(18.1%) aged 15 to 29, 606 (44.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 216 (15.7%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 92.1% European/Pākehā, 10.5% Māori, 1.1% Pacific peoples, 3.7% Asian, and 1.1% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). The proportion of people born overseas was 10.3%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 48.3% had no religion, 44.8% were Christian, 0.2% were Hindu and 0.7% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 129 (12.0%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 246 (23.0%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $39,900, compared with $31,800 nationally. 189 people (17.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 642 (59.9%) people were employed full-time, 186 (17.4%) were part-time, and 24 (2.2%) were unemployed. Railway In 1880, the Waimea Plains Railway was opened; it linked Gore on the Main South Line with Lumsden on the Kingston Branch and passed through Riversdale. The line was an important economic link for many years, and the original Kingston Flyers that gave their name to today's Kingston Flyer tourist train in Kingston passed through Riversdale on their way to Gore or Dunedin from the 1890s through to Easter 1957. With the improvement of road transportation and changes in government regulations, the railway lost its profitability, and in 1971, most of the line was closed, including the section through Riversdale. Education Riversdale School is a state full primary school for years 1 to 8 with a roll of as of The school first opened in 1882. References Populated places in Southland, New Zealand