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Portland

Safety 36/100 Safer than 41% of Cape Town suburbs (relative) Property 6-800k Top 72% Schools 16 93% matric pass rate Healthcare 13 facilities more access than most suburbs Council Near avg complaints 1d median resolution Transport Minibus taxi coverage well-connected area

Data current as of

The neighbourhood

What's it like to live here?

Portland is a neighbourhood in Cape Flats, Cape Town, where property values are moderate by Cape Town standards. The area's safety profile is around or above the city median for reported safety. There is a strong presence of places of worship serving the community. The dominant commuter mode is private vehicle. Policing falls under the Mitchells Plain SAPS precinct.

How is the area changing?

In Portland, crime levels are stable based on the most recent quarterly comparison. Property values have grown above inflation between valuation rolls. The suburb is within a City-designated Development Focus Area, signalling future investment and infrastructure priorities.

What should buyers know?

Portland is well-served by schools, and matric results are broadly in line with the city average. In this area, the City typically resolves service complaints promptly. The suburb is well-served by nearby healthcare facilities. Like many areas shaped by apartheid-era spatial planning, infrastructure and service indicators in Portland reflect decades of structural under-investment rather than current community capacity. Reported crime statistics should be read alongside policing density, reporting rates, and the legacy of the Group Areas Act.

Neighbourhood summary generated from StreetSignal data and reviewed by our team.

These statistics describe the suburb as a whole. Conditions vary between streets and neighbourhoods within any suburb.

For home buyers & families

Is Portland safe?

Moderate reported crime

73rd percentile among 744 suburbs · relative index, not an absolute safety measure

Very high Absolute crime volume
35 300 reported crimes per year · city median: 10 468
↑ 6.3% vs Q3 2024
Crime statistics here reflect decades of underinvestment in infrastructure and services, not the character of the community. Crime levels have held steady over the past year. Contact crime (assault, robbery) dominates the reported crime profile.

Detailed data

Safety index (resident-adjusted) How is this calculated? 36 / 100
Contact crime rate 1,253,169 per 100k residents
Station population 226 109
Harm rate (per resident) 81/100
Harm volume (absolute) 16/100
Data period Q3 2025/2026 (Oct–Dec 2025)
Source SAPS via DataFirst · CC-BY 4.0
Methodology note: The safety index combines harm-per-resident and absolute harm volume using a composite formula. In high-density precincts, population size dilutes the per-capita rate while absolute harm remains high. Both dimensions are reflected in the composite score.

This data reflects crimes reported to SAPS Mitchells Plain precinct, which covers Portland and surrounding suburbs. Reported crime may differ from actual crime levels. Full methodology

Disagree with this score? Challenge the methodology ›

Source: SAPS via DataFirst · Q3 2025/2026

FOR BUYERS & INVESTORS

What do properties cost in Portland?

28th percentile

City of Cape Town Development Focus Area

Portland is within the Mitchells Plain development focus area. The City of Cape Town has designated this area as a development priority, signalling committed public investment in infrastructure, services, and economic opportunity.

Source: CCT District Spatial Development Framework (January 2023). Development focus areas indicate City planning intent, not guaranteed timelines.

Planned development

23 hectares of land in Portland are earmarked for new development across 6 parcels, primarily Medium Density Residential (22ha) and High Density Residential (1ha).

Source: CCT District Spatial Development Framework (January 2023). Development areas indicate planning designation, not construction timelines.

The median property value in Portland is R830K. Property values have grown by 6.1% per year since 2018.

A 6.1% annual growth rate (CAGR) over the valuation period.
Value band distribution – Portland properties (GV2022)

Property values are based on the City of Cape Town's 2022 General Valuation roll. GV is an assessed value for municipal rating purposes; transaction prices frequently exceed GV. Recent sales transaction data and rental market data are not available as open data in South Africa.

Median GV2022 R830,000
Value growth (CAGR 2018–2022) +6.1% per year ↑ Growing
City-wide value percentile 28th percentile
Dominant value band 6-800k
Source CCT GV 2022 · Open Data Policy 27781

Source: City of Cape Town GV2022

FOR PARENTS

How are schools in Portland?

16 schools nearby

Portland has 16 schools within reach. The area matric pass rate is 93.4%, above the city median of 90.0%. Schools include Duneside Primary School.

Adjusted pass rate
93.4%
City median: 90.0%
Schools contributing
3
629 candidates
Median quintile
Q5
Q4-Q5
Q5
Duneside Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 877 learners · 32.5:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Harvester Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 973 learners · 32.4:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Hazeldene Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 923 learners · 36.9:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Jamaicaweg Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 797 learners · 34.7:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Liesbeeck Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 1,104 learners · 33.5:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Mitchell'S Plain Prim
Public · Grades R–7 · 1,166 learners · 33.3:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Montagu Drive Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 1,082 learners · 33.8:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Parkhurst Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 1,231 learners · 35.2:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Portland Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 790 learners · 31.6:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Ridgeville Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 1,072 learners · 33.5:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Wespoort Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 977 learners · 33.7:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Westville Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 1,187 learners · 34.9:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Mondale High School
Public · Grades 8–12 · 1,303 learners · 32.6:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Portland Secondary School
Public · Grades 8–12 · 1,511 learners · 36:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
Westridge Secondary School
Public · Grades 8–12 · 1,268 learners · 35.2:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
–
Beacon Skool
Public · Special needs · 279 learners · 9.6:1 learner-educator ratio
Specialist provision

Quintile 5 is the highest government-funding category - fees apply, but these are the best-resourced public schools in South Africa. Rankings set by the WCED against community socioeconomic index. Learner-educator ratio (LER) is from EMIS Q2 2025; under 30:1 is favourable by WCED standards, over 40:1 indicates strained capacity. What quintile means ›

Source: DBE EMIS · Q2 2025

FOR COMMUTERS

How connected is Portland?

Vehicle-led mix

Portland has 46 minibus taxi routes, including routes to the CBD. The most common way people get to work is by private vehicle (50%).

Taxi connectivity Ranks this suburb's taxi route access against all 744 Cape Town suburbs. Based on routes matched by name and within 500m of suburb centre. Large suburbs may have higher actual connectivity than shown. Full methodology ›

Well connected
46 routes
88th percentile · 42 destinations · CBD-connected
Routes pass through Portland but may not originate or terminate here. Connectivity index reflects geographic proximity to route corridors.
Cape town, Cape town (highlands dr, vanguard, n2), Cape town (via borcherds quarry & n2), Cape town (via merrydale), Cape town (via samora machel, vanguard, n2), Claremont (via merrydale, duinefontein & phillippi ring rd) +36 more
Based on CCT minibus taxi route data. Routes matched by name and spatial proximity (500m). Methodology ›

Commute mode share

A mixed transport profile. Multiple modes serve Portland – consider proximity to work when evaluating.
Private vehicle
50%
Walking
15%
MyCiTi bus
25%
Minibus taxi
10%
Cape Town transport context: In South African cities, transport mode is a socioeconomic proxy – high private vehicle = affluent, high minibus taxi = working class, high walking = structural necessity not preference. StreetSignal reports modal share rather than a walkability index, which would misrepresent SA urban mobility. Methodology ›
Dominant mode Private vehicle (50%)
Source CCT Household Survey 2024

Source: City of Cape Town Open Data · 2024

FOR RESIDENTS

What are living conditions in Portland?

Full municipal services

Portland has a service delivery index of 96.4 out of 100, above the city median of 84.5. 76% of dwellings are formal structures.

Computed from the City of Cape Town 2024 Household Survey , Portland/Rocklands/Westridge survey group (118 households). direct.

Food insecurity affects 26% of households - 1.4× the city average
› Adult food insecurity (25.8%) is 1.4× the city average of 18.3%.› Social grants reach 57% of households, providing a critical income safety net.

Food security

Adult food insecurity
25.8%
City median: 18.3%
Child food insecurity
13.4%
City median: 13.0%
Food insecurity prevalence
26.2%
City median: 22.3%

Access to basic services

96 City median: 85
Piped water
91.4%
Flush toilet
96.7%
Weekly refuse
99.1%
Grid electricity
98.5%

Housing & tenure – Mixed tenure community

76 City median: 68
Formal dwellings
75.8%
Owner-occupied
52.4%
Rented
19.9%

Environmental risk – Low risk exposure

10 risk index · higher = greater risk · City median: 26
Flooding risk
3.0%
Fire risk
1.1%
Violent crime
0.9%
Non-violent crime
2.8%

Economic structure – Moderate material pressure

Food spending share
38.0%
Share of income spent on food
City median: 35.3%
Comfortable, moderate discretionary income · 50th percentile
Hardship dimensions
2
Areas of material need (out of 8)
Grant income share
57.0%
of households receiving grants
Monthly savings
R34
Weighted mean per household

Spending priorities – top priority: Food

Food
90.7%
of households prioritise
Electricity
87.8%
of households prioritise
Petrol/transport
60.3%
of households prioritise
School fees
36.5%
of households prioritise
Rent/bond
30.5%
of households prioritise

Digital inclusion – Fibre-connected suburb

Home fibre
72.6%
City median: 46.5%
Mobile only
24.4%
No access
3.0%

Demographics & community

Avg household size
4.3 people
Avg children per household
1.3

Asset ownership

Computer access
50.8%
Fridge ownership
93.5%
Property ownership
0.0%
Geyser ownership
73.3%
Borehole access
4.0%

Home-based economy

Home-based business
10.8%
of households operate a home-based business
WFH part-time
3.2%

How Portland compares

Food insecurity 41% above the city average for adult food insecurity
Material hardship 33% above the city average for material hardship
Income 50% below the city average for median household income
Food spend share 8% above the city average for food expenditure share

Source: City of Cape Town 2024 Household Survey. Survey group: Portland/Rocklands/Westridge. direct.

Energy access
19%
Free basic electricity
5.6%
City median

19% of electricity connections in Portland receive free basic electricity under the City's indigent support programme. Free basic electricity is a constitutional entitlement providing a monthly allocation to qualifying households. The proportion reflects the reach of the City's indigent support in this suburb, not a measure of poverty.

Source: CCT prepaid electricity data (2025/11/30 to 2026/01/31). Covers prepaid connections only. Credit-metered households are not included. 13,221 connections.

Source: City of Cape Town household survey · 2024

FOR RESIDENTS

How responsive are municipal services in Portland?

Highly responsive

The City of Cape Town resolves service requests in Portland in a median of 1 day, compared to the city-wide median of 1 day. This is based on 10,434 service requests to the City of Cape Town.

Computed from City of Cape Town service request data
Infrastructure problems get fixed fast. The median resolution under one day means Portland residents experience responsive municipal service – a signal of well-maintained infrastructure and efficient complaint routing.
1
Median days to resolve
City median: 1
83rd
Percentile
across Cape Town
37%
Resolved
same day
Single street light out (8%)Power outage (7%)Street lights out (6%)Indigent Application (5%)Customer : Reconnection Request (5%)
Service requests logged 10 434
Requests resolved 82% (8 600 of 10 434)
75% resolved within 4 days
90% resolved within 12 days
Source CCT service request database
Community & faith

Places of worship

19 registered
Christian
18
Islamic
1

Registered places of worship per suburb from City of Cape Town open data. Coverage: 299 of 744 suburbs.

Municipal complaints

Complaints & top issues

Near city average
Complaint rate How is this calculated? 1472.9 per 1,000 households
Total complaints 10 411
Unresolved 18.0%

Top issues: Street Lights - Single Light Out (819), No Power (705), Street Lights - All Lights Out (589)

Source: City of Cape Town C3 service requests

FOR FAMILIES

What services are near Portland?

Well served

Healthcare access

13 within 5km
Nearest public Eastridge Clinic · Community Day Centre · 0.9 km
Nearest private Melomed Mitchells Plain · Private Hospital · 0.9 km
Public facilities 12
Private facilities 1

This suburb has access to both public and private healthcare within 5 km.

The nearest fire station to Portland is Mitchells Plain, 2.0 km away. The nearest public pool is Westridge Swimming Pool, 1.3 km away. The nearest clinic is Eastridge Clinic, 0.9 km away.

Nearest clinic Eastridge Clinic · 0.9 km
Nearest library Mitchell'S Plain · 0.9 km
Nearest park / open space Nile Way Park · 0.48 km

Fire station

2
km to nearest
fire station
Mitchells Plain
divisional hq
within-5km
response
category

Cape Town has 32 fire stations serving 744 suburbs. Source: CCT open data.

Public swimming pools

1.3
km to nearest
public pool
4
pools
within 5 km
12
pools
within 10 km
Nearest pool Westridge Swimming Pool

Cape Town operates 35 public swimming pools. Source: CCT open data.

Distances straight-line from suburb centroid.

Source: City of Cape Town facility registry

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Explore surrounding areas

Bordering suburbs

6 adjacent

Suburbs that border or sit adjacent to Portland. Each has its own safety profile, property market, and service data.

Eastridge Lentegeur Mitchells Plain Cbd Rocklands Westridge Mitchells Plain Woodlands
Building on this data? Access all 744 suburbs via the free REST API or explore commercial access.
Explore rankings: Safest suburbs Best for families Affordable + safe

Portland · -34.0503°S, 18.6136°E

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