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Oamaru, New Zealand

Otago · New Zealand

Oamaru is a small city in Otago, New Zealand with a population of 13,000. Elevation: 39 ft (12 m). Average temperature: 51°F (11°C).

Data updated June 2026

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
13,000 Population 635/sq mi density
39 ft Elevation 12 meters
51°F Avg Temperature 11°C
21.6 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$16,080 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$16,080 median income, 5.7% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$107,200 home value, $536/mo rent

Discover Oamaru, 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

Population13,000
Median Age56.9 yrs
Density635/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$16,080
Per Capita$16,080
Unemployment5.7%

Housing

C+
Home Value$107,200
Rent$536
Ownership37.2%
Housing Units5,200

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (11°C)
Rain21.6 in/yr
Sunny Days297/yr
Elevation39 ft (12 m)
Population13,000
Population Density635 / sq mi
Elevation39 ft (12 m)
Coordinates-45.0976°, 170.9709°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceOtago
Average Temperature51°F (11°C)
January Average60°F (16°C)
July Average42°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation21.6 inches (549 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$16,080
Median Age56.9 years

About Oamaru

Oamaru is a small city in New Zealand (Otago) with a population of 13,000. The city sits at an elevation of 39 feet (12 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 51°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 60°F in January to 42°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 21.6 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Oamaru has a population of 13,000 with a density of 635 people per square mile, spread across 20.5 square miles. The median age is 56.9 years, 46% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

13,000
Total Population
635
People / sq mi
56.9yrs
Median Age
46% above New Zealand avg
20.5mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Oamaru vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Oamaru is $16,080, which is 79% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $16,080 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $309, 78% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.7% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 1,196 business establishments.

Income: Oamaru vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$16,080
79% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$16,080
Avg Weekly Wage$309

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.7%
58% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)1,196

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Oamaru is $107,200, 62% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $536 (54% below the national average of $1,163). 37.2% of housing units are owner-occupied (below the 65.4% national rate). There are 5,200 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 6.7x, above the traditionally affordable threshold of 3-4x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$107,200
62% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$536
54% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership37.2%
Owner-Occupied37.2%
Renter-Occupied62.8%
Housing Units5,200

Property Tax

Climate in Oamaru

Oamaru has an average annual temperature of 11.9°C (53°F). The hottest month is Jan (15.5°C), the coldest is Jul (8.4°C). Average annual precipitation is 489 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 15.5°C / 60°F 10.7° / 23.4° 40.9
Feb 15.5°C / 60°F 10.2° / 23.5° 38.0
Mar 14.5°C / 58°F 10° / 22° 31.6
Apr 12.8°C / 55°F 8.4° / 19.1° 35.4
May 11.2°C / 52°F 6.9° / 17.4° 33.5
Jun 9.2°C / 49°F 5.8° / 14.2° 30.3
Jul 8.4°C / 47°F 5.3° / 13.7° 65.3
Aug 8.6°C / 48°F 4.6° / 14.1° 30.2
Sep 9.7°C / 49°F 4.9° / 15.6° 34.7
Oct 10.7°C / 51°F 5.5° / 17.4° 48.9
Nov 12.7°C / 55°F 7.8° / 21.3° 40.7
Dec 14.2°C / 57°F 9° / 22° 59.7
Oamaru experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 297 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 21.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 39 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

60°F Jan (16°C) 42°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average51.4°F
5% below New Zealand avg
January Average60°F (16°C)
July Average42°F (6°C)
Sunny Days297 days/yr

Geography

Elevation39 ft (12 m)
Area20.5 sq mi (53.0 km²)
Population Density635/sq mi
Coordinates-45.0976°N, 170.9709°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.6"
43% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.36"
Driest Month (Sep) 1.26"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

41 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.1. Most recent: M4.0 on Feb 25, 2025.

Jul 6, 2015 56 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.1 127 km
Apr 2, 2005 67 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.9 119 km
Feb 8, 1998 42 km WNW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.8 42 km
Aug 19, 2004 43 km NW of Geraldine, New Zealand M4.7 144 km
Apr 16, 2005 47 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.6 140 km
Feb 11, 2004 68 km WSW of Oamaru, New Zealand M4.5 69 km
Apr 5, 2012 74 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.5 145 km
Mar 20, 2011 79 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.4 120 km
May 21, 1999 62 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.3 101 km
Mar 20, 2011 73 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.3 118 km
Mar 27, 2009 83 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.3 121 km
May 27, 2011 43 km WSW of Pleasant Point, New Zealand M4.3 75 km
Sep 5, 2013 36 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.3 136 km
May 26, 2009 60 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.3 110 km
Jun 1, 2015 33 km WNW of Dunedin, New Zealand M4.3 97 km
Feb 9, 1993 58 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.2 110 km
Mar 20, 2011 75 km ENE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.2 118 km
Aug 3, 2014 52 km NE of Wanaka, New Zealand M4.2 133 km
Oct 7, 2013 88 km W of Pleasant Point, New Zealand M4.2 127 km
Aug 10, 2021 24 km SW of Pleasant Point, New Zealand M4.2 76 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 - 147 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 60°F (16°C) 2.1 in Warmest
February 60°F (15°C) 1.8 in
March 57°F (14°C) 2.1 in
April 53°F (11°C) 1.4 in
May 47°F (8°C) 1.8 in
June 43°F (6°C) 1.5 in
July 42°F (6°C) 2.0 in Coldest
August 44°F (7°C) 1.7 in
September 48°F (9°C) 1.3 in Driest
October 52°F (11°C) 2.0 in
November 54°F (12°C) 1.8 in
December 58°F (14°C) 2.4 in Wettest

Oamaru has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 42°F in July to 60°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 21.6 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.4") and September the driest (1.3").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Oamaru

Institution Type Founded Website
Ara Institute of Canterbury College - Visit →

Schools in Oamaru

10 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Waitaki Boys' High School - - - -
Waitaki Girls' High School - - - -
Ardgowan School - - - -
Saint Kevin's College - - - -
Pembroke School - - - -
Saint Joseph's School - - - -
Oamaru North School - - - -
Fenwick Primary School - - - -
Oamaru Intermediate School - - - -
Kakanui School - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Oamaru

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Museums in Oamaru

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Janet Frame's house
Livery Stables
North Otago Museum
Whitestone City

Libraries in Oamaru

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Ōamaru Public Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Oamaru

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Farmers market

Hotels in Oamaru

7 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

1928 Cottage in Central Oamaru
Brydone Hotel Oamaru
Character home with sea &town views
Old Bones Lodge
Pen-y-bryn Lodge
Pen-y-bryn Luxury Lodge
Sunny South Hill

Restaurants in Oamaru

11 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Bankok Recipe
Cucina
Del Mar
Filadelfio's Pizza Restaurant & Bar
Golden Dragon
Harbour Street Collective Cafe
Indian & Nepalese Kitchen
Lagonda Tearooms
Last Post
Star & Garter Restaurant
The Station

Cafes in Oamaru

11 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Badger & Mackerel Mess Hall Expresso
Coffee Supreme
Lagonda Tearooms
Steam
Tee Street
The Bridge
The Galley
The Roost
The Woolstore Café
Vinbrux Bakery
Whitestone Cheese

Cinemas in Oamaru

1 cinemas within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Limelight Cinema

Theatres in Oamaru

1 theatres within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Opera House

Castles in Oamaru

1 castles within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Riverstone Castle

Train Stations in Oamaru

3 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Harbourside
Ōamaru
Quarry Siding

Gas Stations in Oamaru

7 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

BP
BP
Caltex North End Motors
NPD
NZ #4134506616
NZ #4156738948
Z

Banks in Oamaru

4 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

ANZ
BNZ
Kiwibank
Westpac

Golf Courses in Oamaru

2 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Lower Waitaki Golf Course
Waitoa Park Golf Course

Breweries in Oamaru

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Craftwork Brewery

Ski Resorts Near Oamaru

1 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Awakino Ski Area 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Oamaru

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Oamaru AirportOAMMedium Airport
Cattle Creek Airstrip-Small Airport
Glenshe Airstrip-Small Airport
Waimate Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Oamaru

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Post Oamaru

Churches & Religious Organizations in Oamaru

11 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Christian Life Centre Oamaru
Church
Oamaru Baptist Church
Oamaru Elim Church
Oamaru Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Saint Luke's Anglican Church
Saint Mary's
Saint Patrick's Basilica
Saint Paul's Presbyterian Church
Tongan Methodist Church of Oamaru (Oamaru Union Parish)
Waitaki Presbyterian Church

Explore Near Oamaru

UFO Sightings
1
Reported UFO sightings from the National UFO Reporting Center database
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

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Oamaru.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Oamaru

What is the population of Oamaru?

Oamaru has a population of 13,000 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 635 people per square mile, spread across 20.5 square miles. The median age of residents is 56.9 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Oamaru expensive to live in?

The median household income is $16,080, 79% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $107,200 (62% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $536 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 6.7x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Oamaru?

Oamaru has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 60°F in January, while summers reach an average of 42°F in July. The area receives 297 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 21.6 inches.

How is the job market in Oamaru?

The unemployment rate in Oamaru is 5.7%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $309. There are 1,196 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Oamaru?

The median home value in Oamaru is $107,200. For renters, the median monthly rent is $536. The homeownership rate is 37.2%.

Nearby Cities

Weston, F7 1,190 pop · 2.8 mi Waimate, E9 3,650 pop · 25.8 mi Palmerston, F7 1,050 pop · 29.0 mi Waikouaiti, F7 1,330 pop · 37.3 mi Kensington, E9 1,640 pop · 49.3 mi Watlington, E9 2,420 pop · 50.0 mi Parkside, E9 2,530 pop · 50.0 mi Seaview, E9 2,370 pop · 50.2 mi Timaru, E9 29,400 pop · 50.4 mi West End, E9 2,880 pop · 50.5 mi Gleniti, E9 4,270 pop · 50.6 mi Glenwood, E9 1,930 pop · 50.8 mi Marchwiel, E9 3,750 pop · 51.3 mi Waimataitai, E9 2,210 pop · 51.4 mi
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