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Westport, New Zealand

West Coast · New Zealand

Westport is a small town in West Coast, New Zealand with a population of 4,600. Elevation: 10 ft (3 m). Average temperature: 54°F (12°C).

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
4,600 Population 1/sq mi density
10 ft Elevation 3 meters
54°F Avg Temperature 12°C
99.8 in Annual Rain
Pacific / Auckland Timezone
$17,580 Median Income
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$17,580 median income, 5.6% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.8 / 5.0
$150,800 home value, $754/mo rent

Discover Westport, 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

About Westport

Westport

Westport is the main town of the Buller District in the West Coast Region of the South Island of New Zealand. Established in 1861, it is the oldest European settlement on the West Coast. Originally named Buller, it is on the right bank and at the mouth of the Buller River, close to the prominent headland of Cape Foulwind. It is connected with Greymouth, 100 kilometres (62 mi) to the south, via State Highway 6, and with Nelson, 222 kilometres (138 mi) to the northeast, via the Buller Gorge. The Westport urban area has 4,600 residents, out of a Buller District population of 10,650, as of June 2025.

People

Population4,600
Median Age50.9 yrs
Density1/mi²

Economy

C+
Median Income$17,580
Per Capita$17,580
Unemployment5.6%

Housing

D
Home Value$150,800
Rent$754
Ownership69.5%
Housing Units1,840

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
Rain99.8 in/yr
Sunny Days155/yr
Elevation10 ft (3 m)
Population4,600
Population Density1 / sq mi
Elevation10 ft (3 m)
Coordinates-41.7526°, 171.6037°
TimezonePacific/Auckland
Country🇳🇿 New Zealand
State / ProvinceWest Coast
Average Temperature54°F (12°C)
January Average62°F (16°C)
July Average46°F (8°C)
Annual Precipitation99.8 inches (2,536 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)
Median Household Income$17,580
Median Age50.9 years

About Westport

Westport is a small town in New Zealand (West Coast) with a population of 4,600. The city sits at an elevation of 10 feet (3 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 54°F (12°C). Temperatures range from 62°F in January to 46°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 99.8 inches. The timezone is Pacific/Auckland.

Westport has a population of 4,600 with a density of 1 people per square mile, spread across 5,555.4 square miles. The median age is 50.9 years, 31% older than the national median of 38.9.

Population

4,600
Total Population
1
People / sq mi
50.9yrs
Median Age
31% above New Zealand avg
5,555.4mi²
Land Area

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages 100.0%

Social Characteristics

Westport vs New Zealand Average

The median household income in Westport is $17,580, which is 77% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $17,580 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $338, 76% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). The area has 423 business establishments.

Income: Westport vs New Zealand

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$17,580
77% below New Zealand avg
Per Capita Income$17,580
Avg Weekly Wage$338

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above New Zealand avg
Establishments (County)423

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

The median home value in Westport is $150,800, 47% below the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $754 (35% below the national average of $1,163). 69.5% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 1,840 total housing units in the city. The home price-to-income ratio is 8.6x, making homeownership a significant financial stretch for most families.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$150,800
47% below New Zealand avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$754
35% below New Zealand avg

Ownership & Property

Homeownership69.5%
Owner-Occupied69.5%
Renter-Occupied30.5%
Housing Units1,840

Property Tax

Westport experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 46°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 155 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 99.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 10 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

62°F Jan (16°C) 46°F Jul (8°C)
Annual Average54.2°F
0% below New Zealand avg
January Average62°F (16°C)
July Average46°F (8°C)
Sunny Days155 days/yr

Geography

Elevation10 ft (3 m)
Area5,555.4 sq mi (14,388.5 km²)
Population Density1/sq mi
Coordinates-41.7526°N, 171.6037°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 99.8"
163% above New Zealand avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Apr) 10.71"
Driest Month (Feb) 6.26"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

257 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 M6.8 135 km
Nov 24, 1995 47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand M6.2 138 km
Apr 24, 2015 73 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M6.1 121 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M6.0 119 km
Jan 28, 1991 29 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.9 30 km
Jan 28, 1991 27 km SSE of Westport, New Zealand M5.7 27 km
Feb 10, 1990 90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.7 105 km
Jan 5, 2015 43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand M5.6 148 km
May 29, 1995 South Island of New Zealand M5.5 145 km
Feb 15, 1991 38 km S of Westport, New Zealand M5.4 39 km
Aug 29, 1996 74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M5.2 126 km
Feb 9, 2016 79 km S of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 128 km
May 4, 2002 66 km W of Wakefield, New Zealand M5.2 67 km
Feb 10, 1990 85 km ESE of Westport, New Zealand M5.1 86 km
May 3, 2011 4 km ESE of Richmond, New Zealand M5.0 143 km
Feb 24, 1991 40 km SSW of Westport, New Zealand M4.9 41 km
Feb 11, 2017 53 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M4.9 139 km
Aug 30, 2002 98 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M4.8 109 km
Dec 29, 2000 57 km NW of Amberley, New Zealand M4.7 125 km
Mar 15, 2020 47 km N of Amberley, New Zealand M4.7 150 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1913 TASMAN SEA Earthquake 1.5 m 10 km
1869 NEW ZEALAND Unknown 0.6 m 120 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 62°F (16°C) 8.6 in
February 62°F (17°C) 6.3 in Warmest, Driest
March 60°F (16°C) 6.6 in
April 56°F (13°C) 10.7 in Wettest
May 51°F (11°C) 8.9 in
June 47°F (8°C) 8.5 in
July 46°F (8°C) 8.0 in Coldest
August 48°F (9°C) 6.5 in
September 51°F (10°C) 8.0 in
October 53°F (12°C) 9.5 in
November 56°F (13°C) 9.1 in
December 59°F (15°C) 9.3 in

Westport has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 46°F in July to 62°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 99.8 inches, with April being the wettest month (10.7") and February the driest (6.3").

View full weather details →

Schools in Westport

5 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Buller High School
Westport North School
Westport South School
Saint Canice’s School
OneSchool Global Westport
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Westport

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Libraries in Westport

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library0.0

Hotels in Westport

1 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Cosmopolitan Hotel

Restaurants in Westport

6 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Denniston Dog
Donaldos Cafe & Bar
J's Feed The Soul
Johnny's Restaurant and Bar
Kathrin's - Cake & More
Smileys Pizza & Takeaways

Cafes in Westport

3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Gibby's Café
PR's cafe
West Coast Pies

Theatres in Westport

1 theatres within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

NBS Theatre

Train Stations in Westport

3 train stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Festival Site
Softrock Station
Westport

Gas Stations in Westport

2 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

BP
Caltex

Banks in Westport

4 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

ANZ
ASB
Bank of New Zealand
Westpac

Golf Courses in Westport

1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Westport Golf Club

Breweries in Westport

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
West coast brewery

Airports Near Westport

4 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Westport AirportWSZMedium Airport
Greymouth AirportGMNSmall Airport
Karamea AirportSmall Airport
Murchison AirportSmall Airport

Post Offices in Westport

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
New Zealand Post

Churches & Religious Organizations in Westport

1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
St Canice's

Explore Near Westport

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Westport

What is the population of Westport?

Westport has a population of 4,600 residents and is located in New Zealand. The population density is 1 people per square mile, spread across 5,555.4 square miles. The median age of residents is 50.9 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.

Is Westport expensive to live in?

The median household income is $17,580, 77% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $150,800 (47% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $754 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 8.6x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

What is the weather like in Westport?

Westport has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winter temperatures average 62°F in January, while summers reach an average of 46°F in July. The area receives 155 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 99.8 inches.

How is the job market in Westport?

The unemployment rate in Westport is 5.6%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $338. There are 423 business establishments in the area.

How much does housing cost in Westport?

The median home value in Westport is $150,800. For renters, the median monthly rent is $754. The homeownership rate is 69.5%.

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