Thornton Bay is a settlement on the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand, between Te Puru to the north and Whakatete Bay to the south. State Highway 25 runs through it.[3] Ngarimu Bay immediately to the south is considered to be part of the same urban area by Statistics New Zealand.

Thornton Bay
Bench seat at Thornton Bay
Coordinates: 37.063°S 175.524°E / -37.063; 175.524
Country	New Zealand
Region	Waikato
District	Thames-Coromandel District
Ward	Thames ward
Community Board	Thames Community
Government
• Council	Thames-Coromandel District Council
Area [1]
• Total	0.95 km2 (0.37 sq mi)
Population  (2018)[2]
• Total	309
• Density	330/km2 (840/sq mi)

Thornton's Bay was named for R. Thornton, an orchardist who settled in the area in 1890.[4] Ngarimu Bay is named after Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, the first Māori person to be awarded the Victoria Cross.[5]

Demographics

Thornton Bay-Ngārimu Bay is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.95 km² (0.37 sq mi).[1] Thornton Bay-Ngārimu Bay is part of the larger Thames Coast statistical area.[6]

Thornton Bay-Ngārimu Bay had a population of 309 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 36 people (13.2%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 3 people (−1.0%) since the 2006 census. There were 150 households, comprising 156 males and 153 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.02 males per female, with 21 people (6.8%) aged under 15 years, 27 (8.7%) aged 15 to 29, 129 (41.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 126 (40.8%) aged 65 or older.[2]

Ethnicities were 97.1% European/Pākehā, 8.7% Māori, 1.0% Pacific peoples, 2.9% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.[2]

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 46.6% had no religion, 38.8% were Christian and 1.9% had other religions.[2]

Of those at least 15 years old, 66 (22.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 48 (16.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 45 people (15.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 99 (34.4%) people were employed full-time, 54 (18.8%) were part-time, and 9 (3.1%) were unemployed.[2]

References