Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a smaller boundary, covering 1.79 km2 (0.69 sq mi).[1] Using that boundary, Ferndale had a population of 738 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 48 people (7.0%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 69 people (10.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 264 households, comprising 369 males and 369 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.0 males per female. The median age was 37.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 171 people (23.2%) aged under 15 years, 111 (15.0%) aged 15 to 29, 363 (49.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 90 (12.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 92.7% European/Pākehā, 11.0% Māori, 1.2% Pacific peoples, 3.7% Asian, and 2.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 16.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.7% had no religion, 37.0% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 144 (25.4%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 78 (13.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $38,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. 132 people (23.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 288 (50.8%) people were employed full-time, 105 (18.5%) were part-time, and 15 (2.6%) were unemployed.[4]
SW - locality that was formerly part of the defunct South-West Ward until 2022; NPC - locality that was formerly part of the defunct New Plymouth City Ward until 2022; nonCB - area not within a community board
