Lower Hutt: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Lower Hutt: The median personal income of adults in Lower Hutt was NZ$47,800 a year at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: NZ$41,500). That is 2nd highest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Health in Lower Hutt: Life expectancy at birth in Lower Hutt was 79.5 years for males and 83.1 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 79.3 and 82.8 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 Lower Hutt: 29.2% of adults in Lower Hutt held a bachelor degree or higher as their highest qualification at the 2023 Census, and 15.2% had no qualification (New Zealand: 27.1% and 15.7%). That is 3rd highest degree share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Poverty and living standards in Lower Hutt: 9,996 people in Lower Hutt were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 5,400 on Jobseeker Support, 1,824 on Sole Parent Support and 2,667 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 88 for every 1,000 residents. That is 4th highest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Government budget and revenue in Lower Hutt: In the year ended June 2025, Hutt City Council had operating income of NZ$272.75 million and operating expenditure of NZ$325.86 million, an operating deficit of NZ$53.11 million (Stats NZ local authority financial statistics; the council alone, so council-owned companies and trusts are not included). This is NZ$2,853 of operating spending per resident. That is 4th highest spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
What is the population of Lower Hutt?
Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt city territorial authority) had an estimated 114,200 residents at 30 June 2025, according to Stats NZ. This is a provisional estimate based on the 2023 Census. That is 2nd lowest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow fast is the population of Lower Hutt growing?
The population of Lower Hutt grew by 0.7% in the year to 30 June 2025 (from 113,400 to 114,200), including natural increase of 690 and net migration of +140 people (provisional Stats NZ estimates, rounded). That is 4th fastest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much has the population of Lower Hutt grown since the 2018 census?
The 2023 Census counted 107,562 usual residents in Lower Hutt, +2.9% on the 2018 Census count of 104,532. That is 3rd slowest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Lower Hutt?
18.7% of residents of Lower Hutt were aged under 15 and 15.1% were aged 65 or over at 30 June 2025 (provisional Stats NZ estimates). That is 4th youngest population of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the median age in Lower Hutt?
The median age in Lower Hutt was 37.7 years at 30 June 2025, compared with 38.1 years for New Zealand at the 2023 Census. That is 3rd oldest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the ethnic make-up of Lower Hutt?
At the 2023 Census, 18.6% of people in Lower Hutt identified with the Asian ethnic group, 19.6% as Māori and 12.2% as Pacific Peoples (people can identify with more than one group). That is 4th highest Asian share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many households are there in Lower Hutt?
Lower Hutt had 39,027 households at the 2023 Census, with an average of 2.7 usual residents per household.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWho runs Lower Hutt?
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
- Dunedin 132,800
- 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: Lower Hutt City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 612b4ecf5365…)
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