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Nelson, New Zealand

Full City Profile

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
54,400 Population 317/sq mi density
36 ft Elevation 11 meters
51°F Avg Temperature 11°C
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$22,260 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$104,000 home value, $520/mo rent
Nelson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 50.8 inches. The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation36 ft (11 m)
Area171.8 sq mi (445.0 km²)
Population Density317/sq mi
Coordinates-41.2708°N, 173.2840°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.8"
34% above US avg
Snowfall 3.1"
Wettest Month (Aug) 5.67"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.68"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,061 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Jul 21, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 100 km
Aug 16, 2013 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 89 km
Jul 3, 2012 63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand M6.3 144 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 91 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 126 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 53 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 93 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 83 km
Jul 20, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 101 km
Mar 22, 1995 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.8 67 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 132 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 133 km
Oct 4, 1990 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand M5.6 141 km
Jul 18, 2013 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 99 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 88 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 90 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 85 km
Jul 15, 2009 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 125 km
Mar 13, 2005 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 124 km
Jul 21, 2013 34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.3 95 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 11.0 m (36 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1855 NORTHERN ISLAND Earthquake 11.0 m — 143 km
1868 NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 3.0 m — 121 km
2013 WELLINGTON Earthquake 0.1 m — 89 km
2013 COOK STRAIT Earthquake 0.1 m — 100 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake — — 99 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 3.9 in
February 62°F (17°C) 2.7 in Warmest, Driest
March 60°F (16°C) 4.0 in
April 55°F (13°C) 4.8 in
May 50°F (10°C) 4.4 in
June 46°F (8°C) 4.3 in
July 43°F (6°C) 5.0 in Coldest
August 46°F (8°C) 5.7 in Wettest
September 49°F (10°C) 4.3 in
October 53°F (12°C) 5.1 in
November 56°F (13°C) 4.3 in
December 60°F (15°C) 4.0 in

Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 43°F in July to 62°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 52.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.7") and February the driest (2.7").

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