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Kensington, New Zealand

Canterbury · New Zealand

Kensington is a small town in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 1,640. Elevation: 66 ft (20 m). Average temperature: 51°F (10°C).

1.8 /5.0
D Poor
1,640 Population 125/sq mi density
66 ft Elevation 20 meters
51°F Avg Temperature 10°C
39.0 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$20,880 Median Income
D
Overall
1.8 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$20,880 median income, 5.4% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$208,000 home value, $1,040/mo rent

Discover Kensington, 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 Kensington

Kensington is a suburb of Timaru, in the South Canterbury area and Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It is located south of the town centre.

People

Population1,640
Median Age45.4 yrs
Density125/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$20,880
Per Capita$20,880
Unemployment5.4%

Housing

F
Home Value$208,000
Rent$1,040
Ownership54.1%
Housing Units656

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (10°C)
Rain39.0 in/yr
Sunny Days283/yr
Elevation66 ft (20 m)
Population1,640
Population Density125 / sq mi
Elevation66 ft (20 m)
Coordinates-44.4120°, 171.2470°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceCanterbury
Average Temperature51°F (10°C)
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average41°F (5°C)
Annual Precipitation39.0 inches (990 mm)
Annual Snowfall1.9 inches (5 cm)
Median Household Income$20,880
Median Age45.4 years

About Kensington

Kensington is a small town in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 1,640. The city sits at an elevation of 66 feet (20 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 51°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 59°F in January to 41°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 39.0 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Kensington has a population of 1,640 with a density of 125 people per square mile, spread across 13.1 square miles. The median age is 45.4 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

1,640
Total Population
125
People / sq mi
45.4yrs
Median Age
17% above New Zealand avg
13.1mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Kensington vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Kensington is $20,880, which is 72% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $20,880 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $402, 72% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.4% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 151 business establishments.

Income: Kensington vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$20,880
72% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$20,880
Avg Weekly Wage$402

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.4%
50% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)151

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Kensington is $208,000, 26% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,040 (11% below the national average of $1,163). 54.1% of housing units are owner-occupied (below the 65.4% national rate). There are 656 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 10x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$208,000
26% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,040
11% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership54.1%
Owner-Occupied54.1%
Renter-Occupied45.9%
Housing Units656

Property Tax

Kensington experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 41°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 39.0 inches. The area receives 1.9 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 66 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 41°F Jul (5°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below New Zealand avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average41°F (5°C)
Sunny Days283 days/yr

Geography

Elevation66 ft (20 m)
Area13.1 sq mi (34.0 km²)
Population Density125/sq mi
Coordinates-44.4120°N, 171.2470°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 39.0"
3% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 1.9"
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.28"
Driest Month (Jun) 1.42"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

431 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.0. Most recent: M4.0 on Feb 25, 2025.

Sep 3, 2010 19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand M7.0 109 km
Feb 21, 2011 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand M6.1 147 km
Jun 19, 1994 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand M6.0 130 km
Feb 22, 2011 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.6 142 km
Feb 22, 2011 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.5 145 km
Mar 30, 1992 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand M5.5 141 km
Sep 19, 2023 Canterbury, New Zealand M5.5 79 km
Jun 21, 1994 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand M5.4 137 km
Oct 20, 1998 104 km NNE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 141 km
Jun 21, 2011 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.2 137 km
Oct 4, 2010 5 km ESE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 139 km
Sep 3, 2010 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand M5.1 103 km
Jul 6, 2015 56 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.1 122 km
Jan 19, 2011 2 km S of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 136 km
Sep 4, 2010 15 km SW of Darfield, New Zealand M5.0 110 km
May 9, 2011 2 km ESE of Rolleston, New Zealand M5.0 130 km
Sep 3, 2010 6 km NNE of Rolleston, New Zealand M5.0 135 km
Jun 5, 2011 0 km E of Rolleston, New Zealand M5.0 130 km
Feb 25, 2011 5 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand M4.9 146 km
Sep 3, 2010 4 km SSE of Oxford, New Zealand M4.9 142 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami 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 76 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 2.1 in
February 61°F (16°C) 1.9 in Warmest
March 58°F (15°C) 2.2 in
April 54°F (12°C) 2.1 in
May 48°F (9°C) 2.2 in
June 44°F (6°C) 1.4 in Driest
July 41°F (5°C) 1.8 in Coldest
August 45°F (7°C) 1.9 in
September 49°F (9°C) 1.6 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.0 in
November 56°F (13°C) 2.0 in
December 59°F (15°C) 2.3 in Wettest

Kensington has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 41°F in July to 61°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 23.4 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.3") and June the driest (1.4").

View full weather details →

Schools in Kensington

3 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Timaru South School
Timaru South School
Timaru Girls' High School
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Kensington

2 stations within ~55 km.

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

Museums in Kensington

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Pleasant Point Railway
South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre
South Canterbury Museum
South Canterbury Traction Engine And Transport Museum.

Libraries in Kensington

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Timaru District Library0.0

Restaurants in Kensington

2 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Jesters
Wetlands Cafe

Dentists in Kensington

1 dentists within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Lumino

Gas Stations in Kensington

4 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Caltex
Caltex
Caltex Pareora Fuel Stop
npd

Ski Resorts Near Kensington

3 ski resorts within range.

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

Airports Near Kensington

7 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Oamaru AirportOAMMedium Airport
Timaru AirportTIUMedium Airport
Anama airstripSmall Airport
Ashburton AirportASGSmall Airport
Cattle Creek AirstripSmall Airport
Rangitata Island AirportSmall Airport
Waimate AirportSmall Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Kensington

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Trinity Church

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 Kensington

What is the population of Kensington?

Kensington has a population of 1,640 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 125 people per square mile, spread across 13.1 square miles. The median age of residents is 45.4 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Kensington expensive to live in?

The median household income is $20,880, 72% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $208,000 (26% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,040 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 10x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Kensington?

Kensington has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 59°F in January, while summers reach an average of 41°F in July. The area receives 283 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 39.0 inches, with 1.9 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Kensington?

The unemployment rate in Kensington is 5.4%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $402. There are 151 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Kensington?

The median home value in Kensington is $208,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,040. The homeownership rate is 54.1%.

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