Shirley West

NZDep 9
Pop 4,281Median age 35Christchurch City

Shirley West is a small suburb in Canterbury with a population of 4,281 and a median age of 35. Median personal income is $35K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Shirley West is $550 (550 houses, 435 units). This represents approximately 81% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Shirley West: NZDep decile 9 (high deprivation); 1 school with avg EQI 494.

In 2026, Shirley West recorded 7 building approvals (0 houses, 7 units), down 89.2% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability81% Stretched
School QualityEQI 494 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 9 High
Development-89% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$550
House Rent /wk$550
Unit Rent /wk$435
Rent-to-Income81.0%
Lodgements36
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population4,281
Median Age35
Household Size
Personal Income$35K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European63.9%
Māori15.5%
Asian11.8%
Pacific Peoples6.4%
MELAA2.5%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Construction270
Health Care and Social Assistance252
Retail Trade219
SCHOOLS (1)
Avg EQI494
Total Students343
State1
Te Hiwa Shirley Primary SchoolContributing · State · EQI 494 · 343 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile9/10
NZDep Score1070
High deprivation — among the most deprived areas in NZ.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)7
  Units7
YoY Change-89.2%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023