Waihemo

NZDep 6
Pop 1,458Median age 51Waitaki District

Waihemo is a small community in Otago with a population of 1,458 and a median age of 51. Median personal income is $32K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Waihemo is $390 (390 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 63% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Waihemo: NZDep decile 6 (moderate deprivation); 2 schools with avg EQI 475.

In 2026, Waihemo recorded 2 building approvals (2 houses, 0 units), down 84.6% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability63% Stretched
School QualityEQI 475 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 6 Moderate
Development-85% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$390
House Rent /wk$390
Rent-to-Income62.8%
Lodgements12
1/10/2024
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,458
Median Age51
Household Size
Personal Income$32K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European83.7%
Māori11.5%
Asian3.4%
Pacific Peoples1.1%
MELAA0.2%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing210
Construction69
Accommodation and Food54
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg EQI475
Total Students44
State2
Hampden SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 489 · 32 students
Macraes Moonlight SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 461 · 12 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile6/10
NZDep Score989
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)2
  Houses2
YoY Change-84.6%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023