Oxford, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.2 /5.0

C Fair

2,240 Population 263/sq mi density

801 ft Elevation 244 meters

51°F Avg Temperature 10°C

Overall

2.2 / 5.0

Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

Economy

3.1 / 5.0

$19,260 median income, 1.9% unemployment

Affordability

1.3 / 5.0

$184,000 home value, $920/mo rent

Oxford experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 41°F in July. The area gets 267 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

60°F Jan (16°C) 41°F Jul (5°C)

Annual Average	50.8°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	60°F (16°C)
July Average	41°F (5°C)
Sunny Days	267 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	801 ft (244 m)
Area	8.5 sq mi (22.1 km²)
Population Density	263/sq mi
Coordinates	-43.3000°N, 172.1833°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.1"

0% below US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.54"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.64"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

713 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.0. Most recent: M3.0 on Aug 30, 2025.

Sep 3, 2010	19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand	M7.0	38 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	57 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	47 km
Feb 21, 2011	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M6.1	51 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	118 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	46 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	54 km
Jan 28, 1991	29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand	M5.9	149 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	52 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	111 km
Jan 5, 2015	43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand	M5.6	82 km
Feb 22, 2011	7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.6	48 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	97 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	67 km
Feb 22, 2011	6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.5	50 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	61 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	49 km
Feb 15, 1991	38 km S of Westport, New Zealand	M5.4	141 km
Jun 21, 2011	1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand	M5.2	43 km
Jun 13, 2011	10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	56 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

7 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	95 km
1895	PIEGON BAY	Meteorological	5.0 m	—	72 km
1881	PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA)	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	72 km
1856	S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND	Unknown	1.0 m	—	79 km
1869	NEW ZEALAND	Unknown	0.6 m	—	119 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	74 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	68 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	60°F (16°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
February	60°F (15°C)	2.6 in	Driest
March	57°F (14°C)	3.4 in
April	52°F (11°C)	3.1 in
May	46°F (8°C)	3.4 in
June	42°F (5°C)	2.8 in
July	41°F (5°C)	3.5 in	Coldest, Wettest
August	43°F (6°C)	3.5 in
September	47°F (8°C)	2.7 in
October	51°F (10°C)	3.5 in
November	54°F (12°C)	3.0 in
December	58°F (14°C)	3.2 in

Oxford has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 41°F in July to 60°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 38.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (2.6").

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