# 2023 Census: Older People Housing and Residential Care Data ## Stats NZ — Housing in Aotearoa New Zealand: 2025 **Source:** [Housing in Aotearoa New Zealand: 2025 Report](https://www.stats.govt.nz/reports/housing-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-2025/) (17 June 2025) **Capture Date:** 2026-06-09 --- ## Overview The Statistics NZ report _Housing in Aotearoa New Zealand: 2025_ (17 June 2025) contains the most comprehensive current data on older people's housing from the 2023 Census. Key data points extracted below for the Seniors KB. --- ## Seniors (65+) Housing Summary | Metric | Figure | Source | | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- | ----------- | | People aged 65+ | 828,588 | 2023 Census | | In non-private dwellings (aged care, etc.) | 4.8% | 2023 Census | | Home ownership (own/family trust) among seniors in private dwellings | >80% | 2023 Census | | In registered retirement villages (private dwellings) | ~40,000 | 2023 Census | | In residential care for older people | 33,417 | 2023 Census | --- ## Residential Care for Older People - **33,417 people** were living in residential care for older people in 2023 - **Increase of 6.6%** since 2018 (31,356 in 2018) - Most residents were in their **80s–90s** - But **nearly 2,000 were aged 30–64**, including ~700 in their 50s — indicating younger people with disabilities or complex health needs in aged care settings ### Age Distribution of Residential Care Residents | Age Group | Count (approx.) | | --------- | --------------- | | 30–49 | ~500 | | 50–59 | ~700 | | 60–64 | ~800 | | 65–79 | ~7,500 | | 80–89 | ~13,000 | | 90+ | ~11,000 | _Note: Approximate breakdown based on report description. Exact age-banded figures available in 2023 Census tables via Aotearoa Data Explorer._ --- ## Retirement Villages - **~40,000 people** lived in registered retirement villages - **96.9% European** ethnicity — extreme ethnic skew - These are classified as **private dwellings** (not residential care), so these residents are not counted in the 33,417 residential care figure --- ## Housing Tenure Among Seniors - **Over 8 in 10** seniors in private dwellings owned their home or held in family trust - National home ownership rate (all ages) increased for first time since 1990s: **64.5% (2018) → 66.0% (2023)** - Older people more likely to have paid off their mortgage, boosting their home ownership rate --- ## Crowding and Housing Quality for Older People The 2023 Census showed 12.2% of people in crowded homes (up from 10.1% in 2013). Older people are less likely to be in crowded housing than younger age groups, but those in rental housing face affordability challenges. **Related housing quality data (disabled older people):** - 46% of disabled people had at least one housing condition issue (cold, damp, mould) vs 36% non-disabled - 35% of people 65+ are disabled (31% men, 38% women) - Source: [Household Disability Survey 2023](https://www.stats.govt.nz/reports/an-overview-of-disability-data-in-aotearoa-new-zealand/) --- ## Alternative Living Situations - **Motor camps:** 3,867 people in private dwellings; 3,633 in non-private motor camps; median age ~60 - **Mobile dwellings (not in motor camp):** 11,556 people, most in their 50s–60s - **Improvised dwellings/shelters:** 3,861 people --- ## Severe Housing Deprivation (Homelessness) Among Older People - **112,496 people** (2.3% of usual resident population) estimated severely housing deprived in 2023 - Prevalence increased from 214.4 to 228.3 per 10,000 (2018→2023) - Higher among Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled — groups that overlap with older population --- ## KB Cross-References - Full report PDF: `09_Housing_and_Property/2025 - Stats NZ - Housing in Aotearoa.pdf` - Employment of 65+: `12_Statistics_and_Demographics/2025 - Stats NZ - Working Lives 65+ Getting Longer.md` - Disability data 65+: `02_Aged_Residential_Care/` (needs cross-reference) - Age care capacity: `02_Aged_Residential_Care/` - Retirement villages: `03_Retirement_Villages/`