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Fairfield, New Zealand

Otago · New Zealand

Fairfield is a small town in Otago, New Zealand with a population of 2,710. Elevation: 62 ft (19 m). Average temperature: 53°F (12°C).

Data updated June 2026

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,710 Population 12/sq mi density
62 ft Elevation 19 meters
53°F Avg Temperature 12°C
34.8 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$28,980 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$28,980 median income, 1.6% unemployment
D
Affordability
2.0 / 5.0
$241,200 home value, $1,206/mo rent

Discover Fairfield, 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

Population2,710
Median Age43.6 yrs
Density12/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$28,980
Per Capita$28,980
Unemployment1.6%

Housing

D
Home Value$241,200
Rent$1,206
Ownership89.1%
Housing Units1,084

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
Rain34.8 in/yr
Sunny Days283/yr
Elevation62 ft (19 m)
Population2,710
Population Density12 / sq mi
Elevation62 ft (19 m)
Coordinates-45.9000°, 170.4000°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceOtago
Average Temperature53°F (12°C)
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)
Annual Precipitation34.8 inches (884 mm)
Annual Snowfall1.1 inches (3 cm)
Median Household Income$28,980
Median Age43.6 years

About Fairfield

Fairfield is a small town in New Zealand (Otago) with a population of 2,710. The city sits at an elevation of 62 feet (19 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 53°F (12°C). Temperatures range from 62°F in January to 45°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.8 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Fairfield has a population of 2,710 with a density of 12 people per square mile, spread across 221.7 square miles. The median age is 43.6 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

2,710
Total Population
12
People / sq mi
43.6yrs
Median Age
12% above New Zealand avg
221.7mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Fairfield vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Fairfield is $28,980, which is 61% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $28,980 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $557, 61% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 249 business establishments.

Income: Fairfield vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$28,980
61% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$28,980
Avg Weekly Wage$557

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)249

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Fairfield is $241,200, 14% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,206 (4% above the national average of $1,163). 89.1% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 1,084 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 8.3x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$241,200
14% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,206
4% above New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership89.1%
Owner-Occupied89.1%
Renter-Occupied10.9%
Housing Units1,084

Property Tax

Fairfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 283 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 34.8 inches. The area receives 1.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 62 feet.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 45°F Jul (7°C)
Annual Average52.7°F
2% below New Zealand avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average45°F (7°C)
Sunny Days283 days/yr

Geography

Elevation62 ft (19 m)
Area221.7 sq mi (574.3 km²)
Population Density12/sq mi
Coordinates-45.9000°N, 170.4000°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.8"
8% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 1.1"
Wettest Month (Mar) 3.43"
Driest Month (Aug) 2.17"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

13 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.8. Most recent: M3.3 on Jul 25, 2022.

Feb 8, 1998 42 km WNW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.8 103 km
Oct 12, 2000 15 km N of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.5 90 km
Feb 11, 2004 68 km WSW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.5 77 km
Jun 1, 2015 33 km WNW of Dunedin, New Zealand M4.3 29 km
Feb 6, 2011 19 km NNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M4.1 94 km
Jul 1, 2017 6 km NE of Cromwell, New Zealand M4.1 134 km
Oct 21, 2000 36 km ESE of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.0 102 km
May 3, 1994 24 km S of Dunedin, New Zealand M3.8 22 km
Jun 30, 2003 64 km SSE of Cromwell, New Zealand M3.8 73 km
May 10, 2004 16 km WNW of Papatowai, New Zealand M3.7 112 km
Feb 24, 2006 45 km NE of Portobello, New Zealand M3.7 63 km
Jul 25, 2022 3 km ESE of Cromwell, New Zealand M3.3 131 km
Jul 17, 2022 4 km SE of Cromwell, New Zealand M2.9 129 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 - - 127 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 2.8 in Warmest
February 58°F (15°C) 2.5 in
March 56°F (13°C) 3.4 in Wettest
April 52°F (11°C) 2.5 in
May 47°F (8°C) 2.9 in
June 43°F (6°C) 2.8 in Coldest
July 45°F (7°C) 2.5 in
August 44°F (7°C) 2.2 in Driest
September 47°F (8°C) 2.2 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.8 in
November 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in
December 56°F (14°C) 3.2 in

Fairfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 43°F in June to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 32.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (3.4") and August the driest (2.2").

View full weather details →

Schools in Fairfield

2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Fairfield School - - - -
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Ōtepoti - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Fairfield

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Radio One 91FM community radio, disco MP3 128 kbps
Kiwi Folk Radio folk, local MP3 128 kbps

Museums in Fairfield

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Dunedin Gasworks Museum
Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery
Dunedin Public Art Gallery & Museum
Geology Museum
New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame
Olveston Historic Home
Otago Museum
Port Chalmers Maritime Museum
Taieri Historical Park
The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Libraries in Fairfield

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Archives New Zealand0.0
Black Star Books0.0
Blueskin Bay Library0.0
Dunedin Public Library0.0
Hocken Collections0.0
L Block0.0
Mosgiel Library0.0
Northcroft Library and Study Centre0.0
South Dunedin Community Library0.0
University of Otago Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Fairfield

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Otago Farmer's Market

Golf Courses in Fairfield

1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Island Park Golf Club

Breweries in Fairfield

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Steamer Basin

Stadiums & Teams in Fairfield

TeamLeagueDivision

Airports Near Fairfield

3 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Dunedin International AirportDUDMedium Airport
Balclutha Aerodrome-Small Airport
Taieri 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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Fairfield

What is the population of Fairfield?

Fairfield has a population of 2,710 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 12 people per square mile, spread across 221.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 43.6 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Fairfield expensive to live in?

The median household income is $28,980, 61% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $241,200 (14% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,206 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 8.3x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Fairfield?

Fairfield has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winter temperatures average 62°F in January, while summers reach an average of 45°F in July. The area receives 283 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 34.8 inches, with 1.1 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Fairfield?

The job market in Fairfield is very strong, with unemployment at just 1.6% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $557. There are 249 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Fairfield?

The median home value in Fairfield is $241,200. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,206. The homeownership rate is 89.1%.

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