Palmerston North Population & Facts
Population, key facts and figures about Palmerston North.
Stats NZ estimate at 30 June 2026, released 29 October 2026. Down 170 people (0.2%) on a year earlier. Palmerston North is New Zealand's 11th-largest council area, with 2% of the country's 5,357,300 people.
- 87,090counted at the 2023 Census
- 36.6median age (NZ 38.5)
- 31,497households
- 33,987homes (private dwellings)
- 8,511businesses (February 2025)
- 230people per km²
How Palmerston North has grown
Palmerston North grew from 80,079 people at the 2013 Census to 87,090 in 2023, up 9% in ten years. In the year to June 2026 the population fell by 170 (0.2%). Stats NZ's medium projection has Palmerston North at about 96,600 people by 2043.
Year to 30 June 2026. Figures are rounded, so they may not add up exactly.
Age
The median Palmerston North resident is 36.6 years old, younger than New Zealand as a whole (38.5). 16.6% of residents are 65 or over (NZ 17.4%).
Estimates at 30 June 2026.
Who lives in Palmerston North
22% of Palmerston North residents were born overseas (NZ 29%), most often in Asia or the UK or Ireland. 53% have no religion.
People can choose more than one ethnicity, so these add up to more than 100%.
Languages other than English. Many people speak more than one language.
2023 Census.
Homes and rent
64% of Palmerston North households own their home or hold it in a family trust (NZ 66%). The median weekly rent at the 2023 Census was $400, against $450 across New Zealand. Three bedrooms is the most common size of home (43%).
- 64%own their home or hold it in a trust (NZ 66%)
- 2.6people per household on average (NZ 2.7)
- 18%of homes are damp at least sometimes (NZ 18%)
- $400median weekly rent, 2023 (NZ $450)
Renting households, 2023 Census. Rents have changed since; see the Tenancy Services market rent tool for current rents.
Work and income
Health care and public administration are the biggest industries Palmerston North residents work in. Unemployment was 4.5% at the 2023 Census (NZ 4.4%).
- $40,800median personal income, 2023 (NZ $41,500)
- $90,600median household income, 2023 (NZ $97,000)
- 4.5%unemployment rate (NZ 4.4%)
- 26%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher (NZ 27%)
2023 Census, employed people aged 15 and over. Getting to work leaves out people who did not work on census day.
Palmerston North suburbs by population
The biggest suburbs at the 2023 Census. Each guide has the suburb's own population, schools, bin day and buses.
Guides to 35 suburbs and settlements in and around Palmerston North.
Palmerston North population questions
What is the population of Palmerston North?
Palmerston North City had an estimated 90,200 residents at 30 June 2026, according to Stats NZ. The 2023 Census counted 87,090 people who usually live there.
Is Palmerston North growing?
Not at the moment. The population fell by 170 people (0.2%) in the year to June 2026. Between the 2018 and 2023 Censuses it grew by 2.9%.
What will the population of Palmerston North be in 2033?
Stats NZ's medium projection puts Palmerston North at about 94,100 people in 2033 and 99,200 in 2053. Projections are a guide, not a forecast, and depend a lot on migration.
How many houses are in Palmerston North?
The 2023 Census counted 33,987 private dwellings in Palmerston North City. 64% of households own their home or hold it in a family trust.
What is the median age in Palmerston North?
36.6 years in 2026, against 38.5 for New Zealand as a whole. 16.6% of residents are 65 or over.
What is the biggest suburb in Palmerston North?
Hokowhitu, with about 9,730 residents at the 2023 Census, followed by Kelvin Grove (about 8,790) and Awapuni (about 8,300).
Sources and data notes 4
- Population estimates: Stats NZ, Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2026 (provisional), released 29 October 2026. Estimates include residents the census missed and people overseas on census night, so they are higher than census counts. CC BY 4.0.
- Projections: Stats NZ, Subnational population projections: 2023(base) to 2053, medium projection, released 25 September 2025. CC BY 4.0.
- 2023 Census: Stats NZ place summary for Palmerston North City and for New Zealand (2023 Census, and the number of businesses from Business Demography). Percentages are of people or homes who answered each question. CC BY 4.0.
- Suburbs: Suburb areas: LINZ NZ Suburbs and Localities (CC BY 4.0). Suburb populations are the 2023 Census SA1 areas inside each boundary, so a suburb can reach past the council boundary.