It is located north east of the city centre near Bottle Lake Forest.

The area between Burwood Hospital and Waimairi Golf Club was occupied by a brickworks established by John Brightling (1842–1928).

Before the 2023 census, the suburb had a smaller boundary, covering 4.77 km2 (1.84 sq mi).

The percentage of people born overseas was 17.2, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 57.7% had no religion, 32.6% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.3% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 1.2% had other religions.