Sign In Register

Fairlie, New Zealand

Canterbury · New Zealand

Fairlie is a small town in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 940. Elevation: 1,001 ft (305 m). Average temperature: 49°F (9°C).

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
940 Population 0/sq mi density
1,001 ft Elevation 305 meters
49°F Avg Temperature 9°C
44.5 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$21,660 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$21,660 median income, 1.7% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$156,000 home value, $780/mo rent

Discover Fairlie, 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

Population940
Median Age47.5 yrs
Density0/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$21,660
Per Capita$21,660
Unemployment1.7%

Housing

C+
Home Value$156,000
Rent$780
Ownership73.6%
Housing Units376

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
Rain44.5 in/yr
Sunny Days255/yr
Elevation1,001 ft (305 m)
Population940
Population Density0 / sq mi
Elevation1,001 ft (305 m)
Coordinates-44.1000°, 170.8333°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceCanterbury
Average Temperature49°F (9°C)
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average38°F (3°C)
Annual Precipitation44.5 inches (1,129 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$21,660
Median Age47.5 years

About Fairlie

Fairlie is a small town in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 940. The city sits at an elevation of 1,001 feet (305 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 49°F (9°C). Temperatures range from 58°F in January to 38°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 44.5 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Fairlie has a population of 940 with a density of 0 people per square mile, spread across 2,173.2 square miles. The median age is 47.5 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

940
Total Population
0
People / sq mi
47.5yrs
Median Age
22% above New Zealand avg
2,173.2mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Fairlie vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Fairlie is $21,660, which is 71% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $21,660 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $417, 71% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 86 business establishments.

Income: Fairlie vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$21,660
71% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$21,660
Avg Weekly Wage$417

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)86

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Fairlie is $156,000, 45% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $780 (33% below the national average of $1,163). 73.6% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 376 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$156,000
45% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$780
33% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership73.6%
Owner-Occupied73.6%
Renter-Occupied26.4%
Housing Units376

Property Tax

Fairlie experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 38°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 255 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 44.5 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 1,001 feet.

Temperature

58°F Jan (15°C) 38°F Jul (3°C)
Annual Average48.7°F
10% below New Zealand avg
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average38°F (3°C)
Sunny Days255 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,001 ft (305 m)
Area2,173.2 sq mi (5,628.6 km²)
Population Density0/sq mi
Coordinates-44.1000°N, 170.8333°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 44.5"
17% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Mar) 4.76"
Driest Month (Jun) 2.52"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

395 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.0. Most recent: M4.1 on Mar 5, 2025.

Sep 3, 2010 19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand M7.0 103 km
Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 143 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 146 km
Jun 19, 1994 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand M6.0 111 km
Jan 5, 2015 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand M5.6 121 km
Sep 19, 2023 Canterbury, New Zealand M5.5 50 km
Mar 30, 1992 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand M5.5 115 km
May 29, 1995 South Island of New Zealand M5.5 129 km
May 2, 2005 83 km N of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 146 km
Jun 21, 1994 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand M5.4 117 km
Oct 20, 1998 104 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 98 km
Jul 10, 1990 South Island of New Zealand M5.2 132 km
Jun 21, 2011 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.2 147 km
Sep 3, 2010 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand M5.1 102 km
Jul 6, 2015 56 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.1 95 km
Oct 4, 2010 5 km ESE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 150 km
Jan 19, 2011 2 km S of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 146 km
Sep 4, 2010 15 km SW of Darfield, New Zealand M5.0 108 km
May 2, 2005 85 km N of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.0 147 km
Sep 3, 2010 6 km NNE of Rolleston, New Zealand M5.0 142 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1856 S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND Unknown 1.0 m 94 km
2002 ALBERT TOWN Meteorological 146 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 58°F (15°C) 4.7 in Warmest
February 58°F (15°C) 4.2 in
March 55°F (13°C) 4.8 in Wettest
April 50°F (10°C) 3.2 in
May 44°F (7°C) 3.1 in
June 39°F (4°C) 2.5 in Driest
July 38°F (3°C) 3.3 in Coldest
August 40°F (5°C) 3.3 in
September 45°F (7°C) 2.9 in
October 49°F (9°C) 3.8 in
November 52°F (11°C) 4.1 in
December 56°F (13°C) 4.7 in

Fairlie has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 38°F in July to 58°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 44.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and June the driest (2.5").

View full weather details →

Schools in Fairlie

3 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Mackenzie College
St Joseph's School
Fairlie Primary School
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Fairlie

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
100,3FM South Canterbury geraldine, local radio MP3 128 kbps

Museums in Fairlie

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Fairlie Heritage Museum

Hotels in Fairlie

1 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Mount Dobson Motel

Restaurants in Fairlie

5 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Carnigies
Farm Barn Café
Fridays
Mount Hutt
Red Stag

Cafes in Fairlie

3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Eat Deli Bar
Little Bean South
The little red fox

Monuments in Fairlie

1 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

James Mackenzie and his Border Collie Friday

Theme Parks in Fairlie

1 theme parks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Tekapo Springs

Gas Stations in Fairlie

3 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

BP 2 go
Caltex Fairlie
McKeown

Golf Courses in Fairlie

3 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Mackenzie Golf Club
Mount Nessing Golf Course
The Cairns Golf Course

Ski Resorts Near Fairlie

4 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Awakino Ski Area 0.0 $0
Mount Dobson Ski Field 0.0 $0
Fox Peak Ski Area 0.0 $0
Roundhill Ski Field 0.0 $0

Airports Near Fairlie

14 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Glentanner AirportGTNMedium Airport
Mount Cook AirportMONMedium Airport
Pukaki AirportTWZMedium Airport
Timaru AirportTIUMedium Airport
Anama airstripSmall Airport
Arrowsmith StationSmall Airport
Cattle Creek AirstripSmall Airport
Franz Josef AerodromeWHOSmall Airport
Hakatere AirstripSmall Airport
Mesopotamia Station AirstripSmall Airport
Pudding Hill AerodromeSmall Airport
Rangitata Island AirportSmall Airport
Tekapo AerodromeSmall Airport
Waimate AirportSmall Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Fairlie

3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Fairlie
Mackenzie Cooperating Parish
St Patrick's Church - Fairlie / St Patrick’s and All Saints Parish

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 Fairlie.

Get Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Fairlie

What is the population of Fairlie?

Fairlie has a population of 940 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 0 people per square mile, spread across 2,173.2 square miles. The median age of residents is 47.5 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Fairlie expensive to live in?

The median household income is $21,660, 71% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $156,000 (45% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $780 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 Fairlie?

Fairlie has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winter temperatures average 58°F in January, while summers reach an average of 38°F in July. The area receives 255 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 44.5 inches.

How is the job market in Fairlie?

The job market in Fairlie is very strong, with unemployment at just 1.7% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $417. There are 86 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Fairlie?

The median home value in Fairlie is $156,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $780. The homeownership rate is 73.6%.

Nearby Cities

Compare Fairlie with another city: