Fairlie, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.8 /5.0

C+ Fair

940 Population 0/sq mi density

1,001 ft Elevation 305 meters

49°F Avg Temperature 9°C

C+

Overall

2.8 / 5.0

Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

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

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. The area gets 255 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 44.5 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

58°F Jan (15°C) 38°F Jul (3°C)

Annual Average	48.7°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	58°F (15°C)
July Average	38°F (3°C)
Sunny Days	255 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,001 ft (305 m)
Area	2,173.2 sq mi (5,628.6 km²)
Population Density	0/sq mi
Coordinates	-44.1000°N, 170.8333°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 44.5"

17% above US 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").

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