Waikari is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement and covers . It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Waikari is part of the larger
Upper Hurunui statistical area. Waikari had a population of 264 at the
2018 New Zealand census, unchanged since the
2013 census, and an increase of 12 people (4.8%) since the
2006 census. There were 120 households, comprising 141 males and 126 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.12 males per female, with 36 people (13.6%) aged under 15 years, 27 (10.2%) aged 15 to 29, 123 (46.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 78 (29.5%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 92.0% European/
Pākehā, 11.4%
Māori, 4.5%
Pasifika, and 2.3% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.3% had no religion, 37.5% were
Christian and 2.3% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 15 (6.6%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 75 (32.9%) people had no formal qualifications. 12 people (5.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 84 (36.8%) people were employed full-time, 36 (15.8%) were part-time, and 9 (3.9%) were unemployed. ==Education==