Clinton, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clinton
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| Nickname(s):
Our Five-Horse Town
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Otago |
| District | Clutha District |
| Ward | Clinton |
| Electorates |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 0.72 km2 (0.28 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 122 m (400 ft) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 310 |
| • Density | 431/km2 (1,115/sq mi) |
Clinton is a small town located in South Otago, on New Zealand's South Island. It's a handy spot for travel, connecting to cities like Dunedin and Invercargill. You can also easily reach places like Central Otago and the Catlins from here.
The town sits right on State Highway 1. It's about halfway between Balclutha and Gore. This part of the highway is sometimes called "The Presidential Highway." This is a fun coincidence, as it sounds like the names of former US leaders Bill Clinton and Al Gore! A railway line, called the Main South Line, also runs through Clinton.
Clinton was named after Henry Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle. He was an important British government official who looked after the colonies.
Contents
Who Lives in Clinton?
Clinton is a small rural town. It covers about 0.72 square kilometers. In 2018, around 288 people lived there. This means about 400 people lived in each square kilometer.
| Historical population for the town | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 2006 | 291 | — |
| 2013 | 285 | −0.30% |
| 2018 | 288 | +0.21% |
The population of Clinton has stayed quite steady. In the 2018 New Zealand census, there were 288 residents. This was a small increase from 2013. There were 117 households in the town.
Most people in Clinton are of European background (83.3%). About 26% are Māori. Some people also identify as Asian or other ethnicities. People can belong to more than one ethnic group.
When it comes to beliefs, many people (54.2%) said they had no religion. About 32.3% were Christian. A small number followed Māori religious beliefs, Hindu, or Buddhist faiths.
Clinton's Wider Area
The Clinton statistical area is much larger. It includes nearby places like Waiwera South. This area covers about 839.70 square kilometers. In 2023, about 1,230 people lived in this wider area.
| Historical population for the statistical area | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 2006 | 1,170 | — |
| 2013 | 1,200 | +0.36% |
| 2018 | 1,230 | +0.50% |
The population in the wider Clinton area has slowly grown. In 2018, there were 1,230 people living there. This was an increase from both 2013 and 2006.
Learning in Clinton
Clinton has its own school! Clinton School is a primary school for students from Year 1 to Year 8. It teaches both boys and girls. The school first opened its doors in 1874. As of 2024, it has about 68 students.
Clinton's Railway History
Clinton used to have a busy railway station. It opened on November 1, 1877. This station was an important stop because it was roughly halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill.
From 1880, the station had a special "refreshment room." This was a place where train passengers could get food and drinks. It even had a bar. The station and refreshment room sadly burned down in 1900 but were quickly rebuilt.
The engine shed, where train engines were kept, also burned down in 1921. The station was damaged by fire again in 1982. For many years, Clinton was the usual stop for steam trains and later railcars to refuel and for passengers to stretch their legs. However, passenger train services stopped running through Clinton in 1970. The station fully closed for goods in 1990.
See also
In Spanish: Clinton (Nueva Zelanda) para niños
