The statistical area of Waipu, which at 137 square kilometres is much larger than the town, includes Waipu Cove and Langs Beach, and extends west past State Highway 1. It had a population of 2,715 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 633 people (30.4%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 897 people (49.3%) since the 2006 census. There were 1,113 households. There were 1,350 males and 1,368 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.99 males per female. Of the total population, 405 people (14.9%) were aged up to 15 years, 291 (10.7%) were 15 to 29, 1,221 (45.0%) were 30 to 64, and 801 (29.5%) were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding.