- Est. Median Value
- $281K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $172/wk
- Safety Score
- 88/100
- Green Space
- 8%
- Current Weather
- 5.5°C
- Median Age
- 37 yrs
~37 crimes/1k/yr
light rain
Living in Clinton
Clinton is the South Otago town at the end of the Clutha Plains where State Highway 1 turns firmly toward Invercargill and the countryside gives notice that Southland is approaching. Around 300 people live in this farming service town, which holds the notable distinction of being the northern terminus of one of New Zealand's great walking routes: the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track has nothing to do with Clinton, but the Milford Track's northern end at Glenorchy is the famous one, while Clinton has the quiet honour of being the point where the Milford Track proper begins for those who've flown into Te Anau and driven to the Lake Te Anau boat shed - except that's Lake Te Anau, not Clinton. What Clinton actually has is the Clinton River, a name shared with the Milford Track's first valley, a coincidence of naming that the town has lived with calmly.
The town's character is the honest service-centre model: the garage, the hotel, the school and the farming supply operations that a rural crossroads requires. The surrounding Clutha Plains carry the sheep and dairy farming that the district's flat, productive land supports, and Clinton processes the agricultural activity of its hinterland with the efficiency of a small town that knows its function.
Clinton School anchors the local primary years. The highway continues south to Invercargill, 75 km ahead.
Is Clinton a good place to live?
Clinton is home to roughly 1,200 people across 142.3 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Clinton scores 58 out of 100, with a safety score of 88/100 and 8% green space.
Schools: Clinton has 1 school in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $281K, and weekly rent typically sits around $172.
Lifestyle: Clinton has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 5.5°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Clinton is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety88
- Amenities12
- Schools0
- Housing Affordability100
- Green space25
- Community67
- Transport19
Some dimensions are still pending data: schoolQuality.
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $281K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $172/wk
- Median HH Income
- $79K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- -2.4%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Clinton?
- Clinton is in South Otago on State Highway 1, around 60 km south of Balclutha and 75 km north of Invercargill, at the southern edge of the Clutha Plains.
- What is Clinton known for?
- Clinton is a farming service town on SH1 and shares its name with the first valley on the Milford Track, a coincidence that makes its appearance in tramping conversations more frequent than its size would suggest.
- What is the farming like near Clinton?
- The Clutha Plains around Clinton support sheep and dairy farming on the flat productive land, with Clinton serving as a service point for the surrounding agricultural district.
- What schools are in Clinton?
- Clinton School is the local state primary, with secondary students travelling to Balclutha's South Otago High School or Gore's colleges.
- How do I get from Dunedin to Clinton?
- By car, around 2 hours south on State Highway 1 through Balclutha. InterCity buses stop at Clinton on the Dunedin to Invercargill route.
- Which schools are in zone for Clinton?
- Clinton is not covered by a school enrolment zone. Nearby schools may accept enrolments under open enrolment or by application.
- How do I check my school zone in Clinton?
- Use the School Zone Checker on this page. Enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Clinton
Schools in zone for Clinton
No enrolment-zoned schools cover Clinton. The schools below are the nearest options — many operate open enrolment.
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Clinton. School enrolment zones (home zones) decide which schools your child has a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Address matching is approximate and based on OpenStreetMap geocoding — confirm an exact result near a zone boundary directly with the school.
Other nearby schools
Schools close to Clinton that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
Clinton School
Full Primary · roll 67 · decile 5 · 4.7 km away
Eat & Drink in Clinton
Places to eat & drink(1)
Clinton Express
Tradies & Services in Clinton
Tradies & services(2)
Clinton Automotive
Little Oaks Early Learning Centre
Shops in Clinton
Shops(3)
Ashton Glen Perennial Nursery
Chairful Studio
Food For Thought
Stay in Clinton
Places to stay(1)
Crossroads Clinton Ltd
Clinton Weather
Current conditions: 5.5°C, light rain
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 19.63 | 10.23 | 2.28 | 11.11 |
| ☀️ Feb | 18.66 | 9.75 | 2.67 | 9.96 |
| 🍂 Mar | 15.63 | 7.85 | 3.66 | 8.34 |
| 🍂 Apr | 13.96 | 7.07 | 2.13 | 6.3 |
| 🍂 May | 10.86 | 4.96 | 2.6 | 5.12 |
| ❄️ Jun | 8.57 | 2.57 | 2.07 | 5.5 |
| ❄️ Jul | 8.2 | 2.96 | 2.69 | 5.35 |
| ❄️ Aug | 9.71 | 2.45 | 1.56 | 6.86 |
| 🌸 Sep | 11.73 | 4.14 | 3.72 | 7.36 |
| 🌸 Oct | 13.09 | 4.99 | 3.75 | 8.26 |
| 🌸 Nov | 15.01 | 6.34 | 2.36 | 10.06 |
| ☀️ Dec | 17.52 | 8.99 | 3.55 | 9.74 |
Clinton Community
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Local tips
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