Least Dense in Canterbury

Top 35 cities ranked by least dense

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · New Zealand · Canterbury

Least Dense — Canterbury

1 Prebbleton 1/mi²

2 Allenton 2/mi²

3 Kaiapoi 15/mi²

4 Upper Riccarton 51/mi²

5 Hornby 56/mi²

6 Spreydon 66/mi²

7 Parklands 69/mi²

8 Casebrook 81/mi²

9 Avonhead 157/mi²

10 Hoon Hay 575/mi²

11 Cashmere 1,174/mi²

12 Ashburton 1,455/mi²

13 Lincoln 1,790/mi²

14 Timaru 2,241/mi²

15 Woodend 2,756/mi²

16 Rangiora 2,946/mi²

17 Papanui 3,147/mi²

18 Halswell 3,212/mi²

19 Christchurch 3,615/mi²

20 Rolleston 3,897/mi²

21 Wigram 4,235/mi²

22 Redwood 5,380/mi²

23 Shirley 5,777/mi²

24 Sydenham 5,781/mi²

25 New Brighton 6,000/mi²

26 Riccarton 8,694/mi²

27 Burwood 9,280/mi²

28 Addington 13,039/mi²

29 Merivale 14,105/mi²

30 Somerfield 15,043/mi²

31 Ilam 18,036/mi²

32 Mairehau 19,243/mi²

33 Bryndwr 20,766/mi²

34 Burnside 22,296/mi²

35 Bishopdale 26,622/mi²

The least densely populated cities in Canterbury offer spacious living with more land per resident. Prebbleton has just 1 people per square mile. These cities provide room to spread out with larger lot sizes and more open space.

Low-density cities typically feature more single-family homes with larger yards, easier parking, and less traffic congestion. They appeal to families seeking space, privacy, and access to nature without moving to a fully rural area.

While the spread-out nature of these cities means longer drives to amenities and greater reliance on personal vehicles, many residents value the trade-off for quieter neighborhoods and a more relaxed pace of life.

Did You Know?

1. In Prebbleton, there are only 1 people per square mile — each resident has roughly 21,120,000 square feet of city space.
2. Low-density cities often have significantly lower housing costs due to more available land for development.
3. Many of the least dense cities are located in the western United States, where vast open spaces define the landscape.

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