Northcote, comprising the statistical areas of Northcote South and Northcote Point, had a population of 5,742 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 393 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 513 people since the 2006 census. There were 1,959 households. There were 2,751 males and 2,991 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.92 males per female, with 1,041 people aged under 15 years, 1,185 aged 15 to 29, 2,718 aged 30 to 64, and 792 aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 73.6% European/Pākehā, 7.7% Māori, 3.7% Pacific peoples, 21.9% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. The proportion of people born overseas was 36.1%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 53.1% had no religion, 34.7% were Christian, and 7.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 1,941 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 354 people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,583 people were employed full-time, 717 were part-time, and 138 were unemployed.
History
In 1882, the St Heliers and Northcote Land Company was formed and some land in the area was subdivided. In 1889 a major subdivision was the result when the Bartley Estate was auctioned. Before the construction of the Harbour Bridge, the Northcote Wharf was heavily utilised by Auckland Harbour ferry services. After the bridge was opened in 1959, the number of ferry crossings fell and the Northcote Point peninsula became a quiet cul-de-sac. The wooden Northcote Tavern was once in the thick of things; it still stands but now surveys a quiet streetscape.
Local government
Northcote had a local government just like other suburbs in Auckland at that time. The local government was called Northcote Borough Council, which started in 1908 and merged into North Shore City Council in 1989. It then amalgamated into Auckland Council in November 2010.
Northcote is surrounded by the suburbs of Birkenhead, Hillcrest and Takapuna to the west and north, and the waters of Shoal Bay, an arm of the Waitemata, to the south and east. State Highway 1 stretches along the waterfront of Shoal Bay, heading north from the bridge towards Albany. To the north of Northcote Point on one of the main routes leading to and from the Harbour Bridge is the Northcote Shopping Centre, which was developed in the early 1960s. It is now a multi-cultural retail hub featuring many Asian food outlets.
Education
is a coeducational secondary school with a roll of. It was established in 1877. During its early years, the College incorporated Standards five and six which were transferred to Northcote Intermediate School when that was established as a separate entity on its present site in Lake Road in Northcote Central in 1958. Northcote Primary School is a coeducational contributing primary school with a roll of. It was established on its present site in 1918. The Northcote area war memorial stands at the front of the school, on the corner of Lake and Onewa Roads. St Mary's School is a primary school with a roll of. It is a state integrated Catholic school, which provides education for both boys and girls in years 1–6, and for girls only in years 7–8. It celebrated its 75th Jubilee in 2008. Rolls are as of
Sport and recreation
Northcote is home to the Northcote Tigersrugby league club and the Northcote Birkenhead Rugby Union Sports Club.
Transport
Auckland ferry services run by Fullers Group stop at Northcote Point, near the northern end of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
