The small municipality that grew its tax base by 4 800 people in one year

The Drakenstein Municipality has had incredible success.

The municipality is the third richest in the Western Cape after the City of Cape Town and Stellenbosch.

Unlike other Western Cape municipalities, Drakenstein’s economy is supported by a large group of middle-income taxpayers.

What’s Driving Taxpayers to this Municipality?

Between 2023 and 2024, Drakenstein added 4 862 taxpayers to its population, according to tax statistics from the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

Stellenbosch, the Western Cape’s richest municipality, added 3 195 taxpayers.

Cape Town, the second-richest municipality, added 63 611.

During that year, the taxable income in Drakenstein rose by R1.6 billion.

This means the average income among its newest residents is R341 834.

Drakenstein is also the only one of the top 3 wealthiest Western Cape municipalities to have a decrease in the average taxable income.

The average taxable income declined by R325 in the latest data.

The municipality has successfully won over the middle class.

Many of Drakenstein’s newer residents are drawn to the area for its affordable property market, excellent service delivery, and good public schools.

The average home price in Wellington was R1.7 million in 2025.

In Cape Town, the average price was R2.1 million and in Stellenbosch, R2.2 million.

Middle Class Utopia

Drakenstein Municipality is well-run.

According to recent reports, the municipality has achieved 99.1% Capital Expenditure.

It also implemented a rates cap after legal consultation and collaboration with the National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA).

Now, rates on a 3-bedroom home in Paarl are R500. A home in Cape Town has rates of R1 014, and in Stellenbosch R750.

The area also has the fewest poverty-stricken residents of the Western Cape’s richest municipalities.

Only 18 707 residents in the municipality receive a Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.

In Stellenbosch, 31 020 residents receive the grant, and 310 794 get it in the City of Cape Town.

The limited reliance on government assistance is reflected in the municipality’s improved crime statistics.

Stellenbosch has a 9.9% crime rate, while Wellington has a 5.71% crime rate and Paarl a 5.96% rate.