Hamilton: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Hamilton: The median personal income of adults in Hamilton was NZ$42,200 a year at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: NZ$41,500). That is 4th highest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Health in Hamilton: Life expectancy at birth in Hamilton was 78.3 years for males and 82.0 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 79.2 and 83.0 in 2017-2019 (New Zealand 2022-2024: 80.1 and 83.5). That is the lowest female life expectancy of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Education in Hamilton: 29.0% of adults in Hamilton held a bachelor degree or higher as their highest qualification at the 2023 Census, and 14.6% had no qualification (New Zealand: 27.1% and 15.7%). That is 4th lowest degree share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Poverty and living standards in Hamilton: 19,650 people in Hamilton were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 10,521 on Jobseeker Support, 4,296 on Sole Parent Support and 4,554 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 102 for every 1,000 residents. That is the highest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Government budget and revenue in Hamilton: In the year ended June 2025, Hamilton City Council had operating income of NZ$417.63 million and operating expenditure of NZ$453.17 million, an operating deficit of NZ$35.54 million (Stats NZ local authority financial statistics; the council alone, so council-owned companies and trusts are not included). This is NZ$2,359 of operating spending per resident. That is 3rd lowest spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
What is the population of Hamilton?
Hamilton (Hamilton city territorial authority) had an estimated 192,100 residents at 30 June 2025, according to Stats NZ. This is a provisional estimate based on the 2023 Census. That is 4th highest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow fast is the population of Hamilton growing?
The population of Hamilton grew by 1.4% in the year to 30 June 2025 (from 189,500 to 192,100), including natural increase of 1,500 and net migration of +1,100 people (provisional Stats NZ estimates, rounded). That is the fastest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much has the population of Hamilton grown since the 2018 census?
The 2023 Census counted 174,741 usual residents in Hamilton, +8.6% on the 2018 Census count of 160,911. That is 2nd fastest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Hamilton?
20.6% of residents of Hamilton were aged under 15 and 12.2% were aged 65 or over at 30 June 2025 (provisional Stats NZ estimates). That is the youngest population of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the median age in Hamilton?
The median age in Hamilton was 33.7 years at 30 June 2025, compared with 38.1 years for New Zealand at the 2023 Census. That is the youngest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the ethnic make-up of Hamilton?
At the 2023 Census, 22.8% of people in Hamilton identified with the Asian ethnic group, 25.4% as Māori and 6.8% as Pacific Peoples (people can identify with more than one group). That is 2nd highest Asian share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many households are there in Hamilton?
Hamilton had 60,435 households at the 2023 Census, with an average of 2.8 usual residents per household.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWho runs Hamilton?
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
- 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: Hamilton City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6a430eff0640…)
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