Russley

For the Russley statistical area prior to the 2023 census, see Burnside, Christchurch § Demographics.

Russley
Suburb
Karnak Crescent
Coordinates: 43.518°S 172.540°E / -43.518; 172.540
Country	New Zealand
City	Christchurch
Local authority	Christchurch City Council
Electoral ward	Waimairi
Community board	Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood
Area
• Land	75 ha (185 acres)
Population  (June 2023)
• Total	2,380

	Christchurch Airport
Yaldhurst	Russley	Avonhead
Broomfield		Riccarton Park Racecourse

Russley is a suburb on the western side of Christchurch city.

The suburb is named after Russley Farm, which was owned by William Chisnell (1827–1876) but sold shortly before his death.

Demographics

Russley covers 0.75 km² (0.29 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 2,380 as of June 2023, with a population density of 3,173 people per km².

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	2,442	—
2013	2,511	+0.40%
2018	2,493	−0.14%
Source:

Before the 2023 census, the suburb was part of the Hawthornden statistical area, which had a larger boundary, covering 1.89 km² (0.73 sq mi). Hawthornden had a population of 2,493 at the 2018 New Zealand census, a decrease of 18 people (−0.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 51 people (2.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 933 households, comprising 1,218 males and 1,272 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.96 males per female. The median age was 37.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 471 people (18.9%) aged under 15 years, 504 (20.2%) aged 15 to 29, 1,098 (44.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 426 (17.1%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 75.0% European/Pākehā, 8.2% Māori, 3.5% Pasifika, 19.6% Asian, and 3.0% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 29.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 47.1% had no religion, 39.7% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 2.3% were Hindu, 1.4% were Muslim, 1.0% were Buddhist and 2.0% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 540 (26.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 261 (12.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $32,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 363 people (18.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 993 (49.1%) people were employed full-time, 312 (15.4%) were part-time, and 72 (3.6%) were unemployed.

Education

Russley School Te Paritō Kōwhai is a full primary school catering for years 1 to 8. It had a roll of 443 as of February 2024. The school opened in 1963.