Westown had a population of 4,404 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 138 people (3.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 177 people (4.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,803 households, comprising 2,157 males and 2,247 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 37.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 876 people (19.9%) aged under 15 years, 813 (18.5%) aged 15 to 29, 1,857 (42.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 858 (19.5%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 82.4% European/Pākehā, 19.1% Māori, 2.5% Pacific peoples, 6.8% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 16.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 50.3% had no religion, 37.2% were Christian, 0.5% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.7% were Muslim, 0.7% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 603 (17.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 813 (23.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 429 people (12.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,596 (45.2%) people were employed full-time, 510 (14.5%) were part-time, and 135 (3.8%) were unemployed.[3]
Education
Francis Douglas Memorial College is a boys' secondary (years 7-13) school with a roll of 730 students as of August 2024.[4][5] It is a state-integrated Catholic school, founded in 1959.[6]
Westown School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a roll of 134 students as of August 2024.[4][7]
Richdale, W. L.; etal. (1987). Fifty eventful years: history of the Westown Community Church of Christ, Life & Advent. New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: The Church.
Methodist
Wright, Henry R. (1974). Methodism in Westown: the first fifty years. New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: St Luke’s Church Anniversary Committee?.
School
Westown School 75th jubilee, Easter 2000. New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Westown. 2000.
Gracia, Denis (comp.) (1975). 50th jubilee of Westown Primary School, 1925-1975. New Plymouth, [N.Z.]: Westown School Jubilee Committee [1975]; Taranaki Newspapers.
SW - locality that was formerly part of the defunct South-West Ward until 2022; NPC - locality that was formerly part of the defunct New Plymouth City Ward until 2022; nonCB - area not within a community board
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Westown
