At the 1996 census, the Rakiraki district had a population of 29,137, with 15,325 in the smaller Rakiraki sub-district. Of these, 3361 lived in Vaileka, Rakiraki's principal urban center. The Fiji Times reported on 4 October 2006 that Uraia Waqa, Chairman of the Rakiraki Local Government Authority, had called for Vaileka to be officially incorporated as a Town in order to attract government investment. Local Government and Urban Development Minister Chaitanya Lakshman was reported to be sympathetic to the proposal. The Vaileka Area would be known as Rakiraki Town.
Rakiraki is an area often said to portray Fijian patriotism. Many noted Fijian politicians have originated from this area, such as Sidiq Koya, who fought for Fijian workers' rights. Examples of towns and villages in RakiRaki are Vunikavakaloa, Vaymidia and Basese Koro
