Dobson

NZDep 8
Pop 909Median age 45Grey District

Dobson is a small community in West Coast with a population of 909 and a median age of 45. Median personal income is $37K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Livability indicators for Dobson: NZDep decile 8 (high deprivation); 1 school with avg EQI 516.

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

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
School QualityEQI 516 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 8 High
Development-100% Slowing
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population909
Median Age45
Household Size
Personal Income$37K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European85.1%
Māori11.9%
Asian2.1%
MELAA0.6%
Pacific Peoples0.3%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Construction69
Manufacturing51
Transport, Postal and Warehousing51
SCHOOLS (1)
Avg EQI516
Total Students68
State1
Paparoa Range SchoolFull Primary · State · EQI 516 · 68 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile8/10
NZDep Score1042
High deprivation — among the most deprived areas in NZ.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)0
YoY Change-100%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023