Palmerston, New Zealand
Otago · New Zealand
Palmerston is a small town in Otago, New Zealand with a population of 1,000. Elevation: 46 ft (14 m). Average temperature: 51°F (10°C).
Population source: Wikidata (dated census and official estimates), GeoNames. Climate: WorldClim 2.1 normals (1970-2000), NASA POWER. Updated August 2026
Discover Palmerston, 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.
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
Climate
| Population | 1,000 |
| 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 (5°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.7 inches (628 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0 inches (0 cm) |
About Palmerston
Palmerston is a small town in New Zealand (Otago) with a population of 1,000. 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.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below New Zealand avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 42°F (5°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 221.7 sq mi (574.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 5/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.4784°S, 170.7201°E |
| 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 (13°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 (5°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 (OpenStreetMap 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
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Palmerston.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Palmerston
What is the population of Palmerston?
Palmerston has a population of 1,000 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 5 people per square mile, spread across 221.7 square miles.
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. Annual rainfall totals 24.7 inches.
Nearby Cities
Want every data point for Palmerston?
The full profile puts all sections on one printable page, no tabs.
Full City Profile