The Rangitata statistical area, which includes Orari and surrounds but does not include Geraldine, covers 171.84 km2 (66.35 sq mi)[2] and had an estimated population of 1,630 as of June 2024,[3] with a population density of 9.5 people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, Rangitata had a larger boundary, covering 172.13 km2 (66.46 sq mi).[2] Using that boundary, it had a population of 1,653 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 153 people (10.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 432 people (35.4%) since the 2006 census. There were 687 households, comprising 837 males and 816 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.03 males per female. The median age was 50.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 300 people (18.1%) aged under 15 years, 186 (11.3%) aged 15 to 29, 687 (41.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 480 (29.0%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 90.7% European/Pākehā, 5.4% Māori, 1.3% Pasifika, 6.5% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 18.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 45.4% had no religion, 46.3% were Christian, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.1% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 243 (18.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 303 (22.4%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $32,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 216 people (16.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 600 (44.3%) people were employed full-time, 198 (14.6%) were part-time, and 24 (1.8%) were unemployed.[4]
