Wellington: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Wellington: The median personal income of adults in Wellington was NZ$55,500 a year at the 2023 Census (New Zealand: NZ$41,500). That is the highest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Health in Wellington: Life expectancy at birth in Wellington was 82.1 years for males and 85.2 years for females in 2022-2024, compared with 81.6 and 84.5 in 2017-2019 (New Zealand 2022-2024: 80.1 and 83.5). That is the highest female life expectancy of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Education in Wellington: 48.6% of adults in Wellington held a bachelor degree or higher as their highest qualification at the 2023 Census, and 6.8% had no qualification (New Zealand: 27.1% and 15.7%). That is the highest degree share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Poverty and living standards in Wellington: 11,298 people in Wellington were receiving a main benefit in September 2026: 6,909 on Jobseeker Support, 1,041 on Sole Parent Support and 3,147 on the Supported Living Payment (Ministry of Social Development, numbers rounded to base 3). This is 54 for every 1,000 residents. That is the lowest rate of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
- Government budget and revenue in Wellington: In the year ended June 2025, Wellington City Council had operating income of NZ$821.21 million and operating expenditure of NZ$923.68 million, an operating deficit of NZ$102.48 million (Stats NZ local authority financial statistics; the council alone, so council-owned companies and trusts are not included). This is NZ$4,382 of operating spending per resident. That is the highest spending per resident of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
What is the population of Wellington?
Wellington (Wellington city territorial authority) had an estimated 210,800 residents at 30 June 2025, according to Stats NZ. This is a provisional estimate based on the 2023 Census. That is 3rd highest of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow fast is the population of Wellington growing?
The population of Wellington fell by 0.4% in the year to 30 June 2025 (from 211,600 to 210,800), including natural increase of 750 and net migration of -1,500 people (provisional Stats NZ estimates, rounded). That is the slowest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow much has the population of Wellington grown since the 2018 census?
The 2023 Census counted 202,689 usual residents in Wellington, 0.0% on the 2018 Census count of 202,737. That is the slowest growth of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Wellington?
14.0% of residents of Wellington were aged under 15 and 12.3% were aged 65 or over at 30 June 2025 (provisional Stats NZ estimates). That is 2nd youngest population of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the median age in Wellington?
The median age in Wellington was 35.7 years at 30 June 2025, compared with 38.1 years for New Zealand at the 2023 Census. That is 2nd youngest of 8 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWhat is the ethnic make-up of Wellington?
At the 2023 Census, 20.4% of people in Wellington identified with the Asian ethnic group, 9.8% as Māori and 5.7% as Pacific Peoples (people can identify with more than one group). That is 3rd highest Asian share of 9 cities and districts covered on this site.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyHow many households are there in Wellington?
Wellington had 77,004 households at the 2023 Census, with an average of 2.6 usual residents per household.
Source: Stats NZ · saved copyWho runs Wellington?
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
- 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: Wellington City (CSV export), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c078d1c26a…)
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