The Waihemo statistical area, which also includes
Hampden and
Moeraki, and surrounds but does not include
Palmerston, covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Waihemo statistical area had a population of 1,341 at the
2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 21 people (1.6%) since the
2013 census, and an increase of 69 people (5.4%) since the
2006 census. There were 585 households, comprising 690 males and 654 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female. The median age was 49.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 231 people (17.2%) aged under 15 years, 144 (10.7%) aged 15 to 29, 687 (51.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 279 (20.8%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 92.6% European/
Pākehā, 9.4%
Māori, 0.7%
Pasifika, 2.9%
Asian, and 0.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 13.0, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.1% had no religion, 34.7% were
Christian, 0.4% had
Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were
Hindu, 0.2% were
Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 159 (14.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 267 (24.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 135 people (12.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 540 (48.6%) people were employed full-time, 216 (19.5%) were part-time, and 18 (1.6%) were unemployed. ==Education==