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Palmerston, New Zealand
Otago · New Zealand
Palmerston is a small town in Otago, New Zealand with a population of 1,050. Elevation: 46 ft (14 m). Average temperature: 51°F (10°C).
Data updated June 2026
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About Palmerston
Palmerston is a town in Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. Located 50 kilometres to the north of the city of Dunedin, it is the largest town in the Waihemo Ward of the Waitaki District, with a population of 890 residents. Palmerston grew at a major road junction: State Highway 1 links Dunedin and Waikouaiti to the south with Oamaru and Christchurch to the north, while State Highway 85 heads inland to become the principal highway of the Maniototo. The Main South Line railway passes through the town and the Seasider tourist train travels from Dunedin to Palmerston and back once or twice a week. From 1880 until 1989, the town acted as the junction between the main line and a branch line that ran inland, the Dunback and Makareao Branches.
People
Economy
C+Housing
C+Climate
| Population | 1,050 |
| Population Density | 5 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Coordinates | -45.4784°, 170.7201° |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
| Country | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| State / Province | Otago |
| Average Temperature | 51°F (10°C) |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7 inches (628 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0 inches (0 cm) |
| Median Household Income | $19,560 |
| Median Age | 47.9 years |
About Palmerston
Palmerston is a small town in New Zealand (Otago) with a population of 1,050. The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet (14 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 24.7 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.
Population
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Palmerston vs New Zealand Average
Income: Palmerston vs New Zealand
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $19,560 |
| 74% below New Zealand avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $19,560 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $376 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 2.8% |
| 22% below New Zealand avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 97 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
Walkability
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
| Homeownership | 78.8% |
| Owner-Occupied | 78.8% |
| Renter-Occupied | 21.2% |
| Housing Units | 420 |
Property Tax
Temperature
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below New Zealand avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 221.7 sq mi (574.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 5/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -45.4784°N, 170.7201°W |
| Timezone | Pacific/Auckland |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2002 | ALBERT TOWN | Meteorological | - | - | 147 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 1.7 in | |
| March | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| June | 43°F (6°C) | 1.8 in | |
| July | 42°F (6°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
| August | 44°F (7°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 47°F (8°C) | 1.4 in | Driest |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 in |
Palmerston has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 42°F in July to 59°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 24.7 inches, with October being the wettest month (3.3") and September the driest (1.4").
Schools in Palmerston
2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Otago High School | - | - | - | - |
| Palmerston Primary School | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Palmerston
2 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radio One 91FM | community radio, disco | MP3 128 kbps | |
| Kiwi Folk Radio | folk, local | MP3 128 kbps |
Museums in Palmerston
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre |
Libraries in Palmerston
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waikouaiti Library | 0.0 |
Cafes in Palmerston
1 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Train Stations in Palmerston
1 train stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Palmerston
1 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Palmerston
1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Ski Resorts Near Palmerston
1 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awakino Ski Area | 0.0 | - | - | $0 | - | - | - |
Airports Near Palmerston
5 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dunedin International Airport | DUD | Medium Airport |
| Oamaru Airport | OAM | Medium Airport |
| Glenshe Airstrip | - | Small Airport |
| Taieri Aerodrome | - | Small Airport |
| Waimate Airport | - | Small Airport |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Palmerston
4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Blessed Sacrament Parish | |
| Palmerston Elim Church | |
| St James Presbyterian Church | |
| St Mary's Church - Palmerston |
Quick Facts
🇳🇿 About New Zealand
Public Holidays in New Zealand
23 public holidays this year
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Palmerston
What is the population of Palmerston?
Palmerston has a population of 1,050 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 5 people per square mile, spread across 221.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 47.9 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.
Is Palmerston expensive to live in?
The median household income is $19,560, 74% 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 6.6x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
What is the weather like in Palmerston?
Palmerston 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 291 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 24.7 inches.
How is the job market in Palmerston?
The job market in Palmerston is very strong, with unemployment at just 2.8% / well below the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $376. There are 97 business establishments in the area.
How much does housing cost in Palmerston?
The median home value in Palmerston is $130,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $650. The homeownership rate is 78.8%.