Merivale

NZDep 4
Pop 3,135Median age 42Christchurch City

Merivale is a small suburb in Canterbury with a population of 3,135 and a median age of 42. Median personal income is $51K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Asian, Māori.

Median weekly rent in Merivale is $560 (560 houses, 540 units). This represents approximately 57% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Merivale: NZDep decile 4 (moderate deprivation); 4 schools with avg EQI 376.

In 2026, Merivale recorded 3 building approvals (0 houses, 3 units), down 86.4% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability57% Stretched
School QualityEQI 376 Above Average
DeprivationDecile 4 Moderate
Development-86% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$560
House Rent /wk$560
Unit Rent /wk$540
Rent-to-Income57.2%
Lodgements33
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population3,135
Median Age42
Household Size
Personal Income$51K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European77.7%
Asian14.0%
Māori5.2%
MELAA1.7%
Pacific Peoples1.5%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Professional, Scientific and Technical282
Health Care and Social Assistance231
Education and Training159
SCHOOLS (4)
Avg EQI376
Total Students2,360
Private : Fully Registered3
State1
St Margaret's CollegeComposite · Private : Fully Registered · 878 students
Rangi Ruru Girls' SchoolSecondary (Year 7-15) · Private : Fully Registered · 707 students
Elmwood Normal SchoolContributing · State · EQI 376 · 491 students
Selwyn House SchoolFull Primary · Private : Fully Registered · 284 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile4/10
NZDep Score955
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)3
  Units3
YoY Change-86.4%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023