- Est. Median Value
- $406K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $250/wk
- Safety Score
- 83/100
- Green Space
- 6%
- Current Weather
- 4.9°C
- Median Age
- 48 yrs
~42 crimes/1k/yr
overcast clouds
Living in Palmerston
Palmerston is the North Otago town at the junction of State Highway 1 and the inland road to Middlemarch, and it is the coastal Otago market town that the surrounding farming district converges on for the services that the outlying localities expect a town to provide. Around 1,000 people live here, in the solid buildings of a service town whose grid reflects the confidence that 19th-century Otago applied to town planning regardless of eventual population.
The town's commercial identity is the agricultural service industry: the farm supplies, the machinery dealers, the stock agents and the professional services that the North Otago and coastal Otago farming districts need within driving distance. The Palmerston A&P Show in February is the community calendar's main event, gathering the district's farming families for the annual assessment of livestock, horticulture and the pie-eating abilities that rural shows depend on.
Trotters Gorge Scenic Reserve sits five minutes from the main street, providing the natural recreation that the town's flat site doesn't otherwise offer, while the Waikouaiti coast is 10 minutes south for the beach option. The inland route to Middlemarch and the Rail Trail begins here, directing the Rail Trail traffic through town before it climbs into the Strath Taieri.
Palmerston North School and Waitaki Boys' and Girls' feeder system handle the education, with the secondary run to Waitaki schools.
Is Palmerston a good place to live?
Palmerston is home to roughly 1,056 people across 28.1 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Palmerston scores 57 out of 100, with a safety score of 83/100 and 6% green space.
Schools: Palmerston has 2 schools 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 $406K, and weekly rent typically sits around $250.
Lifestyle: Palmerston has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 4.9°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Palmerston 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
- Safety83
- Amenities38
- Schools61
- Housing Affordability92
- Green space19
- Community33
- Transport19
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $406K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $250/wk
- Median HH Income
- $61K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +11.4%
- 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 Palmerston?
- Palmerston is in coastal Otago on State Highway 1, around 55 km north of Dunedin and 55 km south of Oamaru, at the junction with State Highway 87 to Middlemarch.
- What is Palmerston known for?
- Palmerston is a North Otago farming service town known for the annual A&P Show, Trotters Gorge Scenic Reserve, and its position as the highway junction for the inland route to the Maniototo and the Rail Trail.
- What is the Palmerston A&P Show?
- The Palmerston A&P Show in February is the main event of the coastal Otago farming calendar, gathering the district's rural community for livestock competitions, horticulture and the associated agricultural show activities.
- What schools are in Palmerston?
- Palmerston North School is the local primary, with secondary students attending Waitaki Boys' High School or Waitaki Girls' High School in Oamaru, or Otago Boys'/Girls' in Dunedin depending on the family.
- How do I get from Dunedin to Palmerston?
- By car, around 55 minutes north on State Highway 1. InterCity buses stop at Palmerston on the Dunedin to Oamaru and Christchurch route.
- Which schools are in zone for Palmerston?
- Palmerston 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 Palmerston?
- 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 Palmerston
Schools in zone for Palmerston
No enrolment-zoned schools cover Palmerston. 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 Palmerston. 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 Palmerston that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
East Otago High School
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 198 · decile 6 · 0.5 km away
Palmerston School
Contributing · roll 96 · decile 6 · 0.8 km away
Explore Palmerston
Things to do(1)
Poniworks
Parks & green spaces
Parks and reserves for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Healthcare(1)
Waihemo Pharmacy
Eat & Drink in Palmerston
Places to eat & drink(3)
McGregors Bakery and Tearooms
The Fish N Chip Shop
The Coffee Cup Cafe
Tradies & Services in Palmerston
Tradies & services(7)
JD Builders
Learning Links Childcare
One Stop Panel & Paint Shop
Skevingtons
Waihemo Wastebusters Resource Recovery Centre
Waikouaiti Auto & Engineering Palmerston Branch
Warrens Garage and Towing
Shops in Palmerston
Shops(3)
Four Square
Four Square Palmerston
My Butler's Pantry
Beauty & Fitness in Palmerston
Beauty & fitness(2)
Poniworks
Scissors On Main
Stay in Palmerston
Places to stay(2)
Pioneer Motels
Waihemo Lodge Hotel
Palmerston Weather
Current conditions: 4.9°C, overcast clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 20.35 | 11.9 | 1.65 | 10.05 |
| ☀️ Feb | 20.43 | 11.56 | 2.42 | 10.31 |
| 🍂 Mar | 17.97 | 9.62 | 3.23 | 9.11 |
| 🍂 Apr | 16.22 | 8.24 | 1.98 | 7.37 |
| 🍂 May | 13.4 | 5.61 | 1.66 | 6.17 |
| ❄️ Jun | 11.17 | 4.49 | 2.13 | 5.18 |
| ❄️ Jul | 10.62 | 4.2 | 2.64 | 6.29 |
| ❄️ Aug | 12.06 | 3.01 | 0.99 | 7.81 |
| 🌸 Sep | 14.6 | 5.48 | 2.78 | 8.52 |
| 🌸 Oct | 15.58 | 6.42 | 4.61 | 9.61 |
| 🌸 Nov | 16.16 | 7.83 | 3.07 | 10.28 |
| ☀️ Dec | 18.84 | 10.84 | 4.4 | 9.33 |
Palmerston Community
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Local tips
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