Submitted by admin on April 22, 2009 - 23:08
Population Growth
The following statistical summary shows the steady population growth since 1860:
| 1860 | 2,611 |
| 1864 | 4,107 (one-third of these in Napier) |
| 1874 | 9,228 (3,514 in Napier) |
| 1886 | 24,770 (Napier, 7,677; Hastings, 1,504; Waipawa, 531; Ormondville, 422; Wairoa, 419; Dannevirke, 393) |
| 1911 | 48,546 |
| 1956 | 102,326 |
| 1961 | 114,470 (Napier, 32,716; Hastings, 32,490) |
Thus, of the present total population of the province, more than half are resident in the twin urban areas of Napier and Hastings. Populations of outlying provincial boroughs in 1961 were: Dannevirke, 5,508; Wairoa, 4,403; and Waipukurau, 1,714. A heavy inward migration from other parts of the Dominion was evident from 1880 until 1921, followed by a net loss of people in the two decades 1920–40, with a steady inward movement again since 1945.
