Lumsden-Balfour

NZDep 5
Pop 1,314Median age 40Southland District

Lumsden-Balfour is a small community in Southland with a population of 1,314 and a median age of 40. Median personal income is $43K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Lumsden-Balfour is $380 (380 houses, 0 units). This represents approximately 46% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Lumsden-Balfour: NZDep decile 5 (moderate deprivation); 3 schools with avg EQI 448.

In 2026, Lumsden-Balfour recorded 0 building approvals (0 houses, 0 units), down 100% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability46% Stretched
School QualityEQI 448 Average
DeprivationDecile 5 Moderate
Development-100% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$380
House Rent /wk$380
Rent-to-Income46.3%
Lodgements12
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population1,314
Median Age40
Household Size
Personal Income$43K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European80.9%
Māori9.8%
Asian7.6%
Pacific Peoples1.5%
MELAA0.2%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing339
Education and Training51
Construction48
SCHOOLS (3)
Avg EQI448
Total Students367
State3
Northern Southland CollegeSecondary (Year 7-15) · State · EQI 464 · 214 students
Lumsden SchoolContributing · State · EQI 458 · 90 students
Balfour SchoolContributing · State · EQI 421 · 63 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile5/10
NZDep Score981
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)0
YoY Change-100%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023