Upper Riccarton

Upper Riccarton, comprising the statistical areas of Upper Riccarton, Bush Inn and Wharenui, covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Upper Riccarton had a population of 7,533 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 630 people (9.1%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 1,350 people (21.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 2,223 households, comprising 4,026 males and 3,507 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.15 males per female, with 852 people (11.3%) aged under 15 years, 2,973 (39.5%) aged 15 to 29, 2,508 (33.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,200 (15.9%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 56.6% European/Pākehā, 7.5% Māori, 4.4% Pasifika, 35.0% Asian, and 3.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 43.5, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 43.7% had no religion, 40.1% were Christian, 0.3% had Māori religious beliefs, 3.5% were Hindu, 2.8% were Muslim, 1.6% were Buddhist and 3.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 1,485 (22.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 903 (13.5%) people had no formal qualifications. 315 people (4.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,271 (34.0%) people were employed full-time, 1,218 (18.2%) were part-time, and 348 (5.2%) were unemployed. ==Economy==

Bush Inn Centre is located in Upper Riccarton and has 45 stores. In June 2023, it was reported that the mall had low foot traffic and several sites were vacant. The mall manager and some shop owners spoke of tough trading conditions. ==Education==

Riccarton High School is a secondary school for years 9 to 13. It has a roll of students. It opened in 1958. Kirkwood Intermediate is an intermediate school for years 7 to 8, with a roll of students. It opened in 1959. It has a roll of students. The school opened in 1859 as Riccarton Church School, and became Riccarton District School in 1864, and later Riccarton Primary School. Middleton Grange School is a state-integrated composite school for years 1 to 13. It has a roll of students. It started as a private Christian school in 1964 and became state-integrated in 1996. Villa Maria College is a Catholic state-integrated girls' secondary school for years 7 to 13. It has a roll of students. The school opened in 1918, and became state-integrated in 1981. The corresponding Catholic primary and boys' schools, Our Lady of Victories and St Thomas of Canterbury College, are in Sockburn. Schools are coeducational and state operated unless otherwise noted. Rolls are as of The Upper Riccarton Library is operated as a joint community and school library with Riccarton High. This began with the signing of an agreement in 2004 and was opened on 23 January 2006. The library features a café, meeting rooms and multiple other community resources. ==Notes==