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Dobson, New Zealand

West Coast · New Zealand

Dobson is a small town in West Coast, New Zealand with a population of 828. Elevation: 180 ft (55 m). Average temperature: 52°F (11°C).

3.3 /5.0
B Good
828 Population 1/sq mi density
180 ft Elevation 55 meters
52°F Avg Temperature 11°C
118.3 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$21,900 Median Income
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$21,900 median income, 5.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$104,000 home value, $520/mo rent

Discover Dobson, 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

Population828
Median Age45.4 yrs
Density1/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$21,900
Per Capita$21,900
Unemployment5.6%

Housing

A
Home Value$104,000
Rent$520
Ownership82.9%
Housing Units331

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
Rain118.3 in/yr
Sunny Days123/yr
Elevation180 ft (55 m)
Population828
Population Density1 / sq mi
Elevation180 ft (55 m)
Coordinates-42.4500°, 171.3500°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceWest Coast
Average Temperature52°F (11°C)
January Average60°F (16°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation118.3 inches (3,004 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$21,900
Median Age45.4 years

About Dobson

Dobson is a small town in New Zealand (West Coast) with a population of 828. The city sits at an elevation of 180 feet (55 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 52°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 60°F in January to 43°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 118.3 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Dobson has a population of 828 with a density of 1 people per square mile, spread across 1,729.6 square miles. The median age is 45.4 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

828
Total Population
1
People / sq mi
45.4yrs
Median Age
17% above New Zealand avg
1,729.6mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Dobson vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Dobson is $21,900, which is 71% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $21,900 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $421, 71% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 76 business establishments.

Income: Dobson vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$21,900
71% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$21,900
Avg Weekly Wage$421

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)76

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Dobson is $104,000, 63% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $520 (55% below the national average of $1,163). 82.9% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 331 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 4.7x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,000
63% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$520
55% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership82.9%
Owner-Occupied82.9%
Renter-Occupied17.1%
Housing Units331

Property Tax

Dobson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 123 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 118.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 180 feet.

Temperature

60°F Jan (16°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average51.9°F
4% below New Zealand avg
January Average60°F (16°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days123 days/yr

Geography

Elevation180 ft (55 m)
Area1,729.6 sq mi (4,479.7 km²)
Population Density1/sq mi
Coordinates-42.4500°N, 171.3500°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 118.3"
211% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Oct) 13.50"
Driest Month (Feb) 6.81"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

356 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.0. Most recent: M4.3 on Mar 28, 2025.

Sep 3, 2010 19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand M7.0 125 km
Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 62 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 70 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 143 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 120 km
Jun 19, 1994 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand M6.0 94 km
Jan 28, 1991 29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.9 57 km
Jan 28, 1991 27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.7 59 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 103 km
Jan 5, 2015 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand M5.6 68 km
May 29, 1995 South Island of New Zealand M5.5 68 km
Sep 19, 2023 Canterbury, New Zealand M5.5 141 km
Mar 30, 1992 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand M5.5 78 km
Jun 21, 1994 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand M5.4 87 km
Feb 15, 1991 38 km S of Westport, New Zealand M5.4 47 km
Feb 9, 2016 79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 147 km
May 4, 2002 66 km W of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 139 km
Aug 29, 1996 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.2 115 km
Feb 10, 1990 85 km ESE of Westport, New Zealand M5.1 99 km
Sep 3, 2010 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand M5.1 138 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 6.5 m (21 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2016 OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND Earthquake 6.5 m 2 143 km
1913 TASMAN SEA Earthquake 1.5 m 73 km
1869 NEW ZEALAND Unknown 0.6 m 44 km
1922 SE. NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 0.4 m 148 km
1978 OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND Meteorological 150 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 60°F (16°C) 8.7 in
February 60°F (16°C) 6.8 in Warmest, Driest
March 58°F (15°C) 9.1 in
April 53°F (12°C) 10.2 in
May 48°F (9°C) 10.5 in
June 44°F (7°C) 9.0 in
July 43°F (6°C) 7.7 in Coldest
August 45°F (7°C) 6.9 in
September 48°F (9°C) 12.4 in
October 51°F (11°C) 13.5 in Wettest
November 54°F (12°C) 12.9 in
December 58°F (14°C) 10.5 in

Dobson has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 43°F in July to 60°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 118.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (13.5") and February the driest (6.8").

View full weather details →

Schools in Dobson

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Paparoa Range School
View full schools details →

Museums in Dobson

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Gem & Mineral Hall
History House

Libraries in Dobson

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Grey District Library0.0

Train Stations in Dobson

1 train stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Moana

Gas Stations in Dobson

1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

NZ #2246560061

Golf Courses in Dobson

1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Lake Brunner Golf Course

Breweries in Dobson

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Monteith's Brewery

Stadiums & Teams in Dobson

TeamLeagueDivision

Ski Resorts Near Dobson

3 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Broken River Ski Area 0.0 $0
Craigieburn Valley Ski Area 0.0 $0
Temple Basin Ski Area 0.0 $0

Airports Near Dobson

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Hokitika AirfieldHKKMedium Airport
Westport AirportWSZMedium Airport
Greymouth AirportGMNSmall Airport
Lake Haupiri/Gloriavale Christian Community AirportSmall Airport

Explore Near Dobson

Meteorites
1
Confirmed meteorite landing sites recorded in NASA meteorite catalog
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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dobson

What is the population of Dobson?

Dobson has a population of 828 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 1 people per square mile, spread across 1,729.6 square miles. The median age of residents is 45.4 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Dobson expensive to live in?

The median household income is $21,900, 71% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $104,000 (63% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $520 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 4.7x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Dobson?

Dobson has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 60°F in January, while summers reach an average of 43°F in July. The area receives 123 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 118.3 inches.

How is the job market in Dobson?

The unemployment rate in Dobson is 5.6%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $421. There are 76 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Dobson?

The median home value in Dobson is $104,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $520. The homeownership rate is 82.9%.

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