Economy, jobs and prices in Dunedin, New Zealand: official figures
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.
What is the median household income in Dunedin?
The median household income in Dunedin was NZ$80,500 a year in 2023, up from NZ$62,000 at the 2018 Census (New Zealand in 2023: NZ$97,000). That is the lowest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Dunedin?
At the 2023 Census, 60.6% of people aged 15 and over in Dunedin were employed (full-time or part-time) and the unemployment rate was 5.0% of the labour force (New Zealand: 64.6% employed and 4.4% unemployed). That is 2nd highest unemployment of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many jobs are there in Dunedin?
Stats NZ counted 61,000 employees working in Dunedin in February 2025, which is 46 for every 100 residents. That is 3rd fewest jobs per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Dunedin?
There were 13,050 businesses (geographic units) in Dunedin in February 2025, or 98 per 1,000 residents. That is 2nd lowest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Dunedin?
The biggest industries for employed residents of Dunedin at the 2023 Census were health care and social assistance (13.5%), education and training (13.2%), retail trade (9.4%).
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people in Dunedin work from home?
At the 2023 Census, 12.6% of employed residents of Dunedin mainly worked at home on census day. That is 2nd lowest share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many new homes are being built in Dunedin?
Councils consented 517 new dwellings in Dunedin in the year ended March 2026, compared with 460 the year before (3.9 per 1,000 residents). That is 4th fewest consents per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Dunedin?
The median weekly rent paid by households in Dunedin was NZ$400 at the 2023 Census, up from NZ$280 in 2018 (New Zealand: NZ$450). That is the lowest rent of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people own their home in Dunedin?
68.1% of households in Dunedin owned their home or held it in a family trust at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 66.0%). That is 4th highest home ownership of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many households in Dunedin have no car?
8.8% of households in Dunedin had no motor vehicle at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 6.3%). That is 2nd highest share without a vehicle of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many people in Dunedin have internet access?
90.8% of people in Dunedin had access to the internet at home at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: 90.5%). That is 3rd lowest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow Dunedin compares with other cities in New Zealand
Median personal income of adults (2023 Census)
Dunedin ranks 8 of 8, highest first. Napier-Hastings is left out because it is two separate territorial authorities with separate medians.
| Rank | City | Median personal income of adults |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Lower Hutt | NZ$47,800 |
| 3 | Auckland | NZ$44,700 |
| 4 | Hamilton | NZ$42,200 |
| 5 | Tauranga | NZ$42,100 |
| 6 | Christchurch | NZ$40,400 |
| 7 | Whangarei District | NZ$36,500 |
| 8 | Dunedin | NZ$33,500 |
Unemployment rate (2023 Census)
Dunedin ranks 2 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamilton | 5.6% |
| 2 | Dunedin | 5.0% |
| 3 | Auckland | 4.8% |
| 4 | Whangarei District | 4.6% |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | 4.4% |
| 6 | Napier-Hastings | 4.2% |
| 7 | Christchurch | 4.1% |
Employees working in the area per 100 residents (February 2025)
Dunedin ranks 7 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employees working in the area per 100 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Hamilton | 55 |
| 4 | Napier-Hastings | 50 |
| 5 | Auckland | 48 |
| 6 | Tauranga | 46 |
| 7 | Dunedin | 46 |
| 8 | Lower Hutt | 41 |
| 9 | Whangarei District | 38 |
Median weekly rent (2023 Census)
Dunedin ranks 8 of 8, highest first. Napier-Hastings is left out because it is two separate territorial authorities with separate medians.
| Rank | City | Median weekly rent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Tauranga | NZ$550 |
| 3 | Auckland | NZ$540 |
| 4 | Hamilton | NZ$465 |
| 5 | Lower Hutt | NZ$450 |
| 6 | Whangarei District | NZ$420 |
| 7 | Christchurch | NZ$415 |
| 8 | Dunedin | NZ$400 |
More on Dunedin: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in New Zealand
Sources
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Dunedin City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 afbcce4c68fc…)
- Stats NZ: 2023 Census place summaries and other area data: Wellington City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c078d1c26a…)
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