The population of Central Otago is approximately 16,650. This represents 0.4 percent of New Zealand’s usually resident population.
The main areas are:
- Alexandra - 4,824
- Cromwell - 4,896
- Earnscleugh - 2,715
- Maniototo - 1,710
- Manuherikia - 819
- Roxburgh - 1,683
Central Otago’s population density of 1.5 people per square kilometre is the lowest in the country (the New Zealand average is 13.1 people per square kilometre). This, together with the landscape, gives Central Otago its particular character.
The roads are long and straight and are seldom crowded. The wide-open spaces and vistas are a particular source of pride and pleasure to the locals. But the population is not so thinly spread that the main centres do not offer the same retail and entertainment infrastructure as a found in other New Zealand centres of the same size. Even if it is necessary to go to a main city Dunedin or Invercargill are only two to three hours drive away.
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