Leeston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leeston
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Town
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Island | South Island |
| Region | Canterbury |
| Territorial authority | Selwyn District |
| Ward | Ellesmere |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.44 km2 (0.94 sq mi) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 2,430 |
| • Density | 996/km2 (2,579/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode(s) |
7632
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| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Leeston (Māori: Karumata) is a town on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located 30 kilometres southwest of Christchurch, between the shore of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora and the mouth of the Rakaia River. The town is home to a growing number of services which have increased and diversified along with the population. Leeston has a supermarket, schools (pre-school, primary school and high school), churches, hospital (for the elderly only), gym, cafes, restaurants, medical centre, pharmacy and post office. The Selwyn District Council currently has a service office in Leeston, after the headquarters was shifted to Rolleston.
Demographics
Leeston is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area, and covers 2.44 km2 (0.94 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 2,430 as of June 2023, with a population density of 996 people per km2.
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 2006 | 1,326 | — |
| 2013 | 1,539 | +2.15% |
| 2018 | 2,208 | +7.49% |
Leeston had a population of 2,208 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 669 people (43.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 882 people (66.5%) since the 2006 census. There were 828 households. There were 1,083 males and 1,128 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 39.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 498 people (22.6%) aged under 15 years, 327 (14.8%) aged 15 to 29, 990 (44.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 390 (17.7%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 92.7% European/Pākehā, 9.9% Māori, 0.8% Pacific peoples, 2.0% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).
The proportion of people born overseas was 15.2%, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people objected to giving their religion, 54.5% had no religion, 35.1% were Christian, 0.1% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.1% were Buddhist and 2.2% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 240 (14.0%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 402 (23.5%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,400, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 927 (54.2%) people were employed full-time, 243 (14.2%) were part-time, and 42 (2.5%) were unemployed.
Images for kids
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A rare White Swan feeding at Harts Creek
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Shops on the main street
