The challenge for Wellington is to manage the development pressures these trends bring, while still preserving the values, character and environment that Wellingtonians cherish.
The Council works to make sure the city's growth occurs in ways that efficiently use land and transport, rather than compromising the qualities that make Wellington special.
Demands on housing
Wellington's population is growing and changing - households are getting smaller, and the population is ageing and becoming more ethnically diverse.
Projections show there will be around 242,000 people living in Wellington city by 2040 - some 55,000 more than the city's population in 2006.
At the same time, the average household size will continue to shrink to about 2.5 people per household by 2031.
Wellington will need 15,000 more dwellings over the next 20 years to accommodate growth. These dwellings will involve a mixture of high, medium and low-density development. It is estimated that 60% of dwellings will be either apartments or multi-unit houses, and 40% will be single, detached houses.
Learn more about central and suburban growth: Managing Growth
For more population information, see, About Wellington - Facts and Figures
Detailed socio-demographic information is given in the Council's Community Profile