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Otautau, New Zealand

Southland · New Zealand

Otautau is a small town in Southland, New Zealand with a population of 672. Elevation: 180 ft (55 m). Average temperature: 51°F (10°C).

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
672 Population 4/sq mi density
180 ft Elevation 55 meters
51°F Avg Temperature 10°C
39.8 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$27,420 Median Income
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$27,420 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$104,000 home value, $520/mo rent

Discover Otautau, 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

Population672
Median Age36.7 yrs
Density4/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$27,420
Per Capita$27,420
Unemployment2.1%

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,000
Rent$520
Ownership63.5%
Housing Units269

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (10°C)
Rain39.8 in/yr
Sunny Days264/yr
Elevation180 ft (55 m)
Population672
Population Density4 / sq mi
Elevation180 ft (55 m)
Coordinates-46.1500°, 168.0000°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceSouthland
Average Temperature51°F (10°C)
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average42°F (5°C)
Annual Precipitation39.8 inches (1,012 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$27,420
Median Age36.7 years

About Otautau

Otautau is a small town in New Zealand (Southland) with a population of 672. The city sits at an elevation of 180 feet (55 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 51°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 59°F in January to 42°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 39.8 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Otautau has a population of 672 with a density of 4 people per square mile, spread across 189.6 square miles. The median age is 36.7 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9.

Population

672
Total Population
4
People / sq mi
36.7yrs
Median Age
6% below New Zealand avg
189.6mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Otautau vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Otautau is $27,420, which is 64% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $27,420 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $527, 63% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 62 business establishments.

Income: Otautau vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$27,420
64% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$27,420
Avg Weekly Wage$527

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)62

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Otautau is $104,000, 63% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $520 (55% below the national average of $1,163). 63.5% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 269 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.8x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,000
63% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$520
55% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership63.5%
Owner-Occupied63.5%
Renter-Occupied36.5%
Housing Units269

Property Tax

Otautau experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 264 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 39.8 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 180 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 42°F Jul (5°C)
Annual Average50.7°F
6% below New Zealand avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average42°F (5°C)
Sunny Days264 days/yr

Geography

Elevation180 ft (55 m)
Area189.6 sq mi (491.0 km²)
Population Density4/sq mi
Coordinates-46.1500°N, 168.0000°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 39.8"
5% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (May) 4.29"
Driest Month (Aug) 2.60"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

526 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.8. Most recent: M4.3 on Jul 21, 2025.

Jul 15, 2009 97 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M7.8 119 km
Aug 21, 2003 56 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand M7.2 134 km
Aug 10, 1993 63 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M7.0 128 km
Aug 5, 2009 107 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M6.1 144 km
Nov 1, 2000 67 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand M6.1 143 km
Aug 21, 2003 53 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.9 118 km
Jul 16, 2009 146 km W of Riverton, New Zealand M5.7 144 km
Aug 21, 2003 56 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.7 133 km
Sep 30, 2003 53 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.6 105 km
Aug 11, 1993 71 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.6 137 km
Sep 4, 2003 53 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.5 127 km
Aug 26, 2003 71 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.5 122 km
Jun 7, 2016 75 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.5 144 km
Nov 12, 2000 59 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.4 138 km
Jul 15, 2009 95 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.4 143 km
Jul 15, 2009 105 km WSW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.3 127 km
Aug 21, 2003 63 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.3 129 km
Jul 16, 2009 144 km W of Riverton, New Zealand M5.2 142 km
Aug 25, 2009 145 km W of Riverton, New Zealand M5.2 144 km
Jul 17, 2009 92 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.2 139 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.0 m (13 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2003 SOUTH ISLAND Eruption + Earthquake 4.0 m 134 km
2009 OFF WEST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND Earthquake 0.5 m 119 km
1987 DEEP COVE Meteorological 101 km
1839 WAIKAWA, SOUTHLAND Unknown 101 km
1826 DUSKY SOUND Earthquake 125 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 4.1 in Warmest
February 58°F (15°C) 3.0 in
March 56°F (13°C) 3.7 in
April 52°F (11°C) 3.4 in
May 47°F (8°C) 4.3 in Wettest
June 42°F (6°C) 3.5 in
July 42°F (5°C) 2.8 in Coldest
August 44°F (7°C) 2.6 in Driest
September 48°F (9°C) 3.0 in
October 51°F (11°C) 3.2 in
November 54°F (12°C) 2.6 in
December 57°F (14°C) 3.6 in

Otautau has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 42°F in July to 59°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 39.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and August the driest (2.6").

View full weather details →

Schools in Otautau

2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Otautau School
Drummond Primary School
View full schools details →

Museums in Otautau

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Riverton Community Arts Centre
Te Hikoi Southern Journey Heritage Museum

Libraries in Otautau

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Library0.0

Cafes in Otautau

1 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Connect Cafe

Golf Courses in Otautau

4 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Drummond Golf Club
Nightcaps Golf Course
Ohai Golf Course
Otautau Golf Course

Airports Near Otautau

5 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Invercargill AirportIVCMedium Airport
Manapouri AirportTEUMedium Airport
Center Island AirstripSmall Airport
Centre Bush AerodromeSmall Airport
Ryan's Creek AerodromeSZSSmall Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Otautau

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
St Joseph Parish Otautau

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 Otautau

What is the population of Otautau?

Otautau has a population of 672 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 4 people per square mile, spread across 189.6 square miles. The median age of residents is 36.7 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Otautau expensive to live in?

The median household income is $27,420, 64% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $104,000 (63% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $520 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.8x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Otautau?

Otautau 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 42°F in July. The area receives 264 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 39.8 inches.

How is the job market in Otautau?

The job market in Otautau is very strong, with unemployment at just 2.1% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $527. There are 62 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Otautau?

The median home value in Otautau is $104,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $520. The homeownership rate is 63.5%.

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