In the early 1860s English settlers arrived, establishing themselves at Port Albert, on the Kaipara Coast about 10 kilometres west of Wellsford. These settlers called themselves the Albertlanders, after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort. They were a "breakaway group from the Anglican Church looking for a new world". However, not many of the settlers arrived at Port Albert and the ones who did found it difficult to make a living. The majority of the Albertlanders moved inland, to more fertile areas in the region. As a result, Wellsford was founded. According to local tradition, the name Wellsford is an acronym based on the surnames of the first families who settled in the region. The names were Watson, Edger, Lester, Levet, Simpson, Foster, Oldfield, Ramsbottom and Dibble. Wellsford was part of the Rodney District during its existence from 1989 to 2010.
Wellsford had a population of 1,929 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 216 people since the 2013 census, and an increase of 258 people since the 2006 census. There were 654 households. There were 984 males and 948 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.04 males per female. Of the total population, 447 people were aged up to 15 years, 384 were 15 to 29, 777 were 30 to 64, and 327 were 65 or older. Figures may not add up to the total due to rounding. Ethnicities were 79.5% European/Pākehā, 24.4% Māori, 5.3% Pacific peoples, 6.1% Asian, and 1.7% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas was 17.3, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people objected to giving their religion, 50.4% had no religion, 36.5% were Christian, and 6.4% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 135 people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 381 people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $25,400. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 681 people were employed full-time, 213 were part-time, and 66 were unemployed.
Education
Rodney College is a secondary school with a roll of students. Wellsford School is a full primary school with a roll of students. Rodney College's Board of Trustees was dismissed in August 2008 and a Ministry of Education commissioner appointed. By 2016, the college was performing well. Living Way Christian School closed at the end of 2018 due to falling rolls. Wellsford, Tauhoa, Pakiri, Tapora and Mangawhai Primary Schools all cater for students from year 1-8, and collectively contribute to the annual in take of roughly 80 year 9 students at Rodney College. All the schools are coeducational. Rolls are as of
