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Introducing Auckland

History of Auckland City

Introduction | If at first you don't succeed (1840-1871) | Building a solid city (1871-1918) | On the trail of the modernising city (1919-1945) | Thinking and being metropolitan (1945-1971) | The 1971 centenary (occasion and setting) | Progressing towards abolition (1971-1989) | Writ large: the 'new' City Council from 1990 | Selected Auckland City chronology (1840-1998) | Mayors | City and metropolitan population 1841-1998 | Graham Bush

City and metropolitan population 1841-1998

Auckland City Council Area Auckland Metropolitan Area
1841 1,835 2,895
1851 1,850 8,761
1861 7,989 13,915
1871 12,937 26,176
1881 16,664 x 32,389
1891 28,613 51,287
1901 38,400 67,226
1911 40,536 102,676
1921 81,712 157,757
1931 105,600 217,000
1941 106,800 223,700
1951 127,406 329,123
1961 143,583 448,365
1971 151,580 698,400
1981 144,963 769,568
1991 315,668 # 855,571
1996 357,400 997,940
1998(est) 372,600 1,138,300

x Much of the variation between 1881 and 1931 accounted for by successive amalgamations
# Figures from 1991 include the 1989 consolidation of nine isthmus cities and boroughs.

Note: Figures from histories of Auckland City Council and estimates based on official sources.

G.W.A. Bush 5.8.98
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