Nelson Central is the central suburb and central business district of Nelson, New Zealand.^[3][4]

The suburb includes the Christ Church Cathedral and the surrounding Church Hill reserve.^[5]

Nelson Provincial Museum, the regional museum, is located in Nelson Central.^[6][7] It opened in its first form in 1842, making it New Zealand's first and oldest museum.^[8]

The Suter Art Gallery was established in 1899,^[9][10]

Other public reserves and facilities in the area include Anzac Memorial Park, Erin Reserve, Hallowell Cemetery, Old Bank Lane Gardens, Paru Paru Reserve, Princes Lookout Reserve, Quakers Acre Cemetery, Queens Gardens, the Riverside Reserve and Pool Complex, and Rutherford Park.^[5]

The Nelson Central-Trafalgar statistical area covers 1.25 km² (0.48 sq mi).^[1] It had an estimated population of 850 as of June 2023,^[2] with a population density of 680 people per km².

Nelson Central-Trafalgar had a population of 675 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 96 people (16.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 192 people (39.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 228 households, comprising 378 males and 297 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.27 males per female. The median age was 35.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 75 people (11.1%) aged under 15 years, 195 (28.9%) aged 15 to 29, 321 (47.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 87 (12.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 68.9% European/Pākehā, 12.4% Māori, 1.8% Pasifika, 21.3% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 39.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.0% had no religion, 27.1% were Christian, 0.9% had Māori religious beliefs, 8.0% were Hindu, 1.8% were Muslim, 3.1% were Buddhist and 4.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 138 (23.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 60 (10.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $23,300, compared with $31,800 nationally. 60 people (10.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 255 (42.5%) people were employed full-time, 132 (22.0%) were part-time, and 42 (7.0%) were unemployed.^[11]

Nelson College for Girls is a state secondary school for Year 9 to 13 girls.^[12][13] It has a roll of 884 as of February 2024.^[14]

Nelson College for Girls Preparatory School is a private preparatory school for Year 7 to 8 girls, based on the Nelson College for Girls campus.^[15] It has a roll of 95.^[16]