area of Arahura-Kumara, which at is much larger than this town, had a population of 1,233 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 66 people (5.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 279 people (29.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 522 households. There were 639 males and 591 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.08 males per female. The median age was 49.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 183 people (14.8%) aged under 15 years, 132 (10.7%) aged 15 to 29, 705 (57.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 210 (17.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 89.1% European/Pākehā, 13.6% Māori, 1.0% Pacific peoples, 3.2% Asian, and 3.4% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). The proportion of people born overseas was 12.4%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 49.9% had no religion, 37.2% were Christian, 0.5% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim and 1.9% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 147 (14.0%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 249 (23.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $31,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 546 (52.0%) people were employed full-time, 171 (16.3%) were part-time, and 24 (2.3%) were unemployed. Former swimming pool In 1934, a community swimming pool was constructed using voluntary labour. The pool was built during the 1930s depression when mining activity and the population of the area had both declined. It was long and wide, with a depth of at the deep end. The pool was built in the unique surroundings of debris left behind from old gold diggings, with the walls made from boulders from the diggings. Water for the pool was conveyed from the Dillmanstown Kapitea Reservoir using old iron pipes recovered from historic sluicing schemes. The pool was originally part of a sports complex for the township including a basketball court and a cricket pitch. The pool is no longer in use but the area has been registered with Heritage New Zealand as a Category 2 listed place. Notable buildings Bank of New Zealand The Bank of New Zealand was first established in Kumara in 1876. St Patrick's Catholic Church St Patrick's was built by the parishioners in 1877. Education Kumara School is a coeducational full primary school