…and 17 more.

### History

1 ruin.

- Fort Willshire

### Estates

4 estates.

- Mgomanzi Plantation
- Mgunduza Plantation
- Nqabara Plantation
- Willowvale Plantation

### Getting around

18 railway stations; 11 airfields; 2 airports; 2 bridges.

- Adelaide
- Adelaide
- Amabele
- Bedford
- Brighton Drift
- Butterworth
- Butterworth Airport
- Debe Nek
- Esher
- Fort Beaufort
- Fort Beaufort
- Happy Valley
- Hopewell
- Howard Shaw Bridge
- Idutywa
- Idutywa
- Katberg
- Kei Road
- Keimouth
- Kob Inn
- Komga
- Kroomie
- KwaNofodasi
- Lynedoch

…and 9 more.

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Amathole District and the best time to visit

In Amathole District, the warmest month is Feb (average 19 °C) and the coolest is Jul (10 °C). About 1,278 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (203 mm) and the driest May (29 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **April to June and August to September**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 19 203 

Feb 19 153 

Mar 18 127 

Apr 15 94 

May 13 29 

Jun 10 36 

Jul 10 38 

Aug 12 52 

Sep 14 74 

Oct 16 132 

Nov 17 168 

Dec 18 172 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Amathole District

Places mapped inside Amathole District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.

- Hospitals48
- Banks53
- ATMs30
- Petrol pumps53
- Hotels111
- Shopping malls4
- Schools1,102
- Colleges and universities17
- Pharmacies14
- Restaurants105
- Police stations19

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers

- Where is Amathole District?In Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- What is the population of Amathole District?789,726 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Amathole District?About 25 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Amathole District?About 37 people per km²
- What borders Amathole District?Buffalo City District, Cacadu District, Chris Hani District and O.R.Tambo District
- What is there to see in Amathole District?39 Steps Waterfall, Andrews State Forest, Auckland Forest Nature Reserve, Bead Beach
- What time zone is Amathole District in?UTC+2
- What currency is used in Amathole District?Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in Amathole District?Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Amathole District?996 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Amathole District?Settlements lie between 5 m and 1,666 m
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in Amathole District?4 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in Amathole District?Elandsberg (2,006 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Amathole District?April to June and August to September
- How many hospitals are in Amathole District?48 mapped
- How many banks are in Amathole District?53 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Amathole District?30 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Amathole District?53 mapped
- What is the P-code of Amathole District?ZA212 (OCHA common operational dataset)