18 Districts Showdown – The “Most” of Hong Kong
Hong Kong's 18 District Council districts each have their own unique characteristics: some districts are densely populated, some have higher household incomes, while some feature a relatively younger demographic structure. By using a few easy-to-understand indicators in 2024, this article provides a quick comparison of the 18 districts, helping you see where your district stands.
Which district had the largest population?
Sha Tin has been Hong Kong’s most populous district for many years. Nearly 700 000 persons lived in, Sha Tin accounted for about 9.4% of the territory-wide population (i.e. about one in ten of Hong Kong’s people lived in Sha Tin). Yuen Long ranked second with over 670 000 residents, followed closely by Kwun Tong with a population of more than 660 000.
Owing to its small area, Kwun Tong had the highest population density in Hong Kong, with nearly 60 000 persons per km2, far higher than the average population density in Hong Kong (about 7 000 persons per km2).
Which district had the highest household income?
Central & Western recorded the highest median monthly household income of $42,400 among districts. Sai Kung and Wan Chai followed closely behind, ranking second and third with median monthly household incomes of $41,200 and $40,800 respectively, both exceeding $40,000. It is worth noting that when assessing the economic condition of a household, in addition to income level, factors such as assets and liabilities, living expenditure, and household structures should also be considered.
Which district was the "youngest", and which was the most "mature"?
Islands was by far the “youngest” district in 2024, with a median age of 42, five years younger than the territory-wide median age of 47. Most other districts had a median age between 45 and 49.
In contrast, Wong Tai Sin and Eastern were relatively “mature” districts, with median age reaching 50-ish, at 51 and 50 respectively. These districts showed notable population ageing, with more than a quarter of the residents aged 65 and over, exceeding the overall elderly proportion in Hong Kong (22.3%).
If you want to access more detailed statistics of the 18 districts, you may refer to the statistical products below:
- "Population and Household Statistics Analysed by District Council District"
- Land area, mid-year population and population density by District Council district
- District Profiles (Population and Households)
LUN Ming-chung
Statistician
23 October 2025