Ruahine

NZDep 2
Pop 1,635Median age 49Palmerston North City

Ruahine is a small community in Manawatu-Whanganui with a population of 1,635 and a median age of 49. Median personal income is $51K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Asian, Māori.

Median weekly rent in Ruahine is $635 (635 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 64% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Ruahine: NZDep decile 2 (low deprivation (affluent)).

In 2026, Ruahine recorded 1 building approval (1 house, 0 units), down 91.7% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability64% Stretched
DeprivationDecile 2 Low
Development-92% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$635
House Rent /wk$635
Rent-to-Income64.2%
Lodgements24
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,635
Median Age49
Household Size
Personal Income$51K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European75.2%
Asian13.2%
Māori7.0%
Pacific Peoples3.2%
MELAA1.4%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Education and Training123
Professional, Scientific and Technical87
Health Care and Social Assistance87
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile2/10
NZDep Score919
Low deprivation — among the least deprived areas in NZ.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)1
  Houses1
YoY Change-91.7%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023