Stirling, New Zealand

Stirling is a settlement in New Zealand. It is located in South Otago, approximately 5 km from Balclutha,^[3] and just north of the Matau Branch of the Clutha River.

Stirling
Rural settlement
Coordinates: 46.248°S 169.782°E / -46.248; 169.782
Country	New Zealand
Region	Otago
District	Clutha
Ward	Balclutha
Electorates	Taieri Te Tai Tonga (Māori)
Government
• Territorial authority	Clutha District Council
• Regional council	Otago Regional Council
• Mayor of Clutha	Bryan Cadogan
• Taieri MP	Ingrid Leary
• Te Tai Tonga MP	Tākuta Ferris
Area [1]
• Total	1.00 km2 (0.39 sq mi)
Population  (June 2024)[2]
• Total	350
• Density	350/km2 (910/sq mi)
Local iwi	Ngāi Tahu

Demographics

Stirling is described by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 1.00 km² (0.39 sq mi),^[1] and had an estimated population of 350 as of June 2024,^[2] with a population density of 350 people per km². It is part of the larger Benhar-Stirling statistical area.

Historical population for Stirling

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	327	—
2013	315	−0.53%
2018	321	+0.38%
Source: [4]

Stirling had a population of 321 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 6 people (1.9%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 6 people (−1.8%) since the 2006 census. There were 123 households, comprising 168 males and 153 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.1 males per female, with 69 people (21.5%) aged under 15 years, 60 (18.7%) aged 15 to 29, 150 (46.7%) aged 30 to 64, and 45 (14.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 86.9% European/Pākehā, 12.1% Māori, 5.6% Pasifika, 0.9% Asian, and 0.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 58.9% had no religion, 33.6% were Christian, 1.9% had Māori religious beliefs and 0.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 24 (9.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 66 (26.2%) people had no formal qualifications. 36 people (14.3%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 150 (59.5%) people were employed full-time, 39 (15.5%) were part-time, and 6 (2.4%) were unemployed.^[4]

Benhar-Stirling statistical area

Benhar-Stirling, which also includes Benhar, covers 9.46 km² (3.65 sq mi)^[1] and had an estimated population of 510 as of June 2024,^[5] with a population density of 54 people per km².

Historical population for Benhar-Stirling statistical area

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
2006	468	—
2013	462	−0.18%
2018	471	+0.39%
Source: [6]

Benhar-Stirling had a population of 471 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 9 people (1.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 3 people (0.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 183 households, comprising 249 males and 219 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.14 males per female. The median age was 40.7 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 93 people (19.7%) aged under 15 years, 90 (19.1%) aged 15 to 29, 225 (47.8%) aged 30 to 64, and 66 (14.0%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 86.6% European/Pākehā, 12.7% Māori, 4.5% Pasifika, 3.2% Asian, and 1.9% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 14.0, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 53.5% had no religion, 36.3% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Muslim and 1.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 36 (9.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 93 (24.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $35,600, compared with $31,800 nationally. 48 people (12.7%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 225 (59.5%) people were employed full-time, 60 (15.9%) were part-time, and 12 (3.2%) were unemployed.^[6]

Education

Stirling School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students,^[7][8] with a roll of 67 as of November 2024.^[9] The school opened in 1879^[10] and celebrated a joint centenary with Inch Clutha school in 1958.^[11]