Clyde, New Zealand

Clyde, formerly Dunstan, is a small town in Central Otago, New Zealand with a population of 1,260 in June 2023.[2] It is located on the Clutha River, between Cromwell and Alexandra.

"Dunstan, New Zealand" redirects here. For other uses, see Dunstan (disambiguation).

Clyde
Town
Clyde, Central Otago, New Zealand
Clyde, Central Otago, New Zealand
Coordinates: 45°11′S 169°19′E
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityCentral Otago District
WardVincent Ward
Government
 • Local authorityCentral Otago District Council
 • Regional councilOtago Regional Council
Area
[1]
 • Urban area2.08 km2 (0.80 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2023)[2]
 • Urban area1,260
 • Density610/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Local iwiNgāi Tahu
St Dunstan's Church (Catholic) Clyde, Otago
Sunderland Street
Former Clyde Post Office

Clyde grew up around the former settlement of Dunstan during the Central Otago goldrush of the 1860s. The town could once claim to be the most populous in New Zealand during the height of gold fever. The town's post office (and thus the town) was officially renamed from Dunstan to Clyde on 22 May 1865, after Lord Clyde.[3]

St Dunstan's Church a now heritage building designed by the architect Francis William Petre in the early English Gothic revival style was built in Clyde in 1903.[4]

More recently the town has been known for the Clyde Dam, a giant hydroelectric dam at the north end of the town, behind which lies Lake Dunstan. The Clutha River is the swiftest river (per volume) in the southern hemisphere. The river then runs to the Roxburgh Dam before finally meeting the sea at Balclutha.

The town is a popular holiday spot. It lies at the western end of the Otago Central Rail Trail. The Otago Central Branch Railway originally terminated at Cromwell, but this section of the railway was closed in 1980, with the railway to Clyde used to bring materials for the dam project. The rail trail is nowadays often cycled and walked by visitors and locals alike.

The township is home to Dunstan Hospital, serving the surrounding district, including Alexandra and Cromwell. The hospital was rebuilt in 2006 with the original building remaining.

Clyde is fast becoming known as a tourist haven. The location is particularly attractive to those visiting the region's many vineyards and orchards. The regional weather is particularly warm and dry during the summer months due to the rain shadow effect caused by the Southern Alps (given New Zealand's westerly winds).

During the week beginning 22 September, the Clyde/Alexandra district hosts a Blossom Festival. This event celebrates the beginning of spring which brings the blossoming of fruit trees in the area's orchards. Entertainment at the festival includes a parade with floats made by local businesses, fun park rides, and bands.

Demographics

Clyde is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area, and covers 2.08 km2 (0.80 sq mi).[1] It had an estimated population of 1,260 as of June 2023,[5] with a population density of 606 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006906—    
2013999+1.41%
20181,161+3.05%
Source: [6]

Clyde had a population of 1,161 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 162 people (16.2%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 255 people (28.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 528 households. There were 594 males and 564 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.05 males per female. The median age was 55.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 165 people (14.2%) aged under 15 years, 99 (8.5%) aged 15 to 29, 558 (48.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 342 (29.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 93.8% European/Pākehā, 6.2% Māori, 1.8% Pacific peoples, 2.3% Asian, and 2.1% other ethnicities (totals add to more than 100% since people could identify with multiple ethnicities).

The proportion of people born overseas was 11.6%, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 53.2% had no religion, 37.5% were Christian, 0.3% were Buddhist and 1.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 153 (15.4%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 198 (19.9%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $31,000, compared with $31,800 nationally. 144 people (14.5%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 477 (47.9%) people were employed full-time, 156 (15.7%) were part-time, and 21 (2.1%) were unemployed.[6]

Education

Clyde School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,[7][8] with a roll of 162 as of April 2023.[9] The school opened in 1863.[7]

The nearest high school is Dunstan High School, which is situated 10 km away in Alexandra.[10]

The nearest university is Otago University 200 km away in Dunedin.

Climate
Climate data for Clyde, New Zealand
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 16.6
(61.9)		 17.0
(62.6)		 15.0
(59.0)		 11.3
(52.3)		 7.6
(45.7)		 4.6
(40.3)		 3.7
(38.7)		 5.3
(41.5)		 7.4
(45.3)		 9.6
(49.3)		 12.5
(54.5)		 15.6
(60.1)		 10.5
(50.9)
Average low °C (°F) 6.4
(43.5)		 6.1
(43.0)		 4.8
(40.6)		 3.2
(37.8)		 0.8
(33.4)		 −1.6
(29.1)		 −2.4
(27.7)		 −1.8
(28.8)		 −0.7
(30.7)		 0.6
(33.1)		 2.8
(37.0)		 5.5
(41.9)		 2.0
(35.6)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 59.0
(2.32)		 62.0
(2.44)		 40.0
(1.57)		 52.0
(2.05)		 48.0
(1.89)		 29.0
(1.14)		 50.0
(1.97)		 38.0
(1.50)		 36.0
(1.42)		 64.0
(2.52)		 68.0
(2.68)		 71.0
(2.80)		 617
(24.3)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.1
(0.0)		 1.1
(0.4)		 2.1
(0.8)		 4.1
(1.6)		 5.1
(2.0)		 4.5
(1.8)		 2.3
(0.9)		 2.4
(0.9)		 0.6
(0.2)		 0.0
(0.0)		 22.3
(8.6)
Average rainy days 10.6 8.9 9.7 9.6 11.6 11.7 11.2 10.3 9.6 11.3 10.5 12.3 127.3
Average snowy days 0 0 0.2 0.3 2.2 2.7 3.8 2.4 2.5 1.5 0.4 0 16
Average relative humidity (%) (at morning) 74.7 80 83.1 87 86.5 88.9 89.9 86.9 80.6 77.5 73.8 75 82.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 297.6 245.8 244.9 222 195.3 168 151.9 204.6 231 235.6 267 341 2,804.7
Mean daily sunshine hours 9.6 8.7 7.9 7.4 6.3 5.6 4.9 6.6 7.7 7.6 8.9 11 7.7
Mean daily daylight hours 15.2 13.9 12.4 10.8 9.5 8.8 9.1 10.3 11.8 13.4 14.8 15.6 12.1
Source: Weather Atlas[11]Weatherbase(Rainy days-Humidity)[12]

Notable people

References
  1. "ArcGIS Web Application". statsnz.maps.arcgis.com. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  2. "Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (regional councils); "Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (territorial authorities); "Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023. (urban areas)
  3. Gilkison, Robert (1958). Early Days in Central Otago. Whitcombe and Tombs Limited. p. 169.
  4. "St Dunstan's Church (Catholic)". Historic Place Category 2 List Number 2387. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  5. "Population estimate tables - NZ.Stat". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Clyde (345400). 2018 Census place summary: Clyde
  7. "Clyde School Official School Website". clydeschool.co.nz.
  8. "Clyde School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  9. "Clyde School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  10. "Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  11. "Yearly & Monthly Weather - Clyde, New Zealand". Weater Atlas. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  12. "Clyde, New Zealand Travel Weather Averages". Weatherbase. Retrieved 11 September 2023.

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