Editing Otago (section)

==Population==
Otago Region covers {{cvt|31186.16|km2}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web |title=ArcGIS Web Application |url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787 |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324152440/https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787 |url-status=live }}</ref> The population is {{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y|}} as of {{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||,}}<ref name="NZ_population_data_2018" /> which is approximately {{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|New Zealand|y}}|R}}*100|1}} percent of New Zealand's total population of {{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|New Zealand|y}}|R}}/1000000|1}} million. The population density is {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}/31186.16|1}} people per km<sup>2</sup>. About {{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Dunedin|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}} percent of the population resides in the Dunedin urban area—the region's main city and the country's sixth largest urban area. For historical and geographical reasons, Dunedin is usually regarded as one of New Zealand's four main centres. Unlike other southern centres, Dunedin's population has not declined since the 1970s, largely due to the presence of the [[University of Otago]] – and especially its [[University of Otago Dunedin School of Medicine|medical school]] – which attracts students from all over New Zealand and overseas.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/otago-region/11 |title=Otago region: Population and employment since 1920 |last=Mckinnon |first=Malcolm |date=17 August 2009 |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=18 February 2010 |archive-date=21 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021041339/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/otago-region/11 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other significant urban centres in Otago with populations over 1,000 include: [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]], [[Oamaru]], [[Wānaka]], [[Port Chalmers]], [[Cromwell, New Zealand|Cromwell]], [[Alexandra, New Zealand|Alexandra]], [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]], [[Milton, New Zealand|Milton]] and [[Mosgiel]]. Between 1996 and 2006, the population of the [[Queenstown-Lakes District]] grew by 60% due to the region's booming [[tourism]] industry.<ref name="orr">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/otago-region/1 |title=Otago region: Overview |last=Mckinnon |first=Malcolm |date=19 August 2009 |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=18 February 2010 |archive-date=15 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515075128/https://teara.govt.nz/en/otago-region/page-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable floatleft"
|+ [[Urban areas of New Zealand|Urban areas]] in Otago
|-
! Urban area
! Population<br /><small>({{NZ population data 2018|||y|y||)}}</small>
! % of region
|-
|[[Dunedin]]{{efn|Includes [[Port Chalmers]].}}
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Dunedin|y}}
|align=right|{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Dunedin|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Queenstown|y}}
|align=right|{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Queenstown|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Mosgiel]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Mosgiel|y}}
|align=right|{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Mosgiel|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Oamaru]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Oamaru|y}}
|align=right|{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Oamaru|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Wānaka]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Wanaka|y}}
|align=right|{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Wanaka|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Cromwell, New Zealand|Cromwell]]
| align="right" |{{NZ population data 2018|Cromwell|y}}
| align="right" |{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Cromwell|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Alexandra, New Zealand|Alexandra]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Alexandra|y}}
|align=right|{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Alexandra|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]]
| align="right" |{{NZ population data 2018|Balclutha|y}}
| align="right" |{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Balclutha|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Arrowtown]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Arrowtown|y}}
|align=right|{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Arrowtown|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Milton, New Zealand|Milton]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Milton|y}}
|align=right|{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Milton|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Brighton, New Zealand|Brighton]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Brighton|y}}
|align=right|{{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Brighton|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Waikouaiti]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Waikouaiti|y}} 
|align=right| {{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Waikouaiti|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|[[Clyde, New Zealand|Clyde]]
|align=right| {{NZ population data 2018|Clyde|y}}
|align=right| {{Rnd|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Clyde|y}}|R}}/{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2018|Otago region|y}}|R}}*100|1}}%
|-
|colspan="3"|{{notelist}}
|}
{{Historical populations
|1991|177,525
|1996|185,085
|2001|181,542
|2006|193,803
|2013|202,470
|2018|225,186
|2023|240,900
|percentages=pagr|align=right|source=<ref name="Census 2023"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2001-census-data/2001-census-regional-summary.aspx |title=2001 Census: Regional summary |website=archive.stats.govt.nz |language=en-nz |access-date=28 April 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929211821/http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2001-census-data/2001-census-regional-summary.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|+Largest groups of overseas-born residents<ref name="2013culture">{{cite web |title=Birthplace (detailed), for the census usually resident population count, 2006, 2013, and 2018 Censuses (RC, TA, SA2, DHB) |url=https://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE8279 |access-date= |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |archive-date=15 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515075118/https://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE8279 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
!Nationality || Population (2018)
|-
| England|| 10,710
|-
| Australia || 5,160
|-
| China || 2,442
|-
| United States of America || 2,226
|-
| Philippines || 2,157
|-
| India || 2,046
|-
| Scotland || 1,908
|-
| South Africa || 1,755
|-
| Germany || 1,134
|-
|Brazil
|1,089
|}

Otago had a population of 240,900 in the [[2023 New Zealand census]], an increase of 15,714 people (7.0%) since the [[2018 New Zealand census|2018 census]], and an increase of 38,430 people (19.0%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]]. There were 118,524 males, 121,185 females and 1,188 people of [[non-binary gender|other genders]] in 94,425 dwellings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_005&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=doTotal%2Bdo1.14.2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_DWD_003|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses}}</ref> 4.3% of people identified as [[LGBTQ|LGBTIQ+]]. The median age was 38.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 37,749 people (15.7%) aged under 15 years, 53,532 (22.2%) aged 15 to 29, 106,926 (44.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 42,690 (17.7%) aged 65 or older.<ref name="Census 2023"/>
[[File:2023 NZ Census Population Density - Otago Region.png|thumb|right| A map showing population density in the Otago Region at the 2023 census]]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 85.2% [[European New Zealanders|European]] ([[Pākehā]]); 9.9% [[Māori people|Māori]]; 3.4% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]]; 8.5% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]]; 2.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.7% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.5%, Māori language by 1.9%, Samoan by 0.6% and other languages by 11.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). [[New Zealand Sign Language]] was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 23.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 28.4% [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]], 1.0% [[Hinduism in New Zealand|Hindu]], 0.8% [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]], 0.2% [[Māori religious beliefs]], 0.7% [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhist]], 0.5% [[New Age]], 0.1% [[Judaism in New Zealand|Jewish]],  and 1.4% other religions. People who answered that they had [[Irreligion in New Zealand|no religion]] were 60.3%, and 6.6% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 40,458 (19.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 106,080 (52.2%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 43,974 (21.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $39,100, compared with $41,500 nationally. 19,692 people (9.7%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 101,514 (50.0%) people were employed full-time, 31,086 (15.3%) were part-time, and 4,848 (2.4%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2023">{{Cite web|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?fs[0]=2023%20Census%2C0%7CTotals%20by%20topic%23CAT_TOTALS_BY_TOPIC%23&pg=0&fc=Variable%20codes&bp=true&snb=9&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_008&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=hq011%2Bhq010%2Bhq009%2Bhq008%2Bhq007%2Bhq006%2Bhq005%2Bhq004%2Bhq003%2Bhq002%2Bhq001%2Bhq000%2Bws1%2Bsp99%2Bra80%2Bra08%2Bra07%2Bra06%2Bra05%2Bra01%2Bra04%2Bra03%2Bra02%2Bra00%2Brb1%2Bls66%2Bls03%2Bls02%2Bls05%2Bls04%2Bls01%2Beg6%2Beg5%2Beg4%2Beg3%2Beg2%2Beg1%2BbiTotal%2Bbi0%2Bbi1%2BasTotalLG%2Bas4%2Bas3%2Bas2%2Bas1%2Bws4%2Bws3%2Bws2%2Bge3%2Bge2%2Bge1%2Brc%2BasMed%2BegTotal%2BlsTotal%2BgeTotal%2BrbTotal%2BraTotal%2BhqTotal%2BibTotal%2Bibmed%2BwsTotal.14.2013%2B2018%2B2023&to[TIME]=false&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_003&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001|publisher=Stats NZ - Tatauranga Aotearoa - Aotearoa Data Explorer|access-date=3 October 2024|title=Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|at=Otago Region (14)}}</ref>

The majority of the population of European lineage is of [[Scotland|Scottish]] stock—the descendants of early Scottish settlers from the early 19th century. Other well-represented European groups include those of English, Irish, and Dutch descent. A large proportion of the Māori population are from the [[Ngāi Tahu]] [[iwi]] or tribe. Other significant ethnic minorities include Asians, Pacific Islanders, Africans, Latin Americans and Middle Easterners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/AboutAPlace/SnapShot.aspx?type=region&ParentID=1000001&tab=Culturaldiversity&id=1000014 |title=QuickStats About Otago: Cultural Diversity |publisher=Statistics New Zealand |access-date=18 February 2010 |archive-date=16 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116012524/http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/AboutAPlace/SnapShot.aspx?ParentID=1000001&type=region&tab=Culturaldiversity&id=1000014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Otago's early waves of settlement, especially during and immediately after the gold rush of the 1860s, included a substantial minority of southern ([[Guangdong]]) Chinese settlers, and a smaller but also prominent number of people from [[Lebanon]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/middle-eastern-peoples/1 |title=Middle Eastern peoples – The Lebanese |last1=Veitch |first1=James |last2=Tinawi |first2=Dalia |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=16 April 2020 |date=1 March 2015 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105082443/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/middle-eastern-peoples/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The region's Jewish population also experienced a small influx at this time. The early and middle years of the twentieth century saw smaller influxes of immigrants from several mainland European countries, most notably the [[Netherlands]].

In line with the region's Scottish heritage, [[Presbyterianism]] is the largest Christian denomination with 17.1 percent affiliating, while [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]] is the second-largest denomination with 11.5 percent affiliating.<ref name="quickstats_culture">{{cite web |url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-culture-identity/tables.xls |title=2013 Census QuickStats about culture and identity – data tables |publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]] |date=15 April 2014 |access-date=2 February 2016 |archive-date=24 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524102811/http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/Census/2013%20Census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-culture-identity/tables.xls |url-status=dead }} Note some percentages may not add to 100 percent as people could give multiple responses or object to answering.</ref>

{{Location map many | New Zealand Otago peninsula
 | caption = Locations of main settlements in Otago
 | width = 280
 | alt = Otago
 | float = right
 | border = 
 | label = [[Oamaru]]
 | pos1 = left
 | bg1 = lightblue
 | mark1size = 8
 | lat1_deg = -45.1101
 | lon1_deg =170.9757
 | label2 = [[Dunedin]]
 | pos2 = left
 | bg2 = lightblue
 | mark2size = 8
 | lat2_deg = -45.8741
 | lon2_deg = 170.5036
 | label3 = [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]]
 | pos3 = top
 | bg3 = lightblue
 | lat3_deg = -45.0442
 | lon3_deg = 168.7038
 | label4 = [[Alexandra, New Zealand|Alexandra]]
 | pos4 = top
 | bg4 = lightblue
 | lat4_deg = -45.2334
 | lon4_deg = 169.3858
 | label5 = [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]]
 | pos5 = left
 | bg5 = lightblue
 | lat5_deg = -46.2178
 | lon5_deg = 169.7322
 | label6 = [[Wānaka]]
 | pos6 = top
 | bg6 = lightblue
 | lat6_deg = -44.6846
 | lon6_deg = 169.0805
}}