Blaketown is a suburb to the west of Greymouth on the West Coast of New Zealand.[3] The Grey River separates Blaketown from Cobden, and the Blaketown Lagoon separates it from the centre of Greymouth.[4][5]
The town is named after Isaac Blake, an early storekeeper in the district.[6]
Demographics
Blaketown covers 0.69 km2 (0.27 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 900 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 1,304 people per km2.
Blaketown had a population of 810 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 30 people (−3.6%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 54 people (−6.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 375 households, comprising 414 males and 396 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.05 males per female. The median age was 42.2 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 135 people (16.7%) aged under 15 years, 147 (18.1%) aged 15 to 29, 390 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 141 (17.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.3% European/Pākehā, 11.1% Māori, 1.9% Pasifika, 2.6% Asian, and 1.5% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 9.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.7% had no religion, 27.4% were Christian, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.7% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 3.3% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 54 (8.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 234 (34.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 69 people (10.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 330 (48.9%) people were employed full-time, 108 (16.0%) were part-time, and 24 (3.6%) were unemployed.[7]
Education
Blaketown School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 72 students as of August 2024.[8][9]
