Population and demographics

The population of the Kāpiti Coast District at the 2018 census was 53,673. This was an increase of 9.3% since 2013. Most people live between the State Highway and the beach in townships at Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Ōtaki.  

You can find out more about people of the Kāpiti Coast from 2006, 2013 and 2018 Census of Population and Dwellings on the People and Places website. This can give you a wealth of information about the population - age, gender, ethnicity, income, households and families - for the District as well as your local area. You can also compare the information with the earlier 2006 and 2013 Census, as well as against the Wellington Region.

To find out more about expected population growth in the Kāpiti Coast District, the Population Forecast presents information on drivers of population change in the community and forecasts how the population, age structure and household types will change each year between 2013 and 2043. These forecasts are designed to provide community groups, Council, investors, businesses, students and the general public with knowledge to make confident decisions about the future. Please note that work is currently underway to revise population forecasts for the district.

Also available are annual economic profiles that provide information on the value, employment, industries and skills of the Kāpiti economy, and quarterly urban development capacity reports that monitor a number of indicators including population projections, land and building supply and housing affordability.