Story: Inner-city living

Inner-city populations, 1911–2006

Inner-city populations, 1911–2006

This graph charts the decline and rise of inner-city populations in the four main cities since 1911. After a dip during the First World War, when people served overseas, the population recovered in 1921. It then began a long-term decline as suburban living became more affordable. A housing shortage during the Second World War saw a slight increase of residents living in Auckland and Christchurch, after which the downward trend continued until 1986. The rise in apartment living from 1991 saw inner-city populations increase in Dunedin and Christchurch, surge in Wellington, and skyrocket in Auckland.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: G. T. Bloomfield, New Zealand: a handbook of historical statistics. Boston, Mass.: G.K. Hall, 1984; Statistics New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

Philip Morrison and Ben Schrader, 'Inner-city living - Inner-city people', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/graph/23756/inner-city-populations-1911-2006 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Philip Morrison and Ben Schrader, published 11 Mar 2010