Nelson – more divorced and separated people, less smoking and religion

4 February 2014

Latest results from the 2013 Census show that Nelson has the highest proportion of divorced, separated, or widowed people in New Zealand, and has seen a huge drop in the number of teenage smokers.

2013 Census regional summary tables – part 2, released today, gives an interesting impression of the Nelson region and its districts.

“For instance, in the 2013 Census, 21.4 percent of the adult Nelson population said they were separated, divorced, or widowed. That’s the highest proportion in the country and compares with 17.0 percent nationally. At the same time, Nelson was one of the few regions to record an increase in the proportion of married people, which rose slightly from 47.1 percent to 47.2 percent of the adult population,” Census General Manager Sarah Minson said.

2013 Census results show a 24.2 percent drop in the number of smokers in the region since 2006, with 1,527 fewer people aged 15 years or over smoking regularly. The proportion of regular smokers in the region has gone from 19.6 percent of the adult population in 2006, to 13.8 percent last year.

Among people aged 15–19 years the change has been particularly significant, with a 49.2 percent drop in the number of regular smokers since 2006. In last year’s census, 11.2 percent of Nelson residents in this age group reported smoking regularly, down from 19.3 percent in 2006 – a decrease of 273 people.

“This local breakdown of census information is some of the most important, as it will help communities and service providers plan for the future,” Ms Minson said. “Providers of local services such as health, education, community, and recreational facilities can use census data to form a picture of the region and what it needs to succeed.”

2013 Census regional summary tables – part 2 has more information on topics such as religion, relationship status, occupation, and smoking.

ENDS

© Scoop Media