Russley

For the Russley statistical area prior to the 2023 census, see Burnside, Christchurch § Demographics.

Russley
Suburb
Karnak Crescent
Interactive map of Russley
Coordinates: 43.518°S 172.540°E / -43.518; 172.540
Country	New Zealand
City	Christchurch
Local authority	Christchurch City Council
Electoral ward	Waimairi
Community board	Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood
Area
• Land	75 ha (190 acres)
Population  (June 2025)
• Total	2,440
• Density	3,300/km2 (8,400/sq mi)

	Christchurch Airport
Yaldhurst	Russley	Avonhead
Broomfield		Riccarton Park Racecourse

Russley is a suburb on the western side of Christchurch city.

The suburb is named after Russley Farm, which was owned by William Chisnell (1827–1876) but sold shortly before his death.

Demographics

Russley covers 0.75 km² (0.29 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 2,440 as of June 2025, with a population density of 3,253 people per km².

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	2,442	—
2013	2,337	−0.63%
2018	2,343	+0.05%
2023	2,325	−0.15%
The 2006 population is for a larger area of 1.89 km2. Source:

Russley had a population of 2,325 in the 2023 New Zealand census, a decrease of 18 people (−0.8%) since the 2018 census, and a decrease of 12 people (−0.5%) since the 2013 census. There were 1,143 males, 1,158 females, and 21 people of other genders in 876 dwellings. 3.7% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 38.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 414 people (17.8%) aged under 15 years, 489 (21.0%) aged 15 to 29, 1,029 (44.3%) aged 30 to 64, and 390 (16.8%) aged 65 or older.

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 69.7% European (Pākehā); 8.4% Māori; 5.4% Pasifika; 22.2% Asian; 3.0% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 95.2%, Māori by 1.8%, Samoan by 1.9%, and other languages by 21.3%. No language could be spoken by 2.2% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.6%. The percentage of people born overseas was 31.2, compared with 28.8% nationally.

Religious affiliations were 35.6% Christian, 2.7% Hindu, 1.4% Islam, 0.1% Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.3% New Age, and 1.7% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 50.3%, and 6.8% of people did not answer the census question.

Of those at least 15 years old, 552 (28.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 969 (50.7%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 390 (20.4%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $40,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 177 people (9.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 954 (49.9%) full-time, 285 (14.9%) part-time, and 33 (1.7%) unemployed.

Education

Russley School Te Paritō Kōwhai is a full primary school catering for years 1 to 8. It had a roll of 425 as of July 2026. The school opened in 1963.