Russell Forest-Rawhiti statistical area

Russell Forest-Rawhiti statistical area, which also includes Waikare and Karetu, covers 191.37 km² (73.89 sq mi)^[3] and had an estimated population of 800 as of June 2023,^[5] with a population density of 4.2 people per km².

Russell Forest-Rawhiti had a population of 690 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (4.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 42 people (6.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 255 households, comprising 324 males and 363 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.89 males per female. The median age was 48.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 123 people (17.8%) aged under 15 years, 123 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 288 (41.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 153 (22.2%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 47.0% European/Pākehā, 66.5% Māori, 5.7% Pacific peoples, 0.9% Asian, and 1.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 8.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 40.4% had no religion, 33.9% were Christian, 12.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.7% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 51 (9.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 135 (23.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $20,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 27 people (4.8%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 198 (34.9%) people were employed full-time, 108 (19.0%) were part-time, and 30 (5.3%) were unemployed.^[6]