| Waihou | |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Coordinates: | -37.574°N 175.674°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Waikato |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Matamata-Piako District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Ward |
| Subdivision Name3: | Te Aroha Ward |
| Leader Title: | Territorial Authority |
| Leader Name: | Matamata-Piako District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | Waikato Regional Council |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 0.52 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
Waihou is a rural settlement in the Matamata-Piako District and Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.
It is located on between Te Aroha and Morrinsville and west of the Waihou River.[1]
Waihou Recreational Reserve provides sporting facilities.[2]
At the beginning of the 20th century, Waihou had a population of about 100, a railway siding and a primary school.[3]
Statistics New Zealand describes Waihou as a rural settlement, which covers 0.52km2[4] and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2. Waihou is part of the larger Waihou-Manawaru statistical area.
Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a larger boundary, covering 1.29km2.[4] Using that boundary, Waihou had a population of 318 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 48 people (17.8%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 57 people (21.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 120 households, comprising 165 males and 156 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.06 males per female, with 63 people (19.8%) aged under 15 years, 54 (17.0%) aged 15 to 29, 129 (40.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 75 (23.6%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 88.7% European/Pākehā, 13.2% Māori, 4.7% Pacific peoples, 1.9% Asian, and 3.8% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 63.2% had no religion, 22.6% were Christian, and 0.9% were Hindu.
Of those at least 15 years old, 21 (8.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 81 (31.8%) people had no formal qualifications. 36 people (14.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 117 (45.9%) people were employed full-time, 39 (15.3%) were part-time, and 6 (2.4%) were unemployed.
Waihou School opened in 1880.[5] At the beginning of the 20th century it has 110 students on the roll.[3] It closed in 2000.[6]
Elstow-Waihou Combined School, called Elstow School before 2000, is a full primary school catering for years 1–8. It has a roll of as of It was founded in 1901[7] and is seven kilometres northwest of Waihou.