Christchurch: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Christchurch: The median personal income of adults in Christchurch was NZ$40,400 a year at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: NZ$41,500). That is 3rd lowest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Health in Christchurch: Life expectancy at birth in Christchurch was 79.9 years for males and 83.1 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 79.6 and 83.5 in 2017-2019 (New Zealand 2022-2024: 80.1 and 83.5). That is joint 4th highest female life expectancy of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Education in Christchurch: 29.2% of adults in Christchurch held a bachelor degree or higher as their highest qualification at the 2023 Census, and 14.5% had no qualification (New Zealand: 27.1% and 15.7%). That is 4th highest degree share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Poverty and living standards in Christchurch: 32,235 people in Christchurch were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 14,877 on Jobseeker Support, 4,917 on Sole Parent Support and 12,105 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 77 for every 1,000 residents. That is 5th highest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Government budget and revenue in Christchurch: In the year ended June 2025, Christchurch City Council had operating income of NZ$1.1 billion and operating expenditure of NZ$1.1 billion, an operating deficit of NZ$34.68 million (Stats NZ local authority financial statistics; the council alone, so council-owned companies and trusts are not included). This is NZ$2,695 of operating spending per resident. That is 4th lowest spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
What is the population of Christchurch?
Christchurch (Christchurch city territorial authority) had an estimated 419,200 residents at 30 June 2025, according to Stats NZ. This is a provisional estimate based on the 2023 Census. That is 2nd highest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow fast is the population of Christchurch growing?
The population of Christchurch grew by 0.9% in the year to 30 June 2025 (from 415,300 to 419,200), including natural increase of 1,300 and net migration of +2,700 people (provisional Stats NZ estimates, rounded). That is 3rd fastest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much has the population of Christchurch grown since the 2018 census?
The 2023 Census counted 391,383 usual residents in Christchurch, +6.1% on the 2018 Census count of 369,006. That is 4th fastest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Christchurch?
16.3% of residents of Christchurch were aged under 15 and 16.5% were aged 65 or over at 30 June 2025 (provisional Stats NZ estimates). That is 5th oldest population of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the median age in Christchurch?
The median age in Christchurch was 37.6 years at 30 June 2025, compared with 38.1 years for New Zealand at the 2023 Census. That is 4th oldest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the ethnic make-up of Christchurch?
At the 2023 Census, 17.1% of people in Christchurch identified with the Asian ethnic group, 11.2% as Māori and 4.3% as Pacific Peoples (people can identify with more than one group). That is 5th highest Asian share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many households are there in Christchurch?
Christchurch had 149,442 households at the 2023 Census, with an average of 2.5 usual residents per household.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWho runs Christchurch?
In New Zealand, cities and towns are run by regional councils: Councillors elected for three years; the chair is elected by councillors. Environment, freshwater, regional transport, civil defence.
How local power works in New Zealand
Cities of a similar size in New Zealand
- Auckland 1,816,000
- Wellington 210,800
- Hamilton 192,100
- Tauranga 161,000
- Napier-Hastings 154,700
- Dunedin 132,800
- Lower Hutt 114,200
- Whangarei District 100,600
Up a level: all cities in New Zealand · New Zealand · government and power
Sources
- Stats NZ: Local authority financial statistics: Year ended June 2025 (CSV), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b12af625c966…)
- Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand): Benefit Fact Sheets: Territorial Authorities (TA) data tables, September 2026, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9e82549b2b86…)
- Stats NZ: Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2025 (provisional), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 001e8a896cfb…)
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Christchurch City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d5b1addd1fc…)
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