Ashley Gorge

{{short description|River Gorge and rural locality in New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

The '''Ashley Gorge''' is a river [[Canyon|gorge]] of the [[Ashley River / Rakahuri]] in [[Canterbury, New Zealand|Canterbury]], New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kiwi Guardians at Ashley Gorge|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/toyota-kiwi-guardians/all-sites/south-island/ashley-gorge/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=[[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|Department of Conservation]]|language=en-nz}}</ref> The river is bridged at the mouth of the gorge by the [[Inland Scenic Route]], formerly designated State Highway 72.<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=Ashley River at Gorge Bridge|url=https://www.theswimguide.org/beach/6853|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208160835/https://www.theswimguide.org/beach/6853 |archive-date=8 February 2021 |access-date=2021-01-30|website=Swim Guide}}</ref> A popular picnic ground and camping area is adjacent to the bridge.<ref name=":0" /> Upstream of the gorge the river flows through the [[Lees Valley]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2009-02-17|title=Ashley Gorge: a summer haven|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/travel-orig/south-island-travel/27103/Ashley-Gorge-a-summer-haven|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>

Ashley Gorge is also the name of a small rural locality 2.5 km southwest of the bridge.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ashley Gorge, Canterbury|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz32837/Ashley-Gorge/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}}</ref>

==Demographics== The Ashley Gorge statistical area covers {{Convert|336.41|km2||abbr=on}}.<ref name="Area">{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Web Application|url=https://statsnz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6f49867abe464f86ac7526552fe19787|access-date=29 August 2021|website=statsnz.maps.arcgis.com}}</ref> It had an estimated population of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Ashley Gorge|y}} as of {{NZ population data 2023 SA2|||y|y||,}} with a population density of {{Decimals|{{formatnum:{{NZ population data 2023 SA2|Ashley Gorge|y}}|R}}/336.41|2}} people per km<sup>2</sup>.

{{Historical populations|2006|690|2013|1,002|2018|1,134|percentages=pagr|align=left|source=<ref name="Census 2018"/>}} Ashley Gorge had a population of 1,134 at the [[2018 New Zealand census]], an increase of 132 people (13.2%) since the [[2013 New Zealand census|2013 census]], and an increase of 444 people (64.3%) since the [[2006 New Zealand census|2006 census]]. There were 420 households, comprising 591 males and 543 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.09 males per female. The median age was 42.3 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 225 people (19.8%) aged under 15 years, 177 (15.6%) aged 15 to 29, 585 (51.6%) aged 30 to 64, and 147 (13.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 95.8% European/[[Pākehā]], 5.0% [[Māori people|Māori]], 1.1% [[Pasifika New Zealanders|Pasifika]], 2.1% [[Asian New Zealanders|Asian]], and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 20.1, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 55.3% had no religion, 34.4% were [[Christianity in New Zealand|Christian]] and 2.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 159 (17.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 171 (18.8%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $33,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 147 people (16.2%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 510 (56.1%) people were employed full-time, 150 (16.5%) were part-time, and 18 (2.0%) were unemployed.<ref name="Census 2018">{{NZ census 2018|Ashley Gorge (313100)|ashley-gorge|Ashley Gorge}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Canyons and gorges of the Canterbury Region]] [[Category:Waimakariri District]]