Statistics and Demographics

The estimated population of Kāpiti Coast District was 48,900 as at 30 June 2009. Covering an area of 731 square kilometres, the District has a higher than average population density with 63.2 people per square kilometre compared with 14.9 people nationally. However if you are driving through the district you would not notice that, as most residents live between the State Highway and the beach in townships at Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Ōtaki.  

Statistics New Zealand's Quick Stats About a Place has much more detailed information about the Kāpiti Coast population including those of the individual townships.

Some highlights are:

District Growth

The Kāpiti Coast population is increasing faster than most places in New Zealand. Projections see large increases in Waikanae and Ōtaki, which are the District’s growth areas.

With a median age of 44.3 years the district’s population is also older than the national median age of 35.9 years. Kāpiti Coast residents have a longer life expectancy than the national average, which could be due to our climate and easier pace of life.

In general compared to New Zealand the Kāpiti Coast District population has:

• slightly fewer children aged under five years
• slightly fewer children aged 5-19 years old
• significantly fewer (under two thirds) people aged 20-39 years
• slightly more people aged 40-64 years, and
• substantially more people (around double) aged 65 years and more.

Mobility

The Kāpiti Coast has a highly mobile population. In 2006 over 50% of the population had moved into the District in the previous 5 years. Young people growing up on the Kāpiti Coast tend to leave to go to university or jobs in the cities. This high level of mobility or turnover raises significant communication issues as the community tries to address many of the pressures it faces.

Median Income

Median income increased from 2001 to 2006, moving the Kāpiti Coast District in ranking from 8 to 6 amongst territorial areas in the Wellington region.

Diversity

The 2006 Census showed the Kāpiti Coast District is less ethnically diverse than the country as a whole.

A very large number of the district’s residents identified themselves as European (68% nationally) or as “New Zealanders” (11% nationwide). Māori were close to their national representation (15% nationally.) However, the Asian ethnic group and Pacific Peoples each accounted for just 2% (compared with a national 9% and 7% respectively). Other smaller ethnic groups (Middle Eastern, Latin American, African) were practically non-existent in the District.