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Rakaia, New Zealand

Canterbury · New Zealand

Rakaia is a small town in Canterbury, New Zealand with a population of 1,670. Elevation: 387 ft (118 m). Average temperature: 53°F (11°C).

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,670 Population 2,288/sq mi density
387 ft Elevation 118 meters
53°F Avg Temperature 11°C
26.9 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$25,560 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$25,560 median income, 3.1% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$182,000 home value, $910/mo rent

Discover Rakaia, 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

Population1,670
Median Age40.1 yrs
Density2,288/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$25,560
Per Capita$25,560
Unemployment3.1%

Housing

C+
Home Value$182,000
Rent$910
Ownership77.9%
Housing Units668

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (11°C)
Rain26.9 in/yr
Sunny Days287/yr
Elevation387 ft (118 m)
Population1,670
Population Density2,288 / sq mi
Elevation387 ft (118 m)
Coordinates-43.7500°, 172.0167°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceCanterbury
Average Temperature53°F (11°C)
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation26.9 inches (683 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$25,560
Median Age40.1 years

About Rakaia

Rakaia is a small town in New Zealand (Canterbury) with a population of 1,670. The city sits at an elevation of 387 feet (118 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 53°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 62°F in January to 43°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 26.9 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Rakaia has a population of 1,670 with a density of 2,288 people per square mile, spread across 0.7 square miles. The median age is 40.1 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

1,670
Total Population
2,288
People / sq mi
40.1yrs
Median Age
3% above New Zealand avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Rakaia vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Rakaia is $25,560, which is 66% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $25,560 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $492, 66% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). The area has 154 business establishments.

Income: Rakaia vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$25,560
66% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$25,560
Avg Weekly Wage$492

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)154

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Rakaia is $182,000, 35% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $910 (22% below the national average of $1,163). 77.9% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 668 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.1x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$182,000
35% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$910
22% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership77.9%
Owner-Occupied77.9%
Renter-Occupied22.1%
Housing Units668

Property Tax

Rakaia experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 287 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 26.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 387 feet.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average52.6°F
3% below New Zealand avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days287 days/yr

Geography

Elevation387 ft (118 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density2,288/sq mi
Coordinates-43.7500°N, 172.0167°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.9"
29% below New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug) 2.68"
Driest Month (Sep) 1.85"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

647 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 30 km
Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 92 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 87 km
Feb 21, 2011 6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand M6.1 57 km
Jun 19, 1994 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand M6.0 62 km
Jun 13, 2011 9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.9 62 km
Feb 14, 2016 12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.8 68 km
Jan 5, 2015 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand M5.6 100 km
Feb 22, 2011 7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.6 52 km
Feb 22, 2011 6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.5 54 km
May 29, 1995 South Island of New Zealand M5.5 88 km
Mar 30, 1992 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand M5.5 84 km
Sep 19, 2023 Canterbury, New Zealand M5.5 72 km
Jun 21, 1994 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand M5.4 69 km
Jun 21, 2011 1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.2 44 km
Jun 13, 2011 10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.2 62 km
Jan 1, 2012 21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.2 76 km
Jan 19, 2011 2 km S of Prebbleton, New Zealand M5.1 44 km
Sep 3, 2010 16 km NNW of Rakaia, New Zealand M5.1 17 km
Jan 14, 2012 10 km E of Christchurch, New Zealand M5.1 65 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 2 141 km
1895 PIEGON BAY Meteorological 5.0 m 71 km
1881 PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA) Earthquake 3.0 m 71 km
1856 S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND Unknown 1.0 m 28 km
1869 NEW ZEALAND Unknown 0.6 m 143 km
1922 SE. NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 0.4 m 115 km
1978 OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND Meteorological 107 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (17°C) 2.2 in Warmest
February 61°F (16°C) 2.0 in
March 59°F (15°C) 2.4 in
April 54°F (12°C) 2.3 in
May 48°F (9°C) 2.6 in
June 43°F (6°C) 1.9 in
July 43°F (6°C) 2.4 in Coldest
August 45°F (7°C) 2.7 in Wettest
September 49°F (9°C) 1.9 in Driest
October 53°F (12°C) 2.4 in
November 56°F (13°C) 2.1 in
December 60°F (15°C) 2.1 in

Rakaia has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 43°F in July to 62°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 26.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.7") and September the driest (1.9").

View full weather details →

Schools in Rakaia

2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Rakaia School
Chertsey School
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Rakaia

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Compass FM community radio, local news MP3 128 kbps

Libraries in Rakaia

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Rakaia Public Library0.0

Hotels in Rakaia

1 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

South Rakaia Hotel

Restaurants in Rakaia

1 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Mr India Kitchen

Gas Stations in Rakaia

2 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Mobil
npd

Golf Courses in Rakaia

1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Rakaia Golf Course

Ski Resorts Near Rakaia

7 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Mount Hutt Ski Area 0.0 $0
Porters Ski Area 0.0 $0
Mount Olympus Ski Area 0.0 $0
Mount Cheeseman Ski Area 0.0 $0
Mt Cheeseman Ski Area 0.0 $0
Broken River Ski Area 0.0 $0
Craigieburn Valley Ski Area 0.0 $0

Airports Near Rakaia

15 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Christchurch International AirportCHCLarge Airport
Anama airstripSmall Airport
Ashburton AirportASGSmall Airport
DunsandelSmall Airport
Fernside Fields AirparkSmall Airport
Forest Field AerodromeSmall Airport
Kings (Ladbrooks)Small Airport
Mount Hutt Station AirstripSmall Airport
Pudding Hill AerodromeSmall Airport
Rangiora AirfieldSmall Airport
Rangitata Island AirportSmall Airport
Springfield AirportSmall Airport
Taitapu Ag stripSmall Airport
West Melton AerodromeSmall Airport
Worthy Lodge airstrip (Ladbrooks)Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Rakaia

3 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
St Ita's Parish - Rakaia
St James' Anglican Church - Chertsey
St Mark's Anglican Church - Rakaia

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 Rakaia

What is the population of Rakaia?

Rakaia has a population of 1,670 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 2,288 people per square mile, spread across 0.7 square miles. The median age of residents is 40.1 years.

Is Rakaia expensive to live in?

The median household income is $25,560, 66% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $182,000 (35% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $910 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.1x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Rakaia?

Rakaia has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 62°F in January, while summers reach an average of 43°F in July. The area receives 287 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 26.9 inches.

How is the job market in Rakaia?

Rakaia has a healthy job market with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, near the national average of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $492. There are 154 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Rakaia?

The median home value in Rakaia is $182,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $910. The homeownership rate is 77.9%.

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