Hastings Central
Hastings Central is the central suburb and business district of Hastings City, in the Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand's North Island.
Demographics
Hastings Central covers and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.Hastings Central had a population of 429 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 15 people since the 2018 census, and an increase of 63 people since the 2013 census. There were 225 males and 201 females in 183 dwellings. 2.1% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 34.9 years. There were 66 people aged under 15 years, 111 aged 15 to 29, 204 aged 30 to 64, and 51 aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 50.3% European ; 23.1% Māori; 9.1% Pasifika; 25.9% Asian; 3.5% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders ; and 1.4% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 93.7%, Māori by 6.3%, Samoan by 2.1%, and other languages by 22.4%. No language could be spoken by 2.8%. New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.7%. The percentage of people born overseas was 37.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 42.0% Christian, 3.5% Hindu, 1.4% Islam, 2.1% Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% Buddhist, 0.7% New Age, and 5.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 39.2%, and 5.6% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 63 people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 189 had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 111 people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $35,000, compared with $41,500 nationally. 6 people earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 210 full-time, 42 part-time, and 18 unemployed.
Economy and amenities
The Bay Plaza includes a Kmart store. It was renovated in 2013.Hastings City Art Gallery opened in 2009.
Education
Hastings Central has two public schools:- Hastings Central School is a state primary school serving Years 1 to 6, with a roll of. It opened in 1875.
- The associated Kōwhai School is a special school, with a roll of. It opened in 1975.
- St Joseph's School is a state-integrated Catholic primary school serving Years 1 to 8, with a roll of. It opened in 1889.
- St Matthew's Primary School is a state-integrated Anglican primary school serving Years 1 to 8, with a roll of. It opened in 1995.
- Taikura Rudolf Steiner School is a state-integrated Year 2-13 school, with a roll of. It opened in 1950, but was preceded by a preparatory girl's school, Queenswood, which opened about 1921.