At Independence, Dodoma Region was a part of What was the Central Province. In 1963 Dodoma Region wa established after separation of Singida and Dodoma Regions (The two were part of the former Central Province).
At its inception the Region consisted of the three rural Districts of Dodoma, Kondoa and Mpwapwa. Later on, the Urban District of Dodoma made up the fourth District. In 1995 Mpwapwa District was divided into two Districts namely Kongwa and Mpwapwa which made up the fifth District in the Region.
In 2007 Dodoma Rural District was Divided into two Districts of Bahi and Chamwino. This made up the sixth Distric, In 2012 Kondoa District was Divided into two Districts namely Kondoa and Chemba which finaly made the Region to have Seven Districts. .
Land Area and Administrative Units
The Region has a total land area of 41.311sq. kms. making it the 12th largest region of Tanzania Mainland out of 20. Some 5% of the Mainland is in Dodoma Region.
Area and Administrative Units
District
Area (km²)
Division
Wards
Mitaa
Villages
Dodoma
2,576
4
41
170
18
Bahi
5,949
4
22
-
59
Chamwino
8,056
5
36
-
107
Chemba
7,653
4
26
-
114
Kondoa
5,557
5
29
11
109
Kongwa
4,041
3
22
-
87
Mpwapwa
7,479
4
33
18
113
TOTAL
41,311
29
209
199
607
Source: PO - Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities
Population Size and Growth
Like Most Regions in Tanzania Mainland, the population of Dodoma Region has experienced a significant growth. The Region had 2,083,588 people in 2012 compared to 1,086,748 inhabitants counted in the 2002 Census. The Region represented 4.8 percent of the total population of Tanzania Mainland which was 43,625,354 in 2012. the projections for 2016 put the Regional population at 2,407,597 out of which, Females account for 51 percent of the population.
National and Dodoma Regional Population growth 1948 to 2012
Year
Population
Region as % of Nation
Annual Growth Rates %
Tanzania Mainland
Dodoma Region
National
Regional
1948
7,478,000
466,200
6.2
1.8
1.1
1957
8,786,000
514,400
5.9
1.8
1.1
1967
11,951,933
709,380
5.9
3.1
3.3
1978
17,036,499
972,005
5.7
3.2
2.9
1988
22,533,758
1,235,328
5.5
2.8
2.4
2002
33,584,607
1,698,996
5.1
2.9
2.3
2012
44,928,923
2,083,588
4.6
2.7
2.1
Source: Population Census Report of 1957,1967, 1978, 1988,2002 and 2012
Dodoma Regional Population by District 2012
District
Population (Number)
Average Household Size
Sex Ratio
Total
Male
Female
Tatal
2,083,588
1,014,974
1,068,614
4.6
95
Kondoa
269,704
136,518
133,186
4.8
103
Mpwapwa
305,056
147,306
157,750
4.6
93
Kongwa
309,973
149,221
160,752
5.0
93
Chamwino
330,543
158,882
171,661
4.5
93
Dodoma
410,956
199,487
211,469
4.4
94
Bahi
221,645
105,975
115,670
4.5
92
Chemba
235,711
117,585
118,126
4.7
100
Source: Population Census Report 2012
Population Density
Dodoma Region had ana average population density of 50 person per sq. km in 2012 and was considered to be moderately densely populated in Tanzania Mainland. It is projected that by the year 2022 Dodoma Region Region will have a total population of about 2,642,287 and an average population density of 60 people per square kilometer. The Region by its size is not considered to have land pressure.
Ethnic Groups
The main indigenous ethnic groups are Gogo, Rangi and Taturu. Others who form significant minorities are the Sandawe, Barbaig, Hadzabe, Kimbu, and the Sangu. In this latter group the Maasai and Wairaqi are the only ones who lead a totally nomadic pastoralist life and are hence to be found all over the region. The Watatoga who occupy the North-Western part of Kondoa District have the Distinction of being mainly hunters and honey Collectors. The Wasandawe are another group which requires special mention in that they are the remnants of a once large group of KHOISAN or click - speaking people. They are mainly found in Chemba District.
Geographical Location
Dodoma Region lies inland very close to the centre of Tanzania Mainland. Its location attracts the Tanzania Government to establish its Capital in Dodoma Municipality. Dodoma Region is located south of the equator between latitudes 6° 57' and 3° 82'. Longitudinally the Region is situated between 36° 26' and 35° 26' east of Greenwich. It boarders four Regions namely Manyara, Iringa, Singida and Morogoro. It is accessible from Manyara through Babati and Kateshi in Manyara Region; Dar es Salaam and Pwani through Morogoro and Tabora, Shinyanga and Mwanza through Manyoni in Singida Region. All the Roads are accessible through out the year.
Climate
Dodoma Region is mostly Semi-arid due to low and erratic rainfall. Rainfall is the most important climatic factor in the Region. It falls in a single rainy season between November/December and April/May. Generally these rains fall in heavy storms resulting in flash floods. Consequently about 60% of the precipitation becomes run-off rather than penetrating the soil for crop growth.
Total rainfall ranges from 500mm to 800mm per anum with high geographical, seasonal and annual variation.
The temperature in the Region vary according according to altitude but generally range from about 15ºC in July to 30ºC during the month of October. Moreover, temperature differences are observed between day and night and may be very high with hot afternoons going up to 35ºC and chilly nights going down to 10ºC.
Topography
Dodoma Region occupies the Northern part of the central plateu of Tanzania which has elevations ranging from 1,200m to 1,500m above sea level. Surrounding the Region on all sides except the South-Eastern boundary with a major scarp of up to 180 Meters high which is the Eastern part of the Great Rift Valley. Topographically Dodoma Region forms party of the Central Plateu of Eastern Africa extending from Ethiopia in the North to the Transvaa in the South.
