Palmerston North Population 2026
Palmerston North has a population of 90,500, making it the #9 biggest city in 🇳🇿 New Zealand, located in Manawatu-Wanganui. Roughly 1.7% of New Zealand's population lives here. It is about 17× smaller than Auckland, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
90,500
Rank in New Zealand
#9
Coordinates
40.36°S, 175.61°E
~34 m elevation · Pacific/Auckland
Distance to capital (Wellington)
125 km
78 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Manawatu-Wanganui
Cities near Palmerston North
- Levin19,789 people · ~42 km away
- Whanganui49,200 people · ~67 km away
- Masterton28,900 people · ~67 km away
- Paraparaumu29,900 people · ~80 km away
- Upper Hutt47,400 people · ~99 km away
- Porirua61,500 people · ~108 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Palmerston North?
Palmerston North has a population of 90,500 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #9 biggest city in New Zealand.
What region is Palmerston North in?
Palmerston North is located in Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand.
Is Palmerston North the capital of New Zealand?
No, the capital of New Zealand is Wellington, about 125 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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