[2] A substantial housing subdivision, serving as a satellite suburb of Ashburton has been built surrounding the lake.

The area is described as a rural settlement by Statistics New Zealand, and includes Huntingdon.

The settlement is part of the larger Eiffelton statistical area.

[5] Before the 2023 census, Lake Hood had a larger boundary, covering 12.64 km2 (4.88 sq mi).

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 42.2% had no religion, and 52.3% were Christian.