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Murchison, New Zealand

Tasman District · New Zealand

Murchison is a small town in Tasman District, New Zealand with a population of 606. Elevation: 564 ft (172 m). Average temperature: 49°F (10°C).

4.1 /5.0
A Great
606 Population 361/sq mi density
564 ft Elevation 172 meters
49°F Avg Temperature 10°C
91.9 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$48,800 Median Income
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$48,800 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$130,000 home value, $650/mo rent

Discover Murchison, 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

Population606
Median Age37.2 yrs
Density361/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$48,800
Per Capita$49,076
Unemployment5.1%

Housing

A+
Home Value$130,000
Rent$650
Ownership64.5%
Housing Units242

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
Rain91.9 in/yr
Sunny Days169/yr
Elevation564 ft (172 m)
Population606
Population Density361 / sq mi
Elevation564 ft (172 m)
Coordinates-41.8000°, 172.3333°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceTasman District
Average Temperature49°F (10°C)
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average39°F (4°C)
Annual Precipitation91.9 inches (2,333 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$48,800
Median Age37.2 years

About Murchison

Murchison is a small town in New Zealand (Tasman District) with a population of 606. The city sits at an elevation of 564 feet (172 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 49°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 58°F in January to 39°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 91.9 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Murchison has a population of 606 with a density of 361 people per square mile, spread across 1.7 square miles. The median age is 37.2 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9.

Population

606
Total Population
361
People / sq mi
37.2yrs
Median Age
4% below New Zealand avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Murchison vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Murchison is $48,800, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $49,076 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $944, 34% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 56 business establishments.

Income: Murchison vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,800
35% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$49,076
Avg Weekly Wage$944

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
41% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)56

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Murchison is $130,000, 54% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $650 (44% below the national average of $1,163). 64.5% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 242 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.7x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$130,000
54% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$650
44% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership64.5%
Owner-Occupied64.5%
Renter-Occupied35.5%
Housing Units242

Property Tax

Murchison experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 39°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 169 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 91.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 564 feet.

Temperature

58°F Jan (15°C) 39°F Jul (4°C)
Annual Average49.1°F
9% below New Zealand avg
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average39°F (4°C)
Sunny Days169 days/yr

Geography

Elevation564 ft (172 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density361/sq mi
Coordinates-41.8000°N, 172.3333°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 91.9"
142% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Sep) 9.06"
Driest Month (Feb) 5.00"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

459 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.8. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 141 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 139 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 63 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 72 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 118 km
Jan 28, 1991 29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.9 57 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 143 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 65 km
Jan 28, 1991 27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.7 56 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 148 km
Feb 15, 1991 38 km S of Westport, New Zealand M5.4 65 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 148 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 143 km
Feb 21, 2022 36 km SW of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.2 109 km
Nov 29, 1997 22 km ENE of Nelson, New Zealand M5.2 120 km
Feb 9, 2016 79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 71 km
Aug 17, 2013 29 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.2 142 km
May 4, 2002 66 km W of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 45 km
Aug 29, 1996 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.2 84 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.1 143 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

4 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 2 120 km
1913 TASMAN SEA Earthquake 1.5 m — 69 km
1922 SE. NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 0.4 m — 144 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake — — 146 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 58°F (15°C) 6.7 in
February 58°F (15°C) 5.0 in Warmest, Driest
March 56°F (13°C) 6.3 in
April 50°F (10°C) 7.8 in
May 45°F (7°C) 8.8 in
June 41°F (5°C) 7.8 in
July 39°F (4°C) 7.8 in Coldest
August 42°F (5°C) 6.7 in
September 45°F (7°C) 9.1 in Wettest
October 49°F (9°C) 8.4 in
November 52°F (11°C) 8.4 in
December 56°F (13°C) 9.1 in

Murchison has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 39°F in July to 58°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 91.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (9.1") and February the driest (5.0").

View full weather details →

Schools in Murchison

1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Murchison Area School — — — —
View full schools details →

Restaurants in Murchison

5 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Hampden Hotel
Panda Xpress
Rivers Cafe
The Cow Shed Restaurant
Zen’s Kitchen

Cafes in Murchison

3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Beechwoods Cafe
Murchison Tearooms & Takeaways
Tutaki Bakery Food Truck

Gas Stations in Murchison

2 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Mobil
RD Petroleum

Golf Courses in Murchison

1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Murchison Golf Course

Ski Resorts Near Murchison

2 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Hanmer Springs Ski Area 0.0 — — $0 — — —
Rainbow Ski Area 0.0 — — $0 — — —

Airports Near Murchison

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Karamea Airport—Small Airport
Lake Station Airport—Small Airport
Motueka AirportMZPSmall Airport
Murchison Airport—Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Murchison

3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Saint John's Methodist Church
Saint Pauls Anglican Church
Saint Peter Chapel

Explore Near Murchison

Waterfalls
8
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
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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Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Murchison.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Murchison

What is the population of Murchison?

Murchison has a population of 606 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 361 people per square mile, spread across 1.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 37.2 years.

Is Murchison expensive to live in?

The median household income is $48,800, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $130,000 (54% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $650 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.7x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Murchison?

Murchison has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 58°F in January, while summers reach an average of 39°F in July. The area receives 169 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 91.9 inches.

How is the job market in Murchison?

The unemployment rate in Murchison is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $944. There are 56 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Murchison?

The median home value in Murchison is $130,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $650. The homeownership rate is 64.5%.

Nearby Cities

Westport, G3 4,600 pop · 37.7 mi Wakefield, TAS 2,680 pop · 46.2 mi Brightwater, TAS 2,390 pop · 49.7 mi Richmond, TAS 19,700 pop · 54.5 mi Mapua, TAS 1,819 pop · 54.9 mi Hanmer Springs, E9 1,180 pop · 55.4 mi Monaco, F5 2,460 pop · 57.1 mi Stoke, F5 19,850 pop · 57.3 mi Motueka, TAS 7,485 pop · 58.1 mi Enner Glynn, F5 3,110 pop · 58.6 mi Tahunanui, F5 2,910 pop · 59.0 mi Bishopdale, F5 2,630 pop · 59.5 mi Moana, F5 3,060 pop · 59.7 mi Nelson South, F5 2,690 pop · 60.3 mi
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