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Balclutha, New Zealand

Otago · New Zealand

Balclutha is a small town in Otago, New Zealand with a population of 4,441. Elevation: 89 ft (27 m). Average temperature: 51°F (10°C).

Data updated June 2026

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,441 Population 1/sq mi density
89 ft Elevation 27 meters
51°F Avg Temperature 10°C
28.9 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$23,760 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$23,760 median income, 3.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$171,600 home value, $858/mo rent

Discover Balclutha, 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

Population4,441
Median Age42.7 yrs
Density1/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$23,760
Per Capita$23,760
Unemployment3.2%

Housing

C+
Home Value$171,600
Rent$858
Ownership76.9%
Housing Units1,776

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (10°C)
Rain28.9 in/yr
Sunny Days284/yr
Elevation89 ft (27 m)
Population4,441
Population Density1 / sq mi
Elevation89 ft (27 m)
Coordinates-46.2339°, 169.7500°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceOtago
Average Temperature51°F (10°C)
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average41°F (5°C)
Annual Precipitation28.9 inches (735 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$23,760
Median Age42.7 years

About Balclutha

Balclutha is a small town in New Zealand (Otago) with a population of 4,441. The city sits at an elevation of 89 feet (27 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 51°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 59°F in January to 41°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 28.9 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Balclutha has a population of 4,441 with a density of 1 people per square mile, spread across 3,133.1 square miles. The median age is 42.7 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

4,441
Total Population
1
People / sq mi
42.7yrs
Median Age
10% above New Zealand avg
3,133.1mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Balclutha vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Balclutha is $23,760, which is 68% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $23,760 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $457, 68% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 409 business establishments.

Income: Balclutha vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$23,760
68% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$23,760
Avg Weekly Wage$457

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)409

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Balclutha is $171,600, 39% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $858 (26% below the national average of $1,163). 76.9% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 1,776 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.2x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$171,600
39% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$858
26% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership76.9%
Owner-Occupied76.9%
Renter-Occupied23.1%
Housing Units1,776

Property Tax

Balclutha experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 41°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 284 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 28.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 89 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 41°F Jul (5°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below New Zealand avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average41°F (5°C)
Sunny Days284 days/yr

Geography

Elevation89 ft (27 m)
Area3,133.1 sq mi (8,114.7 km²)
Population Density1/sq mi
Coordinates-46.2339°N, 169.7500°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.9"
24% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (May) 2.95"
Driest Month (Aug) 1.81"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

13 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.5. Most recent: M3.3 on Jul 25, 2022.

Oct 12, 2000 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.5 28 km
Feb 11, 2004 68 km WSW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.5 114 km
Mar 17, 2020 70 km S of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.4 106 km
Jun 1, 2015 33 km WNW of Dunedin, New Zealand M4.3 63 km
Feb 6, 2011 19 km NNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.1 32 km
Jul 1, 2017 6 km NE of Cromwell, New Zealand M4.1 142 km
Mar 29, 2002 15 km S of Queenstown, New Zealand M4.0 144 km
May 3, 1994 24 km S of Dunedin, New Zealand M3.8 57 km
Jun 30, 2003 64 km SSE of Cromwell, New Zealand M3.8 77 km
May 10, 2004 16 km WNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M3.7 49 km
Feb 24, 2006 45 km NE of Portobello, New Zealand M3.7 125 km
Jul 25, 2022 3 km ESE of Cromwell, New Zealand M3.3 138 km
Jul 17, 2022 4 km SE of Cromwell, New Zealand M2.9 135 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1839 WAIKAWA, SOUTHLAND Unknown - - 65 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 2.8 in Warmest
February 58°F (15°C) 2.3 in
March 56°F (13°C) 2.8 in
April 52°F (11°C) 2.1 in
May 46°F (8°C) 3.0 in Wettest
June 42°F (6°C) 2.4 in
July 41°F (5°C) 2.3 in Coldest
August 44°F (7°C) 1.8 in Driest
September 48°F (9°C) 2.2 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.5 in
November 54°F (12°C) 2.1 in
December 57°F (14°C) 2.7 in

Balclutha has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 41°F in July to 59°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 29.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and August the driest (1.8").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Balclutha

Institution Type Founded Website
Southern Institute of Technology University - ,

Schools in Balclutha

6 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
South Otago High School - - - -
Rosebank School - - - -
Warepa School - - - -
Balclutha Primary School - - - -
Stirling School - - - -
Saint Joseph's School - - - -
View full schools details →

Museums in Balclutha

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Owaka Museum

Hotels in Balclutha

1 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Hotel South Otago

Restaurants in Balclutha

7 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Captains Cafe & Bar
Casafuego
Highway Diner
Peggydale
Raj Indian Restaurant & Takeways
Rusticus
Thai Kai

Cafes in Balclutha

2 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Cafe 55
The Gate Cafe

Dentists in Balclutha

1 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Graham York Dental

Veterinaries in Balclutha

1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Clutha Vets

Gas Stations in Balclutha

4 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Allied Petroleum
BP
Caltex
Z

Banks in Balclutha

3 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

ANZ
Bank of New Zealand
Westpac

Golf Courses in Balclutha

3 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Allan Grange Golf Club
Balclutha Golf Club
Clinton Golf Course

Airports Near Balclutha

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Dunedin International AirportDUDMedium Airport
Balclutha Aerodrome-Small Airport
Roxburgh Aerodrome-Small Airport
Taieri Aerodrome-Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Balclutha

5 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Balclutha Presbyterian Church
Blessed Mary MacKillop Parish
City Impact Church - Balclutha
Jehovah's Witness
Saint Marks

Explore Near Balclutha

Waterfalls
1
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
View all →

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 Balclutha.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Balclutha

What is the population of Balclutha?

Balclutha has a population of 4,441 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 1 people per square mile, spread across 3,133.1 square miles. The median age of residents is 42.7 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Balclutha expensive to live in?

The median household income is $23,760, 68% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $171,600 (39% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $858 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.2x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Balclutha?

Balclutha has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 59°F in January, while summers reach an average of 41°F in July. The area receives 284 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 28.9 inches.

How is the job market in Balclutha?

Balclutha has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 3.2%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $457. There are 409 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Balclutha?

The median home value in Balclutha is $171,600. For renters, the median monthly rent is $858. The homeownership rate is 76.9%.

Nearby Cities

Milton, F7 2,009 pop · 13.1 mi Papatowai, F7 6,593 pop · 26.2 mi Brighton, F7 1,580 pop · 34.1 mi East Taieri, F7 2,570 pop · 36.3 mi Mosgiel, F7 14,800 pop · 37.9 mi Fairfield, F7 2,710 pop · 38.8 mi Wingatui, F7 1,030 pop · 38.8 mi East Gore, F8 8,340 pop · 39.6 mi Gore, F8 13,050 pop · 39.6 mi Green Island, F7 2,440 pop · 40.4 mi Concord, F7 1,580 pop · 40.8 mi Corstorphine, F7 3,890 pop · 41.2 mi Saint Clair, F7 2,470 pop · 41.4 mi Balaclava, F7 2,470 pop · 41.6 mi
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