Wellington Population and Facts

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city and one of the most compact capital cities in the world. With a city population of around 210,800 and a metropolitan area approaching 434,000 people, Wellington punches well above its weight in culture, government, and civic life. Here’s a factual overview of the city’s population, demographics, and key statistics.

Wellington at a Glance

Wellington’s Population Today

Wellington City had a population of 202,689 in the 2023 New Zealand census. Statistics New Zealand’s mid-2025 estimate puts the city at around 210,800 — making it New Zealand’s third-largest city, and second-largest in the North Island after Auckland.

The wider Wellington metropolitan area — which includes Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, and Porirua — had an estimated population of 433,900 as of June 2025. These four cities together form the urban core of the Wellington Region.

Wellington is also the world’s southernmost capital city of a sovereign state, sitting near the bottom of the North Island at the narrow Cook Strait crossing between the North and South islands.

The Wellington Region

The Wellington Region covers a broader area stretching from the Wairarapa on the east coast to the Kāpiti Coast in the north. The full region had an estimated population of 543,400 as of June 2025, spread across an area of approximately 8,049 km² — giving a regional density of 68 people per km².

The region includes the Kāpiti Coast District and the Wairarapa towns of Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa, in addition to the four main metropolitan cities.

Population History and Growth

Wellington’s population has grown steadily since European settlement began in 1839–1840, when ships of the New Zealand Company brought the first organised settler groups to the harbour. The city was named after the Duke of Wellington, who had supported the Company’s expedition.

In the 2023 census, Wellington City recorded a population of 202,689 — almost identical to the 202,737 recorded in 2018, representing a net change of just −48 people. This near-flat result reflected post-COVID migration patterns and some population shift to surrounding areas. Over the longer term, the city grew by around 6.1% between 2013 and 2023 (from 190,956).

Age and Demographics

Wellington has a relatively young age profile compared to the New Zealand average. The 2023 census recorded a median age of 34.9 years — compared with 38.1 years nationally. This reflects Wellington’s large student and professional population, driven by Victoria University of Wellington, government agencies, and the technology and creative sectors.

Age breakdown (2023 census, Wellington City):

• Under 15 years: 29,142 people (14.4%)
• 15–29 years: 55,080 people (27.2%)
• 30–64 years: 94,806 people (46.8%)
• 65 years and over: 23,664 people (11.7%)

Wellington’s Economy and Character

Wellington’s economy is centred on government, professional services, finance, and the creative industries. As the seat of New Zealand’s Parliament and most central government ministries, the city has a large public sector workforce. The film industry — anchored by Weta Workshop and Weta Digital — has brought international attention to the city through productions including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Avatar.

Wellington is also widely regarded as New Zealand’s cultural capital, with the country’s national museum (Te Papa Tongarewa), national library, national archives, and arts institutions all based in the city.

Geography and Climate

Wellington sits at the southwestern tip of the North Island, where the land narrows toward Cook Strait. The city is built across a series of steep hills surrounding a deep natural harbour — Wellington Harbour (Te Whanganui-a-Tara). The narrow strait between the North and South islands creates wind-funnel conditions that give Wellington its reputation as one of the world’s windiest cities by average wind speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wellington’s population?
Wellington City has an estimated population of around 210,800 as of mid-2025, based on Statistics New Zealand figures. The wider metropolitan area (including Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, and Porirua) is approximately 433,900.

Is Wellington the biggest city in New Zealand?
No. Wellington is New Zealand’s third-largest city. Auckland is by far the largest, with a population of over 1.7 million. Christchurch is second. Wellington is the second-largest city in the North Island.

When did Wellington become the capital?
Wellington has been the capital of New Zealand since 1865, when the seat of government was moved from Auckland. The change was partly due to Wellington’s more central location between the North and South islands.

What is the Wellington Region?
The Wellington Region is a local government area covering Wellington City, Hutt City (Lower Hutt), Upper Hutt City, Porirua City, the Kāpiti Coast District, the Wairarapa, and the Masterton District. Its combined population is around 543,400 (2025 estimate).

What is the median age in Wellington?
The median age in Wellington City was 34.9 years in the 2023 census, younger than the national median of 38.1 years.

How many people live in Lower Hutt?
Hutt City (Lower Hutt) had a population of around 112,800 as of the 2023 census, making it the second-largest city in the Wellington Region.

Why is Wellington called Windy Wellington?
Wellington’s position at the southern tip of the North Island, close to Cook Strait, means it is exposed to strong prevailing westerly winds that are funnelled through the narrow strait. Wellington consistently records some of the highest average wind speeds of any capital city in the world.

Explore more about Wellington: Things to Do in Wellington | Māori History in Wellington | Wellington Suburbs