Region · Stats NZ · MBIE
Canterbury in numbers
Canterbury had an estimated 703,360 people at 30 June 2026, up 4.3% since the 2023 Census, 2nd of 16 regions for growth. Selwyn district is growing fastest (+10.7%); Timaru district has −0.2%. 30% of households rent, at a median of $550 a week.
People, June 2026
703,360
+4.3% (+28,680) since the 2023 Census
Latest year
+1.1%
+7,470 people, June 2025 to June 2026
Median weekly rent
$550
Lower quartile $470, upper $646. 56,910 active bonds. MBIE, July 2026
Median full-time earnings
$1,563 a week
June 2026, +1.8% on the year
Employment rate
69%
Unemployment 4.4%, participation 72.2%. Employment −0.2 pp on a year ago. 2026 Q1
Population, 1996 to 2026
Estimated resident population at 30 June, the sum of the region’s districts. Dark bars: first year, 2023 Census base, latest.
Population by year, 2019 to 2026
| 30 June | People | Change on the year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 630,210 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 643,970 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 650,680 | +1% |
| 2022 | 656,360 | +0.9% |
| 2023 | 674,680 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | 687,770 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | 695,890 | +1.2% |
| 2026 | 703,360 | +1.1% |
How Canterbury households hold their homes
- 60% own their home
- 30% rent
- 10% held in a family trust
247,710 households, 2023 Census.
Districts in Canterbury
Each district below is a Stats NZ territorial authority, grouped under its main region; the region total is their sum. Tap a name for its own page.
| District | People, June 2026 | Since 2023 Census | Latest year | Households renting | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch city | 422,400 | +3.6% | +0.9% | 35% | $550 |
| Selwyn district | 90,800 | +10.7% | +2.9% | 20% | — |
| Waimakariri district | 70,900 | +4.3% | +1% | 18% | — |
| Timaru district | 49,000 | −0.2% | −0.4% | 25% | — |
| Ashburton district | 37,400 | +3.6% | +0.8% | 32% | — |
| Hurunui district | 14,650 | +5% | +1.4% | 27% | — |
| Waimate district | 8,390 | +1.5% | +0.2% | 31% | — |
| Mackenzie district | 5,530 | +4.3% | +1.5% | 36% | — |
| Kaikoura district | 4,290 | +0.7% | −0.7% | 26% | — |
Median rent is shown where MBIE publishes the district on its own; otherwise see the region figure above. Earnings and employment are regional council estimates, not district figures.