Westown

NZDep 8
Pop 4,683Median age 38New Plymouth District

Westown is a small suburb in Taranaki with a population of 4,683 and a median age of 38. Median personal income is $35K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Westown is $660 (660 houses, 250 units). This represents approximately 97% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Westown: NZDep decile 8 (high deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 476; 2 hospitals nearby.

In 2026, Westown recorded 1 building approval (1 house, 0 units), down 98.2% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability97% Stretched
School QualityEQI 476 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 8 High
Development-98% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$660
House Rent /wk$660
Unit Rent /wk$250
Rent-to-Income96.9%
Lodgements24
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population4,683
Median Age38
Household Size
Personal Income$35K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European67.4%
Māori20.0%
Asian9.1%
Pacific Peoples2.9%
MELAA0.5%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Health Care and Social Assistance372
Construction267
Retail Trade198
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI476
Total Students956
State : Integrated1
State1
Francis Douglas Memorial CollegeSecondary (Year 7-15) · State : Integrated · EQI 418 · 799 students
Westown SchoolContributing · State · EQI 533 · 157 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile8/10
NZDep Score1039
High deprivation — among the most deprived areas in NZ.
HOSPITALS (2)
Taranaki Base HospitalPublic Hospital
Te Rangimarie HospiceNGO Hospital
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)1
  Houses1
YoY Change-98.2%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023