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Washington Valley, New Zealand

Nelson Region · New Zealand

Washington Valley is a small town in Nelson Region, New Zealand with a population of 3,080. Elevation: 79 ft (24 m). Average temperature: 51°F (11°C).

4.1 /5.0
A Great
3,080 Population 18/sq mi density
79 ft Elevation 24 meters
51°F Avg Temperature 11°C
50.8 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$48,800 Median Income
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$48,800 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,000 home value, $520/mo rent

Discover Washington Valley, 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

Population3,080
Median Age37.2 yrs
Density18/mi²

Economy

B
Median Income$48,800
Per Capita$49,076
Unemployment5.1%

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,000
Rent$520
Ownership64.5%
Housing Units1,232

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (11°C)
Rain50.8 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation79 ft (24 m)
Population3,080
Population Density18 / sq mi
Elevation79 ft (24 m)
Coordinates-41.2715°, 173.2704°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceNelson Region
Average Temperature51°F (11°C)
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Annual Precipitation50.8 inches (1,291 mm)
Annual Snowfall3.1 inches (8 cm)
Median Household Income$48,800
Median Age37.2 years

About Washington Valley

Washington Valley is a small town in New Zealand (Nelson Region) with a population of 3,080. The city sits at an elevation of 79 feet (24 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 51°F (11°C). Temperatures range from 59°F in January to 43°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 50.8 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Washington Valley has a population of 3,080 with a density of 18 people per square mile, spread across 171.8 square miles. The median age is 37.2 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9.

Population

3,080
Total Population
18
People / sq mi
37.2yrs
Median Age
4% below New Zealand avg
171.8mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Washington Valley vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Washington Valley is $48,800, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $49,076 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $944, 34% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 283 business establishments.

Income: Washington Valley vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,800
35% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$49,076
Avg Weekly Wage$944

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
41% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)283

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Washington Valley is $104,000, 63% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $520 (55% below the national average of $1,163). 64.5% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 1,232 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.1x, well within the affordable range.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,000
63% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$520
55% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership64.5%
Owner-Occupied64.5%
Renter-Occupied35.5%
Housing Units1,232

Property Tax

Washington Valley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 43°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 276 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 50.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 79 feet.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 43°F Jul (6°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below New Zealand avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average43°F (6°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation79 ft (24 m)
Area171.8 sq mi (445.0 km²)
Population Density18/sq mi
Coordinates-41.2715°N, 173.2704°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.8"
34% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 3.1"
Wettest Month (Aug) 5.67"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.68"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,046 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.5. Most recent: M4.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Aug 16, 2013 29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 90 km
Jul 21, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.5 101 km
Jul 3, 2012 63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand M6.3 145 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 90 km
May 27, 1992 21 km WSW of Blenheim, New Zealand M6.0 54 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 125 km
Jul 20, 2013 38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 102 km
Aug 16, 2013 26 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 83 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.9 94 km
Mar 22, 1995 27 km N of Picton, New Zealand M5.8 68 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 132 km
Feb 15, 2023 55 km NW of Raumati Beach, New Zealand M5.7 133 km
Oct 4, 1990 25 km SE of Brooklyn, New Zealand M5.6 143 km
Jul 18, 2013 38 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 100 km
Aug 16, 2013 30 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.5 89 km
Jul 15, 2009 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 125 km
Aug 16, 2013 25 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 86 km
Mar 13, 2005 83 km SSW of Opunake, New Zealand M5.4 124 km
Jan 5, 2017 36 km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.4 91 km
Jul 21, 2013 34 km E of Blenheim, New Zealand M5.3 96 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 11.0 m (36 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1855 NORTHERN ISLAND Earthquake 11.0 m 145 km
1868 NEW ZEALAND Earthquake 3.0 m 121 km
2013 WELLINGTON Earthquake 0.1 m 90 km
2013 COOK STRAIT Earthquake 0.1 m 101 km
1855 WHARANUI Earthquake 100 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 59°F (15°C) 3.9 in
February 62°F (17°C) 2.7 in Warmest, Driest
March 60°F (16°C) 4.0 in
April 55°F (13°C) 4.8 in
May 50°F (10°C) 4.4 in
June 46°F (8°C) 4.3 in
July 43°F (6°C) 5.0 in Coldest
August 46°F (8°C) 5.7 in Wettest
September 49°F (10°C) 4.3 in
October 53°F (12°C) 5.1 in
November 56°F (13°C) 4.3 in
December 60°F (15°C) 4.0 in

Washington Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 43°F in July to 62°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 52.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.7") and February the driest (2.7").

View full weather details →

Radio Stations near Washington Valley

2 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Brian FM 105.6 Nelson NZ AAC 128 kbps
BeachFM 106.3 00s, 60s MP3 192 kbps

Museums in Washington Valley

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Founders Heritage Park
Maritime museum
Nelson Classic Car Museum
Nelson Provincial Museum
Port Museum

Libraries in Washington Valley

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Elma Turner Library0.0
Mapua Community Library0.0
Mapua Library0.0
Nightingale Library Tāhunanui0.0
Richmond Library0.0
Stoke Library0.0
Wakefield Library0.0

Farmers Markets in Washington Valley

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Nelson Farmers Market
The Nelson Market

Hotels in Washington Valley

1 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Te Puna Wai Lodge

Restaurants in Washington Valley

2 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Nahm
Styx

Cafes in Washington Valley

4 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Boat Shed Cafe
Shelstar Coffee
Sublime Coffee Roasters
The Boathouse Cafe

Gas Stations in Washington Valley

3 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

BP
npd
Z

Breweries in Washington Valley

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Two Thumbs Brewery

Stadiums & Teams in Washington Valley

TeamLeagueDivision

Ski Resorts Near Washington Valley

1 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Rainbow Ski Area 0.0 $0

Airports Near Washington Valley

7 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Nelson AirportNSNMedium Airport
Woodbourne AirportBHEMedium Airport
Lake Station AirportSmall Airport
Motueka AirportMZPSmall Airport
Omaka Blenheim AirportSmall Airport
Picton AerodromePCNSmall Airport
Takaka AirportKTFSmall Airport

Post Offices in Washington Valley

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Courier Post

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 Washington Valley

What is the population of Washington Valley?

Washington Valley has a population of 3,080 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 18 people per square mile, spread across 171.8 square miles. The median age of residents is 37.2 years.

Is Washington Valley expensive to live in?

The median household income is $48,800, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $104,000 (63% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $520 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.1x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.

What is the weather like in Washington Valley?

Washington Valley has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winter temperatures average 59°F in January, while summers reach an average of 43°F in July. The area receives 276 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 50.8 inches, with 3.1 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Washington Valley?

The unemployment rate in Washington Valley is 5.1%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $944. There are 283 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Washington Valley?

The median home value in Washington Valley is $104,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $520. The homeownership rate is 64.5%.

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