Sign In Register

Ashburton, New Zealand

Canterbury · New Zealand

Ashburton is a small city in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 21,300. Elevation: 348 ft (106 m). Average temperature: 53°F (11°C).

Data updated June 2026

1.9 /5.0
D Poor
21,300 Population 1,455/sq mi density
348 ft Elevation 106 meters
53°F Avg Temperature 11°C
27.1 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$18,240 Median Income
D
Overall
1.9 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$18,240 median income, 4.0% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$187,200 home value, $936/mo rent

Discover Ashburton, New Zealand

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile

People

Population21,300
Median Age58.7 yrs
Density1,455/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$18,240
Per Capita$18,240
Unemployment4.0%

Housing

F
Home Value$187,200
Rent$936
Ownership66.7%
Housing Units8,520

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (11°C)
Rain27.1 in/yr
Sunny Days287/yr
Elevation348 ft (106 m)
Population21,300
Population Density1,455 / sq mi
Elevation348 ft (106 m)
Coordinates-43.8983°, 171.7301°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceCanterbury
Average Temperature53°F (11°C)
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average42°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation27.1 inches (687 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$18,240
Median Age58.7 years

About Ashburton

Ashburton is a small city in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 21,300. The city sits at an elevation of 348 feet (106 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 53°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 62°F in January to 42°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 27.1 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Ashburton has a population of 21,300 with a density of 1,455 people per square mile, spread across 14.6 square miles. The median age is 58.7 years, 51% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

21,300
Total Population
1,455
People / sq mi
58.7yrs
Median Age
51% above New Zealand avg
14.6mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Ashburton vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Ashburton is $18,240, which is 76% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $18,240 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $351, 75% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 1,960 business establishments.

Income: Ashburton vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$18,240
76% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$18,240
Avg Weekly Wage$351

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)1,960

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Ashburton is $187,200, 34% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $936 (20% below the national average of $1,163). 66.7% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 8,520 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 10.3x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$187,200
34% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$936
20% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership66.7%
Owner-Occupied66.7%
Renter-Occupied33.3%
Housing Units8,520

Property Tax

Climate in Ashburton

Ashburton has an average annual temperature of 12.5°C (55°F). The hottest month is Jan (17.7°C), the coldest is Jul (7.7°C). Average annual precipitation is 632 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 17.7°C / 64°F 10.8° / 29° 34.7
Feb 17.2°C / 63°F 10.2° / 29.2° 51.2
Mar 15.5°C / 60°F 9.3° / 26.4° 43.8
Apr 13.1°C / 56°F 7.2° / 22.5° 38.6
May 10.9°C / 52°F 5.5° / 20.3° 56.1
Jun 8.6°C / 47°F 3.8° / 15.9° 54.0
Jul 7.7°C / 46°F 2.8° / 15.2° 85.4
Aug 8.2°C / 47°F 2.6° / 16.2° 49.0
Sep 9.8°C / 50°F 3.3° / 18.4° 38.8
Oct 11.5°C / 53°F 4.6° / 21.4° 60.7
Nov 14.2°C / 58°F 7° / 24.7° 49.0
Dec 16.1°C / 61°F 8.9° / 26.6° 71.3
Ashburton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 287 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 27.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 348 feet.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 42°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below New Zealand avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average42°F (6°C)
Sunny Days287 days/yr

Geography

Elevation348 ft (106 m)
Area14.6 sq mi (37.9 km²)
Population Density1,455/sq mi
Coordinates-43.8983°N, 171.7301°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.1"
29% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Apr) 2.56"
Driest Month (Sep) 1.77"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

625 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.0. Most recent: M3.0 on Aug 30, 2025.

Sep 3, 2010 19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand M7.0 43 km
Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 104 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 102 km
Feb 21, 2011 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand M6.1 84 km
Jun 19, 1994 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand M6.0 70 km
Jun 13, 2011 9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.9 90 km
Feb 14, 2016 12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.8 96 km
Feb 22, 2011 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.6 79 km
Jan 5, 2015 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand M5.6 102 km
Mar 30, 1992 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand M5.5 88 km
Feb 22, 2011 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.5 82 km
May 29, 1995 South Island of New Zealand M5.5 96 km
Sep 19, 2023 Canterbury, New Zealand M5.5 54 km
Jun 21, 1994 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand M5.4 78 km
Jan 1, 2012 21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.2 104 km
Jun 21, 2011 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.2 72 km
Jun 13, 2011 10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.2 90 km
Jan 14, 2012 10 km E of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.1 92 km
Oct 4, 2010 5 km ESE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 75 km
Jan 19, 2011 2 km S of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 71 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 5.0 m (16 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1895 PIEGON BAY Meteorological 5.0 m - 97 km
1881 PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA) Earthquake 3.0 m - 97 km
1856 S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND Unknown 1.0 m - 24 km
1869 NEW ZEALAND Unknown 0.6 m - 145 km
1922 SE. NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 0.4 m - 143 km
1978 OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND Meteorological - - 135 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 2.2 in Warmest
February 61°F (16°C) 2.1 in
March 59°F (15°C) 2.4 in
April 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in Wettest
May 48°F (9°C) 2.4 in
June 43°F (6°C) 2.1 in
July 42°F (6°C) 2.3 in Coldest
August 45°F (7°C) 2.6 in
September 49°F (9°C) 1.8 in Driest
October 53°F (12°C) 2.2 in
November 56°F (13°C) 2.2 in
December 60°F (15°C) 2.3 in

Ashburton has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 42°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 27.0 inches, with April being the wettest month (2.6") and September the driest (1.8").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Ashburton

Institution Type Founded Website
Ara Institute of Canterbury College - ,

Schools in Ashburton

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Ashburton Borough School (Lagmhor) - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Ashburton

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Compass FM community radio, local news MP3 128 kbps

Museums in Ashburton

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Ashburton Art Gallery & Heritage Centre
The Ashburton Fire Museum
The Plains Museum
The Plains Museum

Libraries in Ashburton

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Ashburton Public Library0.0

Cafes in Ashburton

1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Eat Cafe

Stadiums & Teams in Ashburton

TeamLeagueDivision

Ski Resorts Near Ashburton

2 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Mount Hutt Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Porters Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Ashburton

13 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Timaru AirportTIUMedium Airport
Anama airstrip-Small Airport
Arrowsmith Station-Small Airport
Ashburton AirportASGSmall Airport
Dunsandel-Small Airport
Forest Field Aerodrome-Small Airport
Hakatere Airstrip-Small Airport
Manuka Point Lodge Airstrip-Small Airport
Mount Hutt Station Airstrip-Small Airport
Pudding Hill Aerodrome-Small Airport
Rangitata Island Airport-Small Airport
Springfield Airport-Small Airport
West Melton Aerodrome-Small Airport

Quick Facts

Timezone
Pacific/Auckland

🇳🇿 About New Zealand

Capital Wellington
Population 4,885,500
Area 268,680 km²
GDP (USD) $255,194,972,673
GDP per capita $49,076
HDI 0.939
Life expectancy 83.0 years
Internet users 96.2%
Urban population 83.9%
Currency NZD (Dollar)
Languages English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
Calling code +64
TLD .nz
Driving side left

Public Holidays in New Zealand

23 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Jan 2 Day after New Year's Day Day after New Year's Day
Jan 19 Wellington Anniversary Day Wellington Anniversary Day
Jan 26 Auckland Anniversary Day Auckland/Northland Anniversary Day
Feb 2 Nelson Anniversary Day Nelson Anniversary Day
Feb 6 Waitangi Day Waitangi Day
Mar 9 Taranaki Anniversary Day Taranaki Anniversary Day
Mar 23 Otago Anniversary Day Otago Anniversary Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
Apr 7 Southland Anniversary Day Southland Anniversary Day
Apr 27 Anzac Day Anzac Day
Jun 1 King's Birthday King's Birthday
Jul 10 Matariki Matariki
Sep 28 Canterbury (South) Anniversary Day Dominion Day
Oct 23 Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day
Oct 26 Labour Day Labour Day
Nov 2 Marlborough Anniversary Day Marlborough Anniversary Day
Nov 13 Canterbury Anniversary Day Canterbury (North & Central) Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Chatham Islands Anniversary Day Chatham Islands Anniversary Day
Nov 30 Westland Anniversary Day Westland Anniversary Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 28 Boxing Day Boxing Day

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Ashburton.

Get Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Ashburton

What is the population of Ashburton?

Ashburton has a population of 21,300 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 1,455 people per square mile, spread across 14.6 square miles. The median age of residents is 58.7 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Ashburton expensive to live in?

The median household income is $18,240, 76% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $187,200 (34% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $936 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 10.3x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Ashburton?

Ashburton has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 62°F in January, while summers reach an average of 42°F in July. The area receives 287 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 27.1 inches.

How is the job market in Ashburton?

Ashburton has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 4.0%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $351. There are 1,960 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Ashburton?

The median home value in Ashburton is $187,200. For renters, the median monthly rent is $936. The homeownership rate is 66.7%.

Nearby Cities

Compare Ashburton with another city: