| Fernridge | |
| Settlement Type: | Locality |
| Coordinates: | -40.9337°N 175.6142°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | Territorial authority |
| Subdivision Name2: | Masterton District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Ward |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Leader Title: | Territorial Authority |
| Leader Name: | Masterton District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | Greater Wellington Regional Council |
| Leader Title2: | Mayor of Masterton |
| Leader Title3: | Wairarapa MP |
| Leader Title4: | Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP |
| Area Total Km2: | 84.91 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
Fernridge is a small rural settlement located 4 km northwest of Masterton, New Zealand. The area has a mixture of farms, horticultural smallholdings and lifestyle blocks.
Upper Plain statistical area, which also includes Kaituna and Matahiwi, covers 84.91km2.[1] It had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
Before the 2023 census, the statistical area had a larger boundary, covering 85.23km2.[1] Using that boundary, Upper Plain had a population of 1,224 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 138 people (12.7%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 180 people (17.2%) since the 2006 census. There were 438 households, comprising 639 males and 585 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female. The median age was 46.9 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 249 people (20.3%) aged under 15 years, 156 (12.7%) aged 15 to 29, 576 (47.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 243 (19.9%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 93.4% European/Pākehā, 11.8% Māori, 2.2% Pasifika, 1.7% Asian, and 2.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 14.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.2% had no religion, 39.5% were Christian, 0.2% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.0% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 213 (21.8%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 174 (17.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 195 people (20.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 483 (49.5%) people were employed full-time, 156 (16.0%) were part-time, and 21 (2.2%) were unemployed.
Fernridge School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 6 students,[2] [3] with a roll of as of .[4]