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Bluff, New Zealand

Southland · New Zealand

Bluff is a small town in Southland, New Zealand with a population of 1,938. Elevation: 102 ft (31 m). Average temperature: 52°F (11°C).

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,938 Population 9/sq mi density
102 ft Elevation 31 meters
52°F Avg Temperature 11°C
46.4 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$22,080 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$22,080 median income, 5.5% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$135,200 home value, $676/mo rent

Discover Bluff, 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.
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Full City Profile

About Bluff

Bluff

Bluff, previously known as Campbelltown, is a town and seaport in the Southland region, on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand serving as the main port of Invercargill. It is the southernmost town in mainland New Zealand and, despite Slope Point and Stewart Island being further south, Bluff is colloquially used to refer to the southern extremity of the country. According to the 2018 census, the resident population was 1,797, a decrease of 6 since 2013.

People

Population1,938
Median Age49.9 yrs
Density9/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$22,080
Per Capita$22,080
Unemployment5.5%

Housing

B
Home Value$135,200
Rent$676
Ownership77.8%
Housing Units775

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
Rain46.4 in/yr
Sunny Days271/yr
Elevation102 ft (31 m)
Population1,938
Population Density9 / sq mi
Elevation102 ft (31 m)
Coordinates-46.6000°, 168.3333°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceSouthland
Average Temperature52°F (11°C)
January Average61°F (16°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)
Annual Precipitation46.4 inches (1,179 mm)
Annual Snowfall3.0 inches (8 cm)
Median Household Income$22,080
Median Age49.9 years

About Bluff

Bluff is a small town in New Zealand (Southland) with a population of 1,938. The city sits at an elevation of 102 feet (31 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 52°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 61°F in January to 45°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 46.4 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Bluff has a population of 1,938 with a density of 9 people per square mile, spread across 225.8 square miles. The median age is 49.9 years, 28% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

1,938
Total Population
9
People / sq mi
49.9yrs
Median Age
28% above New Zealand avg
225.8mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Bluff vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Bluff is $22,080, which is 71% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $22,080 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $425, 70% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.5% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 178 business establishments.

Income: Bluff vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$22,080
71% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$22,080
Avg Weekly Wage$425

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.5%
53% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)178

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Bluff is $135,200, 52% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $676 (42% below the national average of $1,163). 77.8% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 775 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 6.1x, above the traditionally affordable threshold of 3-4x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$135,200
52% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$676
42% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership77.8%
Owner-Occupied77.8%
Renter-Occupied22.2%
Housing Units775

Property Tax

Climate in Bluff

Bluff has an average annual temperature of 10.1°C (50°F). The hottest month is Jan (14.2°C), the coldest is Jul (5.2°C). Average annual precipitation is 1150 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 14.2°C / 58°F 9.6° / 18.8° 105.2
Feb 14.2°C / 58°F 9.6° / 18.7° 85.7
Mar 12.6°C / 55°F 7.9° / 17.4° 97.4
Apr 10.4°C / 51°F 5.8° / 15° 80.4
May 8.4°C / 47°F 4.1° / 12.6° 116.2
Jun 6.2°C / 43°F 2.3° / 10.1° 111.3
Jul 5.2°C / 41°F 0.9° / 9.4° 89.6
Aug 6.6°C / 44°F 2.2° / 11.1° 86.9
Sep 8.8°C / 48°F 4.3° / 13.4° 82.1
Oct 9.9°C / 50°F 5.4° / 14.3° 92.0
Nov 11.1°C / 52°F 6.8° / 15.4° 101.0
Dec 13°C / 55°F 8.5° / 17.5° 102.4
Bluff experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 271 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 46.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.0 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 102 feet.

Temperature

61°F Jan (16°C) 45°F Jul (7°C)
Annual Average51.8°F
4% below New Zealand avg
January Average61°F (16°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)
Sunny Days271 days/yr

Geography

Elevation102 ft (31 m)
Area225.8 sq mi (584.7 km²)
Population Density9/sq mi
Coordinates-46.6000°N, 168.3333°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.4"
22% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 3.0"
Wettest Month (May) 4.53"
Driest Month (Nov) 2.13"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

46 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.1. Most recent: M4.1 on Aug 20, 2023.

Jul 12, 2008 85 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.1 147 km
Feb 28, 2010 48 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.1 143 km
Jul 15, 2009 77 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.9 129 km
Jul 15, 2009 82 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.8 115 km
Jan 13, 2015 49 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.7 150 km
Apr 25, 2005 81 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.7 127 km
May 11, 2012 61 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.7 94 km
Aug 20, 2009 121 km W of Riverton, New Zealand M4.5 150 km
Apr 14, 2009 29 km NW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.5 66 km
Oct 12, 2000 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.5 92 km
Sep 30, 2003 55 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 150 km
Oct 23, 2013 41 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 145 km
Apr 20, 2001 35 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 132 km
Mar 11, 1995 34 km SSE of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 106 km
Mar 17, 2020 70 km S of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.4 119 km
May 13, 2009 64 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.4 120 km
Feb 16, 2018 41 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.3 138 km
May 23, 2014 47 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.3 142 km
Feb 10, 2005 129 km WSW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.3 141 km
Feb 6, 2006 62 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.3 134 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 61 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 61°F (16°C) 2.8 in Warmest
February 57°F (14°C) 3.2 in
March 55°F (13°C) 3.4 in
April 51°F (11°C) 3.4 in
May 47°F (8°C) 4.5 in Wettest
June 44°F (6°C) 4.0 in Coldest
July 45°F (7°C) 3.1 in
August 44°F (7°C) 2.4 in
September 48°F (9°C) 3.0 in
October 50°F (10°C) 3.3 in
November 52°F (11°C) 2.1 in Driest
December 55°F (13°C) 2.4 in

Bluff has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 44°F in June to 61°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 37.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and November the driest (2.1").

View full weather details →

Schools in Bluff

2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Bluff School
St Teresa's School
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Bluff

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Museums in Bluff

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Awarua Communications Museum
Bill Richardson Transport World
Bluff Maritime Museum
Classic Motorcycles Mecca

Libraries in Bluff

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Invercargill Public Library0.0

Restaurants in Bluff

4 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Galley Takeaways
Lands End
Oyster Cove Cafe and Bar
Oysters

Cafes in Bluff

3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Anchorage Cafe & Wine Bar
Stella's Cafe & Chinese Takeaway
The Lighthouse Gallery

Gas Stations in Bluff

2 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Challenge
G.A.S.

Golf Courses in Bluff

2 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Bluff Golf Course
Ringa Ringa Heights

Breweries in Bluff

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Invercargill Brewery

Airports Near Bluff

6 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Invercargill AirportIVCMedium Airport
Center Island AirstripSmall Airport
Centre Bush AerodromeSmall Airport
Gore3 AirportSmall Airport
Mandeville AerodromeSmall Airport
Ryan's Creek AerodromeSZSSmall Airport

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Bluff

1 UNESCO sites.

SiteCategoryYear
New Zealand Sub-Antarctic IslandsNatural1998

Churches & Religious Organizations in Bluff

3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Bluff Christian Fellowship
Bluff Greenhills Cooperating Parish / Bluff Cooperating Church
St Mary, Star of the Sea Bluff

Explore Near Bluff

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

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Bluff

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands
Natural · inscribed 1998
The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands consist of five island groups (the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island) in the Southern Ocean south-east of New Zealand. The islands, lying between the Antarctic and Subtropical ...

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bluff

What is the population of Bluff?

Bluff has a population of 1,938 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 9 people per square mile, spread across 225.8 square miles. The median age of residents is 49.9 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Bluff expensive to live in?

The median household income is $22,080, 71% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $135,200 (52% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $676 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 6.1x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Bluff?

Bluff has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 61°F in January, while summers reach an average of 45°F in July. The area receives 271 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 46.4 inches, with 3.0 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Bluff?

The unemployment rate in Bluff is 5.5%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $425. There are 178 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Bluff?

The median home value in Bluff is $135,200. For renters, the median monthly rent is $676. The homeownership rate is 77.8%.

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