Palmerston North Central

NZDep 10
Pop 1,074Median age 29Palmerston North City

Palmerston North Central is a small community in Manawatu-Whanganui with a population of 1,074 and a median age of 29. Median personal income is $29K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Palmerston North Central is $370 (370 houses, 380 units). This represents approximately 65% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Palmerston North Central: NZDep decile 10 (high deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 433.

In 2026, Palmerston North Central recorded 4 building approvals (0 houses, 4 units), down 63.6% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability65% Stretched
School QualityEQI 433 Average
DeprivationDecile 10 High
Development-64% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$370
House Rent /wk$370
Unit Rent /wk$380
Rent-to-Income65.4%
Lodgements18
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,074
Median Age29
Household Size
Personal Income$29K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European51.4%
Māori21.4%
Asian16.2%
Pacific Peoples8.6%
MELAA2.4%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Accommodation and Food75
Retail Trade66
Health Care and Social Assistance66
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI433
Total Students226
Private : Fully Registered1
State : Integrated1
Carncot Independent SchoolFull Primary · Private : Fully Registered · 130 students
Palmerston North Adventist Christian SchoolContributing · State : Integrated · EQI 433 · 96 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile10/10
NZDep Score1148
High deprivation — among the most deprived areas in NZ.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)4
  Units4
YoY Change-63.6%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023