The Awarua Plains statistical area covers within
Southland District. It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Awarua Plains had a population of 1,020 at the
2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 6 people (−0.6%) since the
2013 census, and an increase of 57 people (5.9%) since the
2006 census. There were 360 households, comprising 531 males and 489 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female. The median age was 32.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 267 people (26.2%) aged under 15 years, 195 (19.1%) aged 15 to 29, 471 (46.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 87 (8.5%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 81.5% European/
Pākehā, 13.2%
Māori, 1.8%
Pasifika, 11.8%
Asian, and 3.2% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.1, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.2% had no religion, 39.7% were
Christian, 0.3% had
Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were
Hindu, 0.9% were
Muslim, 0.6% were
Buddhist and 1.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 117 (15.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 150 (19.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $40,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 120 people (15.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 462 (61.4%) people were employed full-time, 150 (19.9%) were part-time, and 15 (2.0%) were unemployed. ==Radio facilities==