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Clifton, New Zealand

Southland · New Zealand

Clifton is a small town in Southland, New Zealand with a population of 1,990. Elevation: 13 ft (4 m). Average temperature: 52°F (11°C).

Data updated June 2026

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
1,990 Population 9/sq mi density
13 ft Elevation 4 meters
52°F Avg Temperature 11°C
46.4 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$32,160 Median Income
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$32,160 median income, 2.7% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.6 / 5.0
$286,000 home value, $1,430/mo rent

Discover Clifton, 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 Clifton

Clifton is the southernmost suburb of New Zealand's southernmost city, Invercargill. It is located close to the shore of the New River estuary on State Highway 1, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) southeast of the city centre and 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) northwest of Woodend. The Clifton Wastewater Treatment Plant is situated in this area.

People

Population1,990
Median Age48.9 yrs
Density9/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$32,160
Per Capita$32,160
Unemployment2.7%

Housing

D
Home Value$286,000
Rent$1,430
Ownership85.7%
Housing Units796

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
Rain46.4 in/yr
Sunny Days271/yr
Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Population1,990
Population Density9 / sq mi
Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Coordinates-46.4484°, 168.3601°
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$32,160
Median Age48.9 years

About Clifton

Clifton is a small town in New Zealand (Southland) with a population of 1,990. The city sits at an elevation of 13 feet (4 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.

Clifton has a population of 1,990 with a density of 9 people per square mile, spread across 225.8 square miles. The median age is 48.9 years, 26% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

1,990
Total Population
9
People / sq mi
48.9yrs
Median Age
26% above New Zealand avg
225.8mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Clifton vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Clifton is $32,160, which is 57% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $32,160 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $618, 57% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 183 business establishments.

Income: Clifton vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$32,160
57% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$32,160
Avg Weekly Wage$618

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)183

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Clifton is $286,000, 1% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,430 (23% above the national average of $1,163). 85.7% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 796 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 8.9x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$286,000
1% above New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,430
23% above New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership85.7%
Owner-Occupied85.7%
Renter-Occupied14.3%
Housing Units796

Property Tax

Climate in Clifton

Clifton has an average annual temperature of 10°C (50°F). The hottest month is Jan (14.1°C), the coldest is Jul (5.4°C). Average annual precipitation is 1101 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 14.1°C / 57°F 9.5° / 18.7° 109.5
Feb 14°C / 57°F 9.3° / 18.6° 79.3
Mar 12.6°C / 55°F 7.8° / 17.5° 84.9
Apr 10.4°C / 51°F 5.7° / 15° 86.2
May 8.2°C / 47°F 4° / 12.5° 103.8
Jun 6°C / 43°F 1.9° / 10° 93.7
Jul 5.4°C / 42°F 1.1° / 9.6° 87.2
Aug 6.7°C / 44°F 2.3° / 11.1° 77.6
Sep 8.5°C / 47°F 4° / 13° 89.9
Oct 9.9°C / 50°F 5.4° / 14.3° 96.6
Nov 11.3°C / 52°F 6.9° / 15.7° 101.4
Dec 13.2°C / 56°F 8.5° / 17.8° 91.0
Clifton 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 13 feet, near sea level.

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

Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Area225.8 sq mi (584.7 km²)
Population Density9/sq mi
Coordinates-46.4484°N, 168.3601°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.4"
22% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 3.0"
Wettest Month (May) 4.29"
Driest Month (Aug) 2.36"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

75 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.6. Most recent: M4.4 on Jan 1, 2025.

Sep 30, 2003 53 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.6 148 km
Feb 28, 2010 48 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.1 132 km
Jul 12, 2008 85 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.1 140 km
Aug 21, 2003 25 km NNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.1 150 km
Apr 25, 2000 35 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.0 148 km
Jul 15, 2009 54 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.9 145 km
Jul 15, 2009 77 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.9 121 km
Jul 15, 2009 82 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.8 111 km
Jul 20, 2011 77 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.7 148 km
Apr 25, 2005 81 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.7 120 km
May 11, 2012 61 km WNW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.7 90 km
May 28, 2011 55 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.7 140 km
Jan 13, 2015 49 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.7 138 km
Aug 25, 2009 122 km W of Riverton, New Zealand M4.6 150 km
Sep 30, 1991 32 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.6 147 km
Aug 20, 2009 121 km W of Riverton, New Zealand M4.5 148 km
Apr 14, 2009 29 km NW of Riverton, New Zealand M4.5 56 km
Mar 3, 2007 60 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.5 146 km
Oct 12, 2000 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.5 88 km
Apr 16, 2004 106 km SW of Te Anau, New Zealand M4.5 145 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km.

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1987 DEEP COVE Meteorological 144 km
1839 WAIKAWA, SOUTHLAND Unknown 62 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 61°F (16°C) 3.7 in Warmest
February 58°F (14°C) 2.6 in
March 56°F (13°C) 3.7 in
April 52°F (11°C) 3.4 in
May 47°F (8°C) 4.3 in Wettest
June 43°F (6°C) 3.7 in Coldest
July 45°F (7°C) 2.8 in
August 44°F (7°C) 2.4 in Driest
September 48°F (9°C) 3.0 in
October 51°F (10°C) 3.5 in
November 53°F (12°C) 2.8 in
December 56°F (14°C) 3.9 in

Clifton has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 43°F in June to 61°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 39.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and August the driest (2.4").

View full weather details →

Schools in Clifton

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
OneSchool Global Invercargill
View full schools details →

Museums in Clifton

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

Libraries in Clifton

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Invercargill Public Library0.0

Gas Stations in Clifton

1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Allied Petroleum

Breweries in Clifton

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Invercargill Brewery

Airports Near Clifton

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Clifton

What is the population of Clifton?

Clifton has a population of 1,990 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 48.9 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Clifton expensive to live in?

The median household income is $32,160, 57% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $286,000 (1% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,430 per month, above the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 8.9x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Clifton?

Clifton 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 Clifton?

The job market in Clifton is very strong, with unemployment at just 2.7% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $618. There are 183 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Clifton?

The median home value in Clifton is $286,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,430. The homeownership rate is 85.7%.

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