Region · Stats NZ · MBIE
Otago in numbers
Otago had an estimated 254,850 people at 30 June 2026, up 1.8% since the 2023 Census, 6th of 16 regions for growth. Queenstown-Lakes district is growing fastest (+4.3%); Dunedin city has −0.1%. 31% of households rent, at a median of $580 a week.
People, June 2026
254,850
+1.8% (+4,400) since the 2023 Census
Latest year
+0.4%
+1,050 people, June 2025 to June 2026
Median weekly rent
$580
Lower quartile $441, upper $750. 22,137 active bonds. MBIE, July 2026
Median full-time earnings
$1,500 a week
June 2026, −2.3% on the year
Employment rate
70.3%
Unemployment 3.6%, participation 72.9%. Employment −3.4 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 | 240,200 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 245,900 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | 245,300 | −0.2% |
| 2022 | 245,250 | 0% |
| 2023 | 250,450 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | 253,200 | +1.1% |
| 2025 | 253,800 | +0.2% |
| 2026 | 254,850 | +0.4% |
How Otago households hold their homes
- 56% own their home
- 31% rent
- 13% held in a family trust
92,355 households, 2023 Census.
Districts in Otago
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunedin city | 131,200 | −0.1% | −0.5% | 32% | $520 |
| Queenstown-Lakes district | 53,700 | +4.3% | +1.9% | 37% | $800 |
| Central Otago district | 26,100 | +4% | +1.2% | 24% | — |
| Waitaki district | 24,900 | +3.8% | +1.2% | 26% | — |
| Clutha district | 18,950 | +2.2% | +0.8% | 28% | — |
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.