City wide
| Christchurch City | 288,948 | 296,061 | 316,611 | 323,956 | 348,435 |
| Numeric Change (over 5 years) | | 7113 | 20,550 | 7345 | 24,378 |
| Percentage Change (over 5 years) | | 2.5 | 6.9 | 2.3 | 7.5 |
| New Zealand | 3,263,284 | 3,373,927 | 3,618,302 | 3,737,277 | 4,027,947 |
| Numeric Change (over 5 years) | | 110,643 | 244,375 | 118,975 | 290,670 |
| Percentage Change (over 5 years) | | 3.4 | 7.2 | 3.2 | 7.8 |
Note: Some totals may differ between tables due to rounding.
The City's population is growing. In 2006, five yearly growth was 7.5 per cent. This was the highest recorded since 1996. This pattern of growth is consistent with national trends.
Christchurch City – population projections – to 2026
According to Statistics New Zealand's medium population projection, Christchurch City's resident population is expected to increase to 379,000 by the year 2026. Growth during this period will occur at a progressively slower rate as a result of a gradual reduction in natural increase and also relatively low migration from other parts of the country and overseas.
Ward and area unit
To see the data above at ward and area unit level, please refer to the ward and area unit spreadsheet [XLS 975KB]. This file is in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format. You will require the free Excel viewer to view it.
Users are cautioned that when the area unit worksheet is viewed in print preview, it is 408 pages long, and the ward worksheet is 39 pages long. It is recommended that users copy and paste the information they require into their own Excel spreadsheet, rather than printing the whole spreadsheet.
Ward and area unit boundary maps
Christchurch City ward and community maps
Statistics New Zealand boundary maps
Christchurch City Council area unit map [PDF 1MB]
2006 profile maps
Usual Resident Population
At March 2006, 348,435 people lived in Christchurch. There are higher densities of residents in inner suburban locations. The number of people per hectare tends to decrease as you move away from the city centre.
Population Change
Christchurch's resident population increased by 24,378 people or 7.5 percent in the five years from 2001 to 2006. Since 2001, greatest population increases have occurred in areas on the residential fringe of the City where considerable new building activity has also taken place.
