Ruby Bay

Ruby Bay is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 4.83 km² (1.86 sq mi)^[4] and had an estimated population of 810 as of June 2025,^[5] with a population density of 168 people per km². It is part of the larger Ruby Bay statistical area.^[8]

Ruby Bay had a population of 795 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 30 people (3.9%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 111 people (16.2%) since the 2013 census. There were 393 males and 402 females in 342 dwellings.^[11] 1.9% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 57.5 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 96 people (12.1%) aged under 15 years, 66 (8.3%) aged 15 to 29, 363 (45.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 270 (34.0%) aged 65 or older.^[9]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 96.2% European (Pākehā); 3.8% Māori; 1.5% Pasifika; 1.1% Asian; 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.6% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.9%, Māori by 1.1%, Samoan by 0.4%, and other languages by 9.8%. No language could be spoken by 1.1% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 30.9, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[9]

Religious affiliations were 23.8% Christian, 0.4% Hindu, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.4% Jewish, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 65.3%, and 9.4% of people did not answer the census question.^[9]

Of those at least 15 years old, 243 (34.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 315 (45.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 138 (19.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $36,800, compared with $41,500 nationally. 108 people (15.5%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 252 (36.1%) full-time, 102 (14.6%) part-time, and 18 (2.6%) unemployed.^[9]

Ruby Bay statistical area covers 11.72 km² (4.53 sq mi)^[12] and had an estimated population of 1,460 as of June 2025,^[13] with a population density of 125 people per km².

Ruby Bay had a population of 1,434 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 78 people (5.8%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 291 people (25.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 705 males, 726 females, and 3 people of other genders in 573 dwellings.^[15] 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 55.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 192 people (13.4%) aged under 15 years, 135 (9.4%) aged 15 to 29, 693 (48.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 414 (28.9%) aged 65 or older.^[14]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 95.4% European (Pākehā); 5.9% Māori; 1.0% Pasifika; 1.5% Asian; 0.4% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 3.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 98.7%, Māori by 1.3%, Samoan by 0.2%, and other languages by 10.0%. No language could be spoken by 1.0% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.2%. The percentage of people born overseas was 29.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.^[14]

Religious affiliations were 24.5% Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 0.4% Buddhist, 0.4% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 0.4% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 65.3%, and 8.8% of people did not answer the census question.^[14]

Of those at least 15 years old, 432 (34.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 585 (47.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 219 (17.6%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $37,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 186 people (15.0%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 501 (40.3%) full-time, 201 (16.2%) part-time, and 24 (1.9%) unemployed.^[14]