Palmerston North Population & Facts

Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatū and one of New Zealand’s key inland urban centres. Palmerston North City had an estimated population of 91,800 in 2025, making it a major regional centre for education, health, defence, logistics, research, and services in the lower North Island.

Palmerston North Population at a Glance

Fact	Figure
Estimated population (2025)	~91,800
Share of NZ population	~1.7%
2023 Census resident population	87,090
Land area	394.74 km²
Main river	Manawatū River
Wider city area	Includes urban Palmerston North, Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe, Longburn, Linton, and rural land

Demographics

Palmerston North is a diverse inland city with a large student population, strong Māori presence, and growing Asian and Pasifika communities. According to the 2023 Census:

Ethnicity	Share of population
European	73.8%
Māori	20.7%
Asian	14.4%
Pasifika	5.9%
MELAA (Middle Eastern, Latin American, African)	1.7%

Note: people may identify with more than one ethnicity, so figures do not add to 100%.

Key Facts About Palmerston North

Palmerston North sits on the eastern Manawatū Plains, close to the Manawatū River and within easy reach of the Tararua Range and Te Āpiti / Manawatū Gorge. It is the largest urban centre in the Manawatū and a major service city for the surrounding rural districts.

The city’s official area is larger than the central urban area. It includes rural land and nearby settlements such as Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe, Longburn, and Linton, as well as major institutions and employment areas beyond the central city.

Palmerston North is strongly shaped by education, research, defence, health, and logistics. Massey University, UCOL, Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North Hospital, rail links, and state highways all contribute to the city’s role as a practical regional hub rather than a coastal tourism city.

Sources