Smallest Cities in Canterbury

Top 33 cities ranked by smallest cities

Smallest Cities - Canterbury

1 Casebrook 5,262
2 Addington 5,346
3 Merivale 5,360
4 Burwood 5,661
5 Sydenham 6,243
6 New Brighton 6,480
7 Allenton 6,789
8 Cashmere 6,940
9 Shirley 6,990
10 Somerfield 7,070
11 Mairehau 7,120
12 Papanui 7,900
13 Upper Riccarton 7,990
14 Lincoln 8,130
15 Redwood 8,500
16 Hornby 8,790
17 Hoon Hay 9,510
18 Bryndwr 9,760
19 Burnside 9,810
20 Bishopdale 9,850
21 Ilam 10,100
22 Spreydon 10,210
23 Avonhead 10,240
24 Parklands 10,760
25 Riccarton 11,650
26 Wigram 11,900
27 Kaiapoi 12,850
28 Halswell 13,200
29 Rangiora 19,250
30 Ashburton 20,200
31 Rolleston 21,900
32 Timaru 28,700
33 Christchurch 383,200

The smallest cities in Canterbury (with populations above 5,000) offer a different quality of life compared to major metropolitan areas. Casebrook has a population of just 5,262. These communities often feature lower costs of living, stronger neighborhood connections, and less congestion.

Small cities can offer significant advantages for residents seeking affordable housing, shorter commutes, and a close-knit community feel. Many serve as regional centers for surrounding rural areas, providing essential services while maintaining a small-town atmosphere.

Despite their smaller size, many of these cities have thriving local economies, good school systems, and access to outdoor recreation. They represent an alternative to the fast-paced lifestyle of major metropolitan areas.

Did You Know?

  • 1. At 5,262 residents, Casebrook is smaller than a single large apartment complex in New York City.
  • 2. Small cities (5,000-10,000) make up the majority of incorporated places in the United States.
  • 3. Many of the smallest cities serve as county seats or regional service centers for surrounding rural communities.

Browse Rankings by Region

New Zealand - By Region

Auckland Bay of Plenty Canterbury Hawke's Bay Region Manawatu-Wanganui Northland Otago Taranaki Region Waikato Region Wellington Region

By Country

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Netherlands Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe