Facts and figures
Regional statisticsGet to know the Nelson region statistically.
Regional statistics
Get to know the Nelson region statistically.
Population
| Region | Population |
|---|---|
| Nelson City | 52,584 |
| Tasman region | 57,807 |
|
Nelson’s population increased by 3.4 percent between 2018 and 2023, and Tasman’s population increased by 10.3 percent. The total population for New Zealand also increased by 6.3 percent over the same period. By 2048, Nelson’s population is projected to be 58,300 and Tasman’s is projected to be 64,000. |
|
Ethnic groups
| Ethnicity | Nelson | Tasman | NZ |
|---|---|---|---|
| European | 85% | 91% | 68% |
| NZ Maori | 12% | 10% | 18% |
| Pacific Islands | 2% | 3% | 9% |
| Asian | 9% | 4% | 17% |
| Note: The percentages do not sum to 100 because people may have stated they belong to more than one ethnic group. Source: Census 2023, Statistics NZ |
|||
Age distribution
| Age range |
Nelson
|
Tasman
|
NZ
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Age | 44.0 | 46.8 | 38.1 |
| Age range (% of population) | |||
| Under 15 years | 16.6% |
16.4%
|
18.7%
|
| 15-64 years |
61.8%
|
60.3%
|
64.7%
|
| 65 years and over |
21.6%
|
23.3%
|
16.6%
|
| Source: Census 2023, Statistics NZ | |||
Unemployment
|
Nelson
|
Tasman
|
NZ
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate |
3.0%
|
2.8%
|
3.3%
|
|
Source: Unemployment Information, Infometrics 2023 |
|||
Rent
|
Nelson
|
Tasman
|
NZ
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Weekly Rent Source: Average Weekly Rent Year to March 2024, Infometrics |
$478
|
$527
|
$560
|
Occupation
|
ANZSCO Level 1 Occupation |
Nelson City % of Total
|
Tasman District % of Total
|
NZ % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers |
15.8%
|
20.6%
|
17.9%
|
| Professionals |
25.5%
|
17.5%
|
24.9%
|
| Technicians & Trade Workers |
12.6%
|
13.1%
|
12.6%
|
| Community & Personal Service Workers |
10.4%
|
7.2%
|
9.3%
|
| Clerical & Administrative Workers |
10.5%
|
9.0%
|
10.8%
|
| Sales Workers |
8.4%
|
8.5%
|
8.8%
|
| Machinery Operators & Drivers |
4.5%
|
6.6%
|
5.2%
|
| Labourers |
12.3%
|
17.5%
|
10.6%
|
Source: Filled Jobs, ANZSCO Level 1, Year to March 2023, Infometrics
Qualifications
| Attainment | Nelson | Tasman | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below NCEA Level 1 | 18% | 17% | |
| NCEA Level 1 | 9% | 14% | |
| NCEA Level 2 | 23% | 30% | |
| NCEA Level 3 or above | 13% | 11% | |
| University Entrance | 37% | 17% |
Source: Secondary School Leavers by Highest Educational Attainment in Nelson City, 2023, Infometrics
Business
| Description | Nelson | Tasman |
| Employees | 30,200 | 24,300 |
|
Businesses |
6,837 |
7,686 |
|
The main industries providing employment in Nelson in 2023 were healthcare and social assistance (14.5%), manufacturing (10.7%) and retail trade (10.0%). |
||
Source: Business Demography Statistics, Statistics NZ and Industry Structure of Employment, Infometrics
Climate
| Nelson city | |
| Average annual rainfall (2013-2022) | 1045mm |
| Average sunshine hours per year (1991-2020) | 2,497 hours |
| Nelson is one of New Zealand’s sunniest regions. | |
Source: Average Annual Rainfall, Statistics NZ Courtesy of NIWA, and The Climate and Weather of Nelson and Tasman, NIWA NZ
Area
| Square Metres | Square Kilometres | |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson | 422,401,584 sqm | 422.4 sqkm |
| Tasman | 9,733,948,742 sqm | 9,733.95 sqkm |
Download a map of the Nelson City Council unitary area. (972KB PDF)