Editing Cape Town (section)

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations|type=ZA|percentages=pagr|cols=2
| 1658|360
| 1731|3157
| 1823|15500
| 1833|19227
| 1836|20000
| 1875|45000
| 1891|67000
| 1901|171000
| 1936|344223
| 1950|618000
| 1955|705000
| 1960|803000
| 1965|945000
| 1970|1114000
| 1975|1339000
| 1980|1609000
| 1985|1933000
| 1990|2296000
| 1996|2565018
| 2001|2892243
| 2007|3497097
| 2011|3740025
| 2016|4004793
| 2021|4678900
| 2022|4772846
| 2023|4890000
| 2024|4978000
| 2025|5064000
| footnote={{nowrap|Note: Census figures (1996–2011) cover}} figures after 1994 reflect the greater Cape Town metropolitan municipality reflecting post-1994 reforms. '''Sources:''' 1658–1904,<ref name="C1875" /> 1823,<ref name="morse1823">{{Citation |last=Jedidiah Morse |title=A New Universal Gazetteer |year=1823 |chapter=Cape town |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/newuniversalgaze00morsrich#page/150/mode/1up |edition=4th |place=New Haven |publisher=S. Converse |ol=7216242M |last2=Richard C. Morse |author-link=Jedidiah Morse}}</ref> 1833,<ref name="Martin 1836 113" /> 1936,<ref name="yearbook1936">{{Cite book |last=Malherbe |first=E.G. |title=Official Year Book of the Union of South Africa and of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland |publisher=Union of South Africa |year=1939 |volume=20 |location=Pretoria |pages=1044}}</ref> 1950–1990,<ref name="Mongabay">{{Cite web |title=Population estimates for Cape Town, South Africa, 1950–2015 |url=http://books.mongabay.com/population_estimates/full/Cape_Town-South_Africa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101061828/http://books.mongabay.com/population_estimates/full/Cape_Town-South_Africa.html |archive-date=1 November 2014 |access-date=23 July 2014 |publisher=Mongabay.com}}</ref> 1996,<ref name="CT1996">{{Cite web |title=Census 96 : Community Profile |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/1996census/Documents/Statistics%20South%20Africa%20Census%2096Community%20profile.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726110945/https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/1996census/Documents/Statistics%20South%20Africa%20Census%2096Community%20profile.htm |archive-date=26 July 2014 |access-date=23 July 2014 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref> 2001, and 2011 Census;<ref name="CT2011">{{Cite web |title=City of Cape Town – 2011 Census – Cape Town |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/Documents/2011%20Census/2011_Census_Cape_Town_Profile.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001817/https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/Documents/2011%20Census/2011_Census_Cape_Town_Profile.pdf |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=23 July 2014 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref>
2007,<ref name="CT2007">{{Cite web |last=Small, Karen |date=December 2008 |title=Demographic and Socio-economic Trends for Cape Town: 1996 to 2007 |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/CityReports/Documents/2007%20Community%20Survey%20Summary.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193731/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/CityReports/Documents/2007%20Community%20Survey%20Summary.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=23 July 2014 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref> 2016 & 2021,<ref name="SOCT2022">{{Cite web |date=June 2023 |title=State of Cape Town Report 2022 |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/SOCT_Report_Summary_2022.pdf |access-date=13 May 2024 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref> 2022<ref name="Census2022">{{Cite web |date=October 2023 |title=Census 2022: Cape Town Trends and Changes |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/Census_2022_Trends_and_Changes.pdf |access-date=13 May 2024 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref> 2023, 2024, & 2025<ref name="Macrotrends-CapeTown2024">{{Cite web |title=Cape Town, South Africa Metro Area Population 1950–2025 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/22481/cape-town/population |access-date=3 April 2025 |publisher=Macrotrends}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Cape Town population pyramid.svg|thumb|Cape Town population pyramid in 2011]]
[[File:Cape Town population density map.svg|thumb|Population density in Cape Town]]

According to the [[South African National Census of 2011]], the population of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality{{dash}}an area that includes suburbs and [[exurb]]s{{dash}}is 3,740,026 people. This represents an annual growth rate of 2.6% compared to the results of the [[South African National Census of 2001|previous census in 2001]] which found a population of 2,892,243 people.<ref name="wc-muni-report">{{Cite book |url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/census/census_2011/census_products/WC_Municipal_Report.pdf |title=Census 2011 Municipal report: Western Cape |publisher=Statistics South Africa |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-621-41459-2 |access-date=30 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113165154/http://www.statssa.gov.za/census/census_2011/census_products/WC_Municipal_Report.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{rp|54}}

Of those residents who were asked about their [[first language]], 35.7% spoke [[Afrikaans]], 29.8% spoke [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]] and 28.4% spoke [[South African English|English]]. 24.8% of the population is under the age of 15, while 5.5% is 65 or older.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|64}} The [[Human sex ratio|sex ratio]] is 0.96, meaning that there are slightly more women than men.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|55}}

Of those residents aged 20 or older, 1.8% have no schooling, 8.1% have some schooling but did not finish primary school, 4.6% finished primary school but have no secondary schooling, 38.9% have some secondary schooling but did not finish [[Grade 12]], 29.9% finished Grade 12 but have no higher education, and 16.7% have higher education.

Overall, 46.6% have at least a Grade 12 education.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|74}} Of those aged between 5 and 25, 67.8% are attending an educational institution.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|78}} Amongst those aged between 15 and 65 the unemployment rate is 23.7%.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|79}} The average annual household income is [[South African rand|R]]161,762.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|88}}

The total number of households grew from 653,085 in 1996 to 1,068,572 in 2011, which represents an increase of 63.6%.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|81}} The average number of household members declined from 3,92 in 1996 to 3,50 in 2011.<ref name="Cape Town 2016">{{Cite book |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/16429%20COCT%20State%20of%20Cape%20Town%20Report%202016%20FINAL.pdf |title=State of Cape Town Report 2016 |year=2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118030745/http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/16429%20COCT%20State%20of%20Cape%20Town%20Report%202016%20FINAL.pdf |archive-date=18 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Of those households, 78.4% are in formal structures (houses or [[apartment|flats]]), while 20.5% are in informal structures ([[Shanty town|shacks]]).<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|81}}

97.3% of City-supplied households have access to electricity,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2019 |title=Progress with housing and power |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms,%20notices,%20tariffs%20and%20lists/CityNews_49_Central.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005101313/https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms,%20notices,%20tariffs%20and%20lists/CityNews_49_Central.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021 |work=City News}}</ref> and 94.0% of households use [[mains electricity|electricity]] for lighting.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|84}} 87.3% of households have [[water supply|piped water]] to the dwelling, while 12.0% have piped water through a communal tap.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|85}} 94.9% of households have regular [[refuse collection]] service.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|86}}

91.4% of households have a [[flush toilet]] or [[chemical toilet]], while 4.5% still use a bucket toilet.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|87}} 82.1% of households have a [[refrigerator]], 87.3% have a television and 70.1% have a radio. Only 34.0% have a landline telephone, but 91.3% have a cellphone. 37.9% have a computer, and 49.3% have access to the Internet (either through a computer or a cellphone).<ref name="wc-muni-report" />

In 2011 over 70% of cross provincial South African migrants coming into the Western Cape settled in Cape Town; 53.64% of South African migrants into the Western Cape came from the [[Eastern Cape]], the old Cape Colony's former native reserve, and 20.95% came from Gauteng province.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Derek |date=20 January 2021 |title=South African internal migrants fare better in the job market in two regions |url=http://theconversation.com/south-african-internal-migrants-fare-better-in-the-job-market-in-two-regions-152786 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706182455/https://theconversation.com/south-african-internal-migrants-fare-better-in-the-job-market-in-two-regions-152786 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=The Conversation |language=en}}</ref>

According to the 2016 City of Cape Town community survey, there were 4,004,793 people in the City of Cape Town metro. Out of this population, 45.7% identified as Black African, 35.1% identified as Coloured, 16.2% identified as White and 1.6% identified as Asian.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Cape Town Community Survey |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Maps%20and%20statistics/2016%20Community%20Survey%20Cape%20Town%20Trends.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516090225/https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Maps%20and%20statistics/2016%20Community%20Survey%20Cape%20Town%20Trends.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2021}}</ref>

During the outbreak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa]], local media reported that increasing numbers of wealthy and middle-class South Africans have started moving from inland areas to coastal regions of the country, most notably Cape Town, in a phenomenon referred to as "''semigration''" – short for "semi-emigration"<ref name="Staff Writer">{{Cite web |last=Staff Writer |title=More Gauteng residents are semigrating to the Western Cape – here's where they are moving to |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/549054/more-gauteng-residents-are-semigrating-to-the-western-cape-heres-where-they-are-moving-to/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913201803/https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/549054/more-gauteng-residents-are-semigrating-to-the-western-cape-heres-where-they-are-moving-to/ |archive-date=13 September 2022 |access-date=23 January 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Joburg is in decline, and its professionals are moving – many to Cape Town' |url=https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/419585/johannesburg-is-in-decline-and-its-professionals-are-moving-many-to-cape-town |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601174159/https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/419585/johannesburg-is-in-decline-and-its-professionals-are-moving-many-to-cape-town |archive-date=1 June 2022 |access-date=23 January 2022 |website=CapeTalk |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Buthelezi |first=Londiwe |title='City of Gold' sparkles no more – Joburg has become property sector's weakest link |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/economy/south-africa/city-of-gold-sparkles-no-more-joburg-has-become-property-sectors-weakest-link-20210622 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708081157/https://www.news24.com//fin24/economy/south-africa/city-of-gold-sparkles-no-more-joburg-has-become-property-sectors-weakest-link-20210622 |archive-date=8 July 2022 |access-date=23 January 2022 |website=Fin24 |language=en-US}}</ref> Declining municipal services in the rest of the country and the [[South African energy crisis]] are other cited reasons for semigration.<ref>{{Citation |title=Alan Winde on booming Western Cape semigration – up another 20% this year to over 120k |publication-date=8 December 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX24kOPim4I |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208123801/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX24kOPim4I |archive-date=8 December 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Biznews]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, the city expected its population to grow by an additional 400,000 residents between 2020 and 2025 with 76% of those new residents falling into the low-income bracket earning less than {{Currency|13000|ZAR}} a month.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 May 2022 |title=Cape Town expects a population boom over the next five years – with changes planned for electricity supply |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/591828/cape-town-expects-a-population-boom-over-the-next-five-years-with-changes-planned-for-electricity-supply/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617202726/https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/591828/cape-town-expects-a-population-boom-over-the-next-five-years-with-changes-planned-for-electricity-supply/ |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=Businesstech.co.za |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

According to the United Nations' World Urbanization Prospects (2018), Cape Town's population is projected to continue growing steadily over the next decade. Based on estimates compiled by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs in 2018, the city's population is expected to reach approximately 5.468 million by 2030, and roughly 5.845 million by 2035.<ref name="UNWUP2018">{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=World Urbanization Prospects 2018: Population in Cities Classified by Size Class of Urban Settlement |url=https://population.un.org/wup/assets/Download/WUP2018-F17d-City_Size_Class-Population.xls |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |publisher=Population Division}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{See also|Religion in South Africa}}
[[File:00000-St Georges Cathedral-Cape Town-s.jpg|thumb|[[St. George's Cathedral, Cape Town|St George's Anglican Cathedral]] is one of the largest and oldest religious sites in the city.]]
In the 2015 General Household Survey 82.3% of respondents self identified as [[Christians|Christian]], 8% as [[Muslims|Muslim]], 3.8% as following a [[Traditional African religions|traditional African religion]] and 3.1% as "nothing in particular."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Farrar |first=Thomas J. |last2=Falake |first2=Khanyisane A. |last3=Mebaley |first3=Adriel |last4=Moya |first4=Mandisi D. |last5=Rudolph |first5=Ivor I. |date=2019 |title=A Mall Intercept Survey on Religion and Worldview in the Cape Flats of Cape Town, South Africa |journal=Journal for the Study of Religion |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=1–30 |doi=10.17159/2413-3027/2019/v32n1a3 |doi-broken-date=2 December 2024 |issn=1011-7601 |s2cid=202175851 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Most [[places of worship]] in the city are Christian churches and cathedrals: [[Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK)]], [[Zion Christian Church]], [[Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa]], [[Assemblies of God]], [[Baptist Union of Southern Africa]] (Baptist World Alliance), [[Methodist Church of Southern Africa]] (World Methodist Council), [[Anglican Church of Southern Africa]] (Anglican Communion), [[Presbyterian Church of Africa]] (World Communion of Reformed Churches), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town]] (Catholic Church),<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=South Africa |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa |access-date=7 July 2019 |edition=Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629053318/https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa |archive-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> the [[Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria|Orthodox Archbishopric of Good Hope]] ([[Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St George]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greek Orthodox Archbishopric website |url=http://www.goarch.co.za/our-churches/cape-town/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125070624/http://www.goarch.co.za/our-churches/cape-town/ |archive-date=25 January 2022 |access-date=26 June 2022}}</ref> and [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Africa South Area |url=https://africasouth.churchofjesuschrist.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519182810/https://africasouth.churchofjesuschrist.org/ |archive-date=19 May 2022 |access-date=16 May 2022 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}</ref>

[[Islam]] is the city's second largest religion with a [[Islam in South Africa|long history in Cape Town]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=tinashe |date=13 January 2012 |title=History of Muslims in South Africa: 1652 – 1699 by Ebrahim Mahomed Mahida |url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/history-muslims-south-africa-1652-1699-ebrahim-mahomed-mahida |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110211316/http://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/history-muslims-south-africa-1652-1699-ebrahim-mahomed-mahida |archive-date=10 January 2019 |access-date=23 August 2019 |website=South African History Online}}</ref> resulting in a number of mosques and other Muslim religious sites spread across the city,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mosques – Cape Town Muslims |url=https://capetownmuslims.co.za/directory/directory-category/mosques/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121193724/http://capetownmuslims.co.za/directory/directory-category/mosques/ |archive-date=21 January 2019 |access-date=23 August 2019 |website=capetownmuslims.co.za}}</ref> such as the [[Auwal Mosque]], South Africa's first mosque.

Cape Town's significant [[History of the Jews in South Africa|Jewish population]] supports a number of synagogues most notably the historic [[Gardens Shul]], the oldest Jewish congregation in South Africa.<ref name="forward">[https://forward.com/news/175662/cape-towns-jewish-history-on-display/ Cape Town's Jewish History on Display] ''Forward''. 29 April 2013</ref> [[Marais Road Shul]] in the city's Jewish hub, [[Sea Point]], is the largest Jewish congregation in South Africa.<ref>[https://www.jta.org/archive/mandela-visits-cape-town-shul-and-reassures-jews-on-their-future Mandela Visits Cape Town Shul and Reassures Jews on Their Future] Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 10 May 1994</ref> [[Temple Israel (Cape Town)|Temple Israel]] (Cape Town Progressive Jewish Congregation) also has three temples in the city.<ref>[http://saupj.org.za/congregations/ Congregations] South African Union for Progressive Judaism. Accessed on 6 December 2019</ref> There is also a [[Chabad]] centre in Sea Point and a [[Chabad on Campus International Foundation|Chabad on Campus]] at the [[University of Cape Town]], catering to Jewish students.<ref>[https://cjc.org.za/2015/12/01/a-first-for-cape-town/ A first for Cape Town] ''Cape Jewish Chronicle''. 1 December 2015</ref>

Other religious sites in the city include [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] temples and centres.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Gajjar |first=Neerali |title="A Tale of Two Temples": An Exploration of Caste in Cape Town |date=2016 |degree=MA |publisher=University of the Witwatersrand}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dessì |first=Ugo |date=2 September 2022 |title=Trajectories of East Asian Buddhism in South Africa: a comparative perspective |journal=Journal of Contemporary Religion |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=435–455 |doi=10.1080/13537903.2022.2124684 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Crime ===
[[File:Smash and Grab Hot Spot, Retreat (South Africa).jpg|thumb|Sign warning motorists about the prevalence of [[Smash and grab]] incidents at a crime Hot Spot on the [[M5 (Cape Town)|M5 freeway]], between [[Grassy Park]] and [[Retreat, Cape Town|Retreat]]]]

In recent years, Cape Town has experienced a resurgence in violent crime, particularly driven by gang violence in areas like the [[Cape Flats]]. This increase in violence is attributed to various factors including [[economic inequality]] (which can be linked to the legacy of [[apartheid|apartheid's]] spatial and social divisions), [[unemployment]], [[alcohol abuse]], the prevalence of illegal [[firearms]]], a lack of rehabilitation and support services for offenders leading to [[recidivism]], a lack of community safety organizations.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Dana |first=Joseph |date=22 August 2019 |title=Rising crime in post-apartheid South Africa speaks to a legacy of stark inequalities |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/rising-crime-in-post-apartheid-south-africa-speaks-to-a-legacy-of-stark-inequalities-1.901347 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref><ref name= "Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist">{{cite web|url= https://theconversation.com/violent-crime-in-south-africa-happens-mostly-in-a-few-hotspots-police-resources-should-focus-there-criminologist-248233 |title= Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist |author= Guy Lamb |publisher= The Conversation |date= 5 February 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Crime in Cape Town is a serious problem which affects the [[quality of life]] and safety of its residents and visitors. Between 2022 and 2023, Cape Town recorded the highest number of murders in a single year of any city in the world at 2,998, followed by [[Johannesburg]] and [[Durban]], an increase of 8.6% year-on-year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 August 2023 |title=These 3 South African cities now rank among the 20 most violent in the world |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/712786/these-3-south-african-cities-now-rank-among-the-20-most-violent-in-the-world/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[BusinessTech]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCain |first=Nicole |date=22 February 2024 |title=Western Cape murders climb by almost 9% |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/western-cape-murders-climb-by-almost-9-20240222 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[News24 (website)|News24]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Household crimes including [[burglary]] also increased in the same period.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Chris |date=14 November 2023 |title=Tourists to South Africa warned about 'smash and grab' attacks |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/tourists-south-africa-smash-grab-attacks-b2446874.html |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Mexico]]'s Citizen Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice ranks it among the most violent cities in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCain |first=Nicole |title=Cape Town ranks top in SA as one of 50 most violent cities in the world |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cape-town-ranks-top-in-sa-as-one-of-50-most-violent-cities-in-the-world-20220326 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401051723/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cape-town-ranks-top-in-sa-as-one-of-50-most-violent-cities-in-the-world-20220326 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=[[News24 (website)|News24]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

While the [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office|UK Foreign Office]] considers Cape Town safe to travel to, it notes the extremely high crime rates and highlights a particular increase on violent attacks and murders on the roads to and from [[Cape Town International Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xie |first=Qin |last2=Richardson |first2=Heather |date=4 June 2024 |title=Is it safe to travel to South Africa? Latest travel advice |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/africa-travel/south-africa/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-south-africa-jdkm5zmhj |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[The Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Safety and security – South Africa travel advice |url=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/safety-and-security |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]] |language=en}}</ref>

As with other major metropolitan areas in South Africa, the majority of crime in Cape Town tends to be concentrated in very specific areas, indicating the potential success of place-based crime intelligence methods.<ref name= "Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist"></ref> In Cape Town, a lot of the crime that occurs takes place in the neighborhoods of Philippi East, Delft, Nyanga, Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Elsies River, Bishop Lavis, Kleinvlei, and Mitchell's Plain, which are best avoided (even during transit) by tourists and locals alike.<ref name= "Crime stats: Murder down nearly 10%, but an average of 75 people killed daily">{{cite web|url= https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/crime-stats-murder-down-nearly-10-but-an-average-of-75-people-killed-daily-20250221 |title= Crime stats: Murder down nearly 10%, but an average of 75 people killed daily |author= Alex Mitchley |publisher= news24 |date= 21 February 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

In early 2025, the City of Cape Town announced that progress had been made in combatting crime, with crime levels in certain notorious areas decreasing, according to statistics based on community reporting of incidents of crime. Daily patrol officers were complimented for their efforts, and the City said it was working closely with the [[Western Cape Government]] and the [[South African Police Service]] to adjust its law enforcement efforts according to changes in the city's crime statistics.<ref name= "Cape Town police stations lead in SA murder statistics">{{cite web|url= https://capetimes.co.za/news/2024-11-26-cape-town-police-stations-lead-in-sa-murder-statistics/ |title= Cape Town police stations lead in SA murder statistics |author= Nicola Daniels |publisher= Cape Times |date= 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Despite the crime levels, the city's [[economy]] has grown, as a result of good governance, investments in infrastructure, and an attractive business environment, as well as due to growth in the local [[tourism]] and [[real estate]] industries.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Report: South Africa 2008 |publisher=Oxford Business Group |isbn=978-1-9023-3979-5 |editor-last=Jeffreys |editor-first=Andrew |page=159 |chapter=Caps off to the Western Cape |access-date=23 July 2019 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ikir7xF70_4C&pg=PA159 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427000105/https://books.google.com/books?id=ikir7xF70_4C&pg=PA159 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Since July 2019 widespread violent crime in poorer [[Gangs in South Africa|gang dominated]] areas of greater Cape Town has resulted in an ongoing military presence in these neighbourhoods.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48962265 "South Africa Deploys Army to Gang-Hit Cape Town"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909084333/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48962265|date=9 September 2019}} (12 July 2019). ''[[BBC News]]''. Retrieved 17 April 2020.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Baby Archie Begin First Official Tour as a Royal Family in Cape Town |url=https://time.com/5684069/prince-harry-meghan-begin-africa-tour/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923170009/https://time.com/5684069/prince-harry-meghan-begin-africa-tour/ |archive-date=23 September 2019 |access-date=24 September 2019}}</ref>

The minibus taxi industry has been the source of a number of [[Taxi wars in South Africa|violent confrontations]] in the city. The northern and eastern sections of the city was the scene of the [[2021 Cape Town taxi conflict]], a violent turf war which led to 83 deaths. The [[2023 Cape Town taxi strike]] resulted in 5 recorded deaths.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muller-Heyndyk |first=Rachel |date=9 August 2023 |title=British doctor murdered amid Cape Town taxi protests after 'taking wrong turn' |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/world/british-doctor-murdered-cape-town-protests-2535839 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[The i Paper]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Boynton |first=Graham |date=10 August 2023 |title='This week's murder of a British tourist in Cape Town came as no surprise to me' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africa/south-africa/cape-town/cape-town-south-africa-uk-tourist-murder-how-stay-safe/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

In 2025, Cape Town's Mayoral Committee Member (MCM) for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said that the expanded use of digital tools to complement law enforcement efforts has become part of the city's public safety operations. These tools include a vast network of CCTV cameras and drones, which have already proven successful in assisting with both arrests and prosecution.<ref name= "Large South African city using cameras and drones to stop crime">{{cite web|url= https://mybroadband.co.za/news/government/594689-large-south-african-city-using-cameras-and-drones-to-stop-crime.html |title= Large South African city using cameras and drones to stop crime |author= Daniel Puchert |publisher= MyBroadband |date= 14 May 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>