Sign In Register

Reefton, New Zealand

West Coast · New Zealand

Reefton is a small town in West Coast, New Zealand with a population of 927. Elevation: 653 ft (199 m). Average temperature: 50°F (10°C).

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
927 Population 0/sq mi density
653 ft Elevation 199 meters
50°F Avg Temperature 10°C
99.4 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$17,640 Median Income
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$17,640 median income, 6.4% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.5 / 5.0
$130,000 home value, $650/mo rent

Discover Reefton, 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

Population927
Median Age54.0 yrs
Density0/mi²

Economy

C
Median Income$17,640
Per Capita$17,640
Unemployment6.4%

Housing

C+
Home Value$130,000
Rent$650
Ownership71.8%
Housing Units371

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
Rain99.4 in/yr
Sunny Days156/yr
Elevation653 ft (199 m)
Population927
Population Density0 / sq mi
Elevation653 ft (199 m)
Coordinates-42.1167°, 171.8667°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceWest Coast
Average Temperature50°F (10°C)
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average41°F (5°C)
Annual Precipitation99.4 inches (2,525 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$17,640
Median Age54.0 years

About Reefton

Reefton is a small town in New Zealand (West Coast) with a population of 927. The city sits at an elevation of 653 feet (199 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 50°F (10°C). Temperatures range from 59°F in January to 41°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 99.4 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Reefton has a population of 927 with a density of 0 people per square mile, spread across 5,555.4 square miles. The median age is 54.0 years, 39% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

927
Total Population
0
People / sq mi
54.0yrs
Median Age
39% above New Zealand avg
5,555.4mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Reefton vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Reefton is $17,640, which is 77% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $17,640 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $339, 76% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 6.4% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 85 business establishments.

Income: Reefton vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$17,640
77% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$17,640
Avg Weekly Wage$339

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.4%
78% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)85

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Reefton is $130,000, 54% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $650 (44% below the national average of $1,163). 71.8% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 371 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 7.4x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

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

Homeownership71.8%
Owner-Occupied71.8%
Renter-Occupied28.2%
Housing Units371

Property Tax

Reefton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 41°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 156 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 99.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 653 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 41°F Jul (5°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below New Zealand avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average41°F (5°C)
Sunny Days156 days/yr

Geography

Elevation653 ft (199 m)
Area5,555.4 sq mi (14,388.5 km²)
Population Density0/sq mi
Coordinates-42.1167°N, 171.8667°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 99.4"
162% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Oct) 10.31"
Driest Month (Feb) 5.63"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

345 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.8. Most recent: M4.1 on Apr 6, 2025.

Jun 18, 1994 56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.8 96 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 97 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 94 km
Jun 19, 1994 40 km N of Methven, New Zealand M6.0 130 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 81 km
Jan 28, 1991 29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.9 18 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 65 km
Jan 28, 1991 27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.7 20 km
Jan 5, 2015 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand M5.6 116 km
May 29, 1995 South Island of New Zealand M5.5 108 km
Mar 30, 1992 57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand M5.5 122 km
Feb 15, 1991 38 km S of Westport, New Zealand M5.4 18 km
Jun 21, 1994 47 km N of Methven, New Zealand M5.4 123 km
Aug 29, 1996 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.2 84 km
May 4, 2002 66 km W of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 86 km
Feb 9, 2016 79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 100 km
Feb 10, 1990 85 km ESE of Westport, New Zealand M5.1 51 km
May 3, 2011 4 km ESE of Richmond, New Zealand M5.0 142 km
Oct 22, 2017 100 km NNE of Amberley, New Zealand M5.0 131 km
Nov 27, 1992 53 km SSW of Hokitika, New Zealand M4.9 147 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 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 2 119 km
1913 TASMAN SEA Earthquake 1.5 m — 47 km
1869 NEW ZEALAND Unknown 0.6 m — 100 km
1922 SE. NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 0.4 m — 135 km
1978 OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND Meteorological — — 140 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 7.7 in
February 59°F (15°C) 5.6 in Warmest, Driest
March 57°F (14°C) 6.6 in
April 51°F (11°C) 9.3 in
May 46°F (8°C) 9.1 in
June 42°F (5°C) 8.7 in
July 41°F (5°C) 8.1 in Coldest
August 43°F (6°C) 6.6 in
September 46°F (8°C) 9.6 in
October 50°F (10°C) 10.3 in Wettest
November 53°F (12°C) 9.5 in
December 56°F (14°C) 8.5 in

Reefton has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 41°F in July to 59°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 99.4 inches, with October being the wettest month (10.3") and February the driest (5.6").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Reefton

Institution Type Founded Website
Tai Poutini Polytechnic University — Visit →

Schools in Reefton

2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Reefton Area School — — — —
Sacred Heart School — — — —
View full schools details →

Museums in Reefton

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Blacks Point Museum
School of Mines

Hotels in Reefton

2 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Lantern Court Motels
Wilsons Hotel

Cafes in Reefton

1 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Steptoe's Coffee Emporium

Gas Stations in Reefton

1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

GAS Reefton

Golf Courses in Reefton

1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Reefton Golf Club

Airports Near Reefton

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Westport AirportWSZMedium Airport
Greymouth AirportGMNSmall Airport
Lake Haupiri/Gloriavale Christian Community Airport—Small Airport
Murchison Airport—Small Airport

Churches & Religious Organizations in Reefton

2 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Sacred Heart
St Stephan's

Explore Near Reefton

Waterfalls
1
Natural waterfalls documented by USGS and OpenStreetMap contributors
View all →

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

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Reefton.

Get Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Reefton

What is the population of Reefton?

Reefton has a population of 927 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 0 people per square mile, spread across 5,555.4 square miles. The median age of residents is 54.0 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Reefton expensive to live in?

The median household income is $17,640, 77% 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 7.4x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Reefton?

Reefton has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winter temperatures average 59°F in January, while summers reach an average of 41°F in July. The area receives 156 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 99.4 inches.

How is the job market in Reefton?

The unemployment rate in Reefton is 6.4%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $339. There are 85 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Reefton?

The median home value in Reefton is $130,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $650. The homeownership rate is 71.8%.

Nearby Cities

Westport, G3 4,600 pop · 28.6 mi Runanga, G3 1,270 pop · 37.1 mi Greymouth, G3 9,419 pop · 41.8 mi Karoro, G3 1,120 pop · 42.6 mi Hanmer Springs, E9 1,180 pop · 55.9 mi Hokitika, G3 3,350 pop · 61.9 mi Wakefield, TAS 2,680 pop · 78.6 mi Brightwater, TAS 2,390 pop · 82.0 mi Oxford, E9 2,240 pop · 83.3 mi Amberley, E9 2,780 pop · 84.1 mi Loburn, E9 2,460 pop · 85.3 mi Richmond, TAS 19,700 pop · 86.8 mi Mapua, TAS 1,819 pop · 87.4 mi West Eyreton, E9 1,620 pop · 89.2 mi
Compare Reefton with another city: