Region · Stats NZ · MBIE
West Coast in numbers
West Coast had an estimated 34,640 people at 30 June 2026, up 2.2% since the 2023 Census, 4th of 16 regions for growth. Westland district is growing fastest (+3.1%). 25% of households rent, at a median of $435 a week.
People, June 2026
34,640
+2.2% (+730) since the 2023 Census
Latest year
+0.4%
+140 people, June 2025 to June 2026
Median weekly rent
$435
Lower quartile $361, upper $500. 1,515 active bonds. MBIE, July 2026
Median full-time earnings
$1,472 a week
June 2026, +4.5% on the year. Stats NZ publishes Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough/West Coast Regions together
Employment rate
65%
Unemployment 4.6%, participation 68.1%. Employment −1.9 pp on a year ago. 2026 Q1 (Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast)
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 | 32,720 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 33,280 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 33,520 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 33,590 | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 33,910 | +1% |
| 2024 | 34,400 | +1.4% |
| 2025 | 34,500 | +0.3% |
| 2026 | 34,640 | +0.4% |
How West Coast households hold their homes
- 68% own their home
- 25% rent
- 6% held in a family trust
14,187 households, 2023 Census.
Districts in West Coast
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grey district | 14,550 | +2.1% | +0.3% | 24% | — |
| Buller district | 10,700 | +1.4% | +0.5% | 26% | — |
| Westland district | 9,390 | +3.1% | +0.4% | 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.