Hamilton Central is the central business district of Hamilton, New Zealand. It is located on the western banks of the Waikato River.
Demographics
Hamilton Central covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Hamilton North is also part of the Central Business District.
Hamilton Central had a population of 798 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 129 people (19.3%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 126 people (18.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 366 households, comprising 435 males and 366 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.19 males per female. The median age was 31.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 45 people (5.6%) aged under 15 years, 327 (41.0%) aged 15 to 29, 354 (44.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 72 (9.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 58.3% European/Pākehā, 17.3% Māori, 4.1% Pacific peoples, 26.7% Asian, and 5.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 39.8, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.4% had no religion, 32.7% were Christian, 1.1% had Māori religious beliefs, 6.8% were Hindu, 1.1% were Muslim, 1.5% were Buddhist and 6.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 240 (31.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 69 (9.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $24,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 126 people (16.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 360 (47.8%) people were employed full-time, 114 (15.1%) were part-time, and 66 (8.8%) were unemployed.
Features of Hamilton Central
Victoria Street
Victoria Street, named after Queen Victoria, is the main street of Hamilton running adjacent to the Waikato River. It stretches from Victoria Bridge to beyond the Fairfield Bridge, but the commercial section ends before Whitiora Bridge. 33 of the city's 105 heritage sites are located on the street. Lonely Planet guide states that Hamilton's "main street has sprouted a sophisticated and vibrant stretch of bars and eateries that on the weekend at least leave Auckland's Viaduct Harbour for dead in the boozy fun stakes." Centre Place is a 1985 shopping mall.
Garden Place
Further along Victoria Street is the pedestrian mall Garden Place. It was carved, after much debate, out of a hill in the late 1930s. The cutting was made through the ridge to allow the formation of Anglesea Street. Later the ridge on the river side of Anglesea Street was bulldozed away, thereby flattening the area for the development of Garden Place and the central CBD around the Hamilton City Council buildings.
The area was initially used as a car park, which was very popular with retailers and shoppers. In 1967, the car park was closed and Garden Place was laid out with grass and trees. A ring road encircled the beautified area, but it was removed in August 1974. The name Garden Place actually refers to the former road, not the grass park area.
Has a shared drive through, created in 2012, as part of a redesign of the Place.
Hood Street Precinct
Hood Street is the main centre of Hamilton's hospitality area, as well as south Victoria Street and Alexandra Street. Many of the city's restaurants and bars are located in the Hood Street vicinity. The street is named after English humourist Thomas Hood.
Casabella Lane
Casabella Lane in Hamilton North is a Spanish themed lane with 21 boutique shops and 9 apartments, built about 2000.
Waikato Institute of Technology
The Waikato Institute of Technology, marketed as Wintec, is one of New Zealand's largest Institutes of Technology/Polytechnics. Its City Centre campus is located between Anglesea Street and Tristram Street near Civic Square and the Hamilton City Council municipal building.
Founders Theatre
Founders Theatre in Hamilton North opened in 1961 but is classified as earthquake-prone and will be demolished.
Waikato Museum
The Waikato Museum was established in 1987. It was designed by Ivan Mercep, who later designed New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa. The museum has five levels and 13 galleries, and more than 38,000 collection objects, relating to tangata whenua, art, science and social history. Te Winika Gallery features Te Whare Waka o Te Winika, a 200-year-old carved waka taua.