Region · Stats NZ · MBIE
Manawatū-Whanganui in numbers
Manawatū-Whanganui had an estimated 259,900 people at 30 June 2026, up 0.9% since the 2023 Census, 10th of 16 regions for growth. Manawatu district is growing fastest (+3%); Ruapehu district has −1.1%. 31% of households rent, at a median of $520 a week.
People, June 2026
259,900
+0.9% (+2,350) since the 2023 Census
Latest year
−0.1%
−200 people, June 2025 to June 2026
Median weekly rent
$520
Lower quartile $425, upper $590. 19,806 active bonds. MBIE, July 2026
Median full-time earnings
$1,512 a week
June 2026, +7.4% on the year
Employment rate
67.9%
Unemployment 4.9%, participation 71.4%. Employment +1.6 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 | 250,150 | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 253,550 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 255,100 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 255,150 | 0% |
| 2023 | 257,550 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | 259,950 | +0.9% |
| 2025 | 260,100 | +0.1% |
| 2026 | 259,900 | −0.1% |
How Manawatū-Whanganui households hold their homes
- 59% own their home
- 31% rent
- 10% held in a family trust
95,106 households, 2023 Census.
Districts in Manawatū-Whanganui
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmerston North city | 90,200 | +0.4% | −0.2% | 36% | $520 |
| Whanganui district | 49,200 | +1.2% | −0.2% | 30% | — |
| Horowhenua district | 38,200 | +1.6% | 0% | 29% | — |
| Manawatu district | 34,200 | +3% | +0.6% | 24% | — |
| Tararua district | 18,850 | −0.5% | 0% | 28% | — |
| Rangitikei district | 15,950 | 0% | −0.3% | 29% | — |
| Ruapehu district | 13,300 | −1.1% | −0.4% | 38% | — |
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.