Dunedin: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Dunedin: The median personal income of adults in Dunedin was NZ$33,500 a year at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: NZ$41,500). That is the lowest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Health in Dunedin: Life expectancy at birth in Dunedin was 79.6 years for males and 82.9 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 79.8 and 83.6 in 2017-2019 (New Zealand 2022-2024: 80.1 and 83.5). That is 3rd lowest female life expectancy of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Education in Dunedin: 29.0% of adults in Dunedin held a bachelor degree or higher as their highest qualification at the 2023 Census, and 13.6% had no qualification (New Zealand: 27.1% and 15.7%). That is 5th highest degree share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Poverty and living standards in Dunedin: 8,919 people in Dunedin were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 3,792 on Jobseeker Support, 1,068 on Sole Parent Support and 3,876 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 67 for every 1,000 residents. That is 2nd lowest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Government budget and revenue in Dunedin: In the year ended June 2025, Dunedin City Council had operating income of NZ$348.41 million and operating expenditure of NZ$381.97 million, an operating deficit of NZ$33.56 million (Stats NZ local authority financial statistics; the council alone, so council-owned companies and trusts are not included). This is NZ$2,876 of operating spending per resident. That is 3rd highest spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
What is the population of Dunedin?
Dunedin (Dunedin city territorial authority) had an estimated 132,800 residents at 30 June 2025, according to Stats NZ. This is a provisional estimate based on the 2023 Census. That is 3rd lowest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow fast is the population of Dunedin growing?
The population of Dunedin fell by 0.1% in the year to 30 June 2025 (from 132,900 to 132,800), including natural increase of -90 and net migration of +50 people (provisional Stats NZ estimates, rounded). That is 2nd slowest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much has the population of Dunedin grown since the 2018 census?
The 2023 Census counted 128,901 usual residents in Dunedin, +2.1% on the 2018 Census count of 126,255. That is 2nd slowest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Dunedin?
14.2% of residents of Dunedin were aged under 15 and 17.8% were aged 65 or over at 30 June 2025 (provisional Stats NZ estimates). That is 4th oldest population of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the median age in Dunedin?
The median age in Dunedin was 37.3 years at 30 June 2025, compared with 38.1 years for New Zealand at the 2023 Census. That is 4th youngest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the ethnic make-up of Dunedin?
At the 2023 Census, 9.3% of people in Dunedin identified with the Asian ethnic group, 10.8% as Māori and 3.9% as Pacific Peoples (people can identify with more than one group). That is 3rd lowest Asian share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many households are there in Dunedin?
Dunedin had 49,188 households at the 2023 Census, with an average of 2.5 usual residents per household.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWho runs Dunedin?
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
- Christchurch 419,200
- Wellington 210,800
- Hamilton 192,100
- Tauranga 161,000
- Napier-Hastings 154,700
- 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: Dunedin City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 afbcce4c68fc…)
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