Peak Population Study
Why do we do a population study in the summer holiday period?
For most of the year the population of the Thames-Coromandel District is around 32,000 people. However, the Coromandel is such a popular holiday destination over the Christmas and New Year period that our District experiences a large influx of visitors, holiday home owners and their friends and family. This causes the population to swell dramatically to well over the usually resident population. This is known as a 'peak' population.
For 2020-21, it was estimated the peak reached 116,300 people on 31 December 2020, a population 2.02 times larger than that at the start of the month. The statistics this year also show that visitors were willing to spend more with domestic tourism spending in the Thames-Coromandel 31 per cent higher in December 2020 than the previous year.
Solid waste collection volumes were 18 per cent lower in 2020/21 than 2019/20, indicating a lower peak population. However, notably peak water supply was 24.8 million litres, ahead of a 22.3 million peak on the same day in the 2019/20 summer.
Previous peak population studies found the peak population in Thames-Coromandel on NYE to be 126,300 (2016/17), 120,874 (2009/10), 137,700 (2007/08) and 142,375 (2003/04).
"Even though numbers overall were done we did have lovely sunshine and very little rain which may have encouraged an extended peak period for domestic tourists," said Laurna White, Communications and Economic Development Group Manager.
The full Infometrics report on our peak population can be downloaded below.
We undertake periodic peak population studies so that information is available to monitor the impact that the summer population has on existing and future infrastructure and services including water, sewerage, roads and parks and reserves. This helps us to plan and make informed decisions regarding the services it provides. Before 2016/17, the last peak population study was in 2009/2010 over the Christmas and New Year period.
Previous copies of peak population studies
To obtain copies of previous documents you can:
- Download the PDF versions available on this website.
- Request a hard copy by phoning Customer Services on 07 868 0200.