Many small towns in the eastern Bay have lost population and commerce in recent decades, as it has become easy for locals to drive to Whakatāne. A high proportion of those who remain are disadvantaged. The residents of Te Teko, 20 kilometres from Whakatāne, provide one such example. In 2001 only 15.7% of its population of 630 had a post-secondary school qualification (compared to 32.2% nationally). The median income was $11,300 ($18,500 nationally), 36.2% of the population was under 15 (22.7%), and the unemployment rate was 32.1% (7.5%).