| West Plains | |
| Settlement Type: | Locality |
| Coordinates: | -46.369°N 168.312°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | New Zealand |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Southland region |
| Subdivision Type2: | Territorial authority |
| Subdivision Name2: | Invercargill |
| Seat Type: | Electorates |
| Leader Name: | Southland District Council |
| Leader Title1: | Regional council |
| Leader Name1: | Southland Regional Council |
| Leader Title2: | Mayor of Southland |
| Leader Title3: | Invercargill MP |
| Leader Title4: | Te Tai Tonga MP |
| Area Total Km2: | 87.87 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Blank Name: | Local iwi |
| Blank Info: | Ngāi Tahu |
West Plains is a locality in the Southland Region of New Zealand, northwest of Invercargill and north of Otatara. Ōreti River and its tributary Makarewa River flow through the plains.[1] It is part of the Southland Plains.
West Plains-Makarewa statistical area covers 87.87km2[2] and had an estimated population of as of with a population density of people per km2.
West Plains-Makarewa had a population of 1,608 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 99 people (6.6%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 243 people (17.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 594 households, comprising 852 males and 756 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.13 males per female. The median age was 45.5 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 297 people (18.5%) aged under 15 years, 207 (12.9%) aged 15 to 29, 873 (54.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 231 (14.4%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 94.0% European/Pākehā, 11.8% Māori, 2.1% Pasifika, 1.7% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 7.6, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 52.1% had no religion, 37.9% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Buddhist and 0.7% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 174 (13.3%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 345 (26.3%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $37,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 249 people (19.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 756 (57.7%) people were employed full-time, 237 (18.1%) were part-time, and 30 (2.3%) were unemployed.
West Plains School was established c.1882.[3] It was merged to Grasmere School in January 2005.[4]