a population density of people per km2. Waikanae had a population of 12,711 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 1,605 people (14.5%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 2,148 people (20.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 5,460 households. There were 5,853 males and 6,858 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.85 males per female, with 1,881 people (14.8%) aged under 15 years, 1,344 (10.6%) aged 15 to 29, 4,845 (38.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 4,632 (36.4%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 90.9% European/Pākehā, 9.2% Māori, 2.1% Pacific peoples, 4.5% Asian, and 2.0% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities). The proportion of people born overseas was 24.9%, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 48.8% had no religion, 41.3% were Christian, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.5% were Buddhist and 2.1% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 2,766 (25.5%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 1,635 (15.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 4,011 (37.0%) people were employed full-time, 1,482 (13.7%) were part-time, and 279 (2.6%) were unemployed. It is forecast that Waikanae's relative abundance of unoccupied land and recent or pending improvements in transport links will lead to a population increase to about 15,000 by 2032. Facilities The central Waikanae Village includes two supermarkets, the Mahara Art Gallery, three bank branches, a health centre, three pharmacies, craft and art shops, a post shop, a war memorial hall, a smaller community hall, the Kapiti Coast Museum, a church, a public library, a cinema and a number of other shops, restaurants, and businesses. Nearby are the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, two primary schools (see below), a golf course, bowling club, Waikanae Park rugby and cricket ground, and several retirement centres. Mahara Gallery is an art gallery opened in 1996. Housing Waikanae is the largest of the 14 residential suburbs which lie within the Territorial Authority of the Kapiti Coast, in terms of the total number of residential properties. The greater portion of Waikanae's houses were constructed during the period 1970–1979. Transport The town is located on State Highway 1 and the North Island Main Trunk railway. In February 2017 an expressway diversion was opened to enable State Highway 1 to bypass the centre of