Immediately north of the township are New Zealand's longest road bridge and longest rail bridge, both of which cross the wide shingle beds of the braided river at this point.

The town and river were previously known as Cholmondeley,[4] but the Māori name would eventually prevail over the English one.

The rural community of Acton is located south of the Rakaia township.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.1% had no religion, 34.8% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.4% were Hindu, 0.2% were Muslim, 0.6% were Buddhist and 1.9% had other religions.

It is considered a typical example of the wooden churches he designed for small parishes.