Region · Stats NZ · MBIE
Wellington in numbers
Wellington had an estimated 541,850 people at 30 June 2026, up 0.7% since the 2023 Census, 11th of 16 regions for growth. Lower Hutt city is growing fastest (+2.8%); Wellington city has −0.7%. 34% of households rent, at a median of $575 a week.
People, June 2026
541,850
+0.7% (+4,000) since the 2023 Census
Latest year
−0.1%
−300 people, June 2025 to June 2026
Median weekly rent
$575
Lower quartile $460, upper $685. 51,813 active bonds. MBIE, July 2026
Median full-time earnings
$1,841 a week
June 2026, +10.3% on the year
Employment rate
71.1%
Unemployment 6.3%, participation 75.9%. Employment +0.5 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 | 530,880 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 537,970 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 537,350 | −0.1% |
| 2022 | 532,800 | −0.8% |
| 2023 | 537,850 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | 542,800 | +0.9% |
| 2025 | 542,150 | −0.1% |
| 2026 | 541,850 | −0.1% |
How Wellington households hold their homes
- 57% own their home
- 34% rent
- 10% held in a family trust
194,358 households, 2023 Census.
Districts in Wellington
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington city | 208,300 | −0.7% | −0.6% | 41% | — |
| Lower Hutt city | 114,600 | +2.8% | +0.6% | 33% | — |
| Porirua city | 61,500 | +0.3% | 0% | 33% | — |
| Kapiti Coast district | 58,500 | +1.7% | 0% | 22% | — |
| Upper Hutt city | 47,600 | +1.1% | +0.4% | 25% | — |
| Masterton district | 28,900 | +2.1% | 0% | 29% | — |
| South Wairarapa district | 12,150 | +0.4% | 0% | 22% | — |
| Carterton district | 10,300 | +0.5% | 0% | 20% | — |
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.