Rakaia is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area and covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Rakaia had a population of 1,440 at the
2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 168 people (13.2%) since the
2013 census, and an increase of 369 people (34.5%) since the
2006 census. There were 576 households, comprising 723 males and 720 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 42.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 303 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 225 (15.6%) aged 15 to 29, 657 (45.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 255 (17.7%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 86.9% European/
Pākehā, 12.9%
Māori, 5.2%
Pasifika, 3.3%
Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.3, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.1% had no religion, 34.8% were
Christian, 0.6% had
Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were
Hindu, 0.2% were
Muslim, 0.6% were
Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 93 (8.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 330 (29.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,500, compared with $31,800 nationally. 135 people (11.9%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 636 (55.9%) people were employed full-time, 162 (14.2%) were part-time, and 24 (2.1%) were unemployed. == Notable buildings ==