Bellingen
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Bellingen reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Bellingen's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 6,279 people. This figure represents an increase of 111 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 6,168. The change can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,154 in June 2024 and the addition of 99 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 6.3 persons per square kilometer. Bellingen's growth rate of 1.8% since the census places it within 2.0 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.8%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth is anticipated for non-metropolitan areas nationally. Bellingen is expected to increase by 245 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 1.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Bellingen recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Bellingen has seen approximately 26 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 130 homes were approved and another six have been approved in FY-26 so far. On average, each dwelling constructed over these years has added about 0.8 new residents yearly.

This suggests that new construction is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections. The average expected construction cost of new homes is around $514,000. In FY-26, approximately $3.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's residential character. Compared to the rest of NSW, Bellingen maintains similar construction rates per capita, preserving market equilibrium with surrounding areas.

The new building activity shows a mix of 59% detached houses and 41% attached dwellings, including townhouses and apartments, offering options across different price points from family homes to more affordable compact living. This shift is notable compared to the area's existing housing stock, which is currently 95% houses, suggesting decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and demand for diverse, affordable housing options. With around 191 people per dwelling approval, Bellingen exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. Future projections indicate that Bellingen could add approximately 118 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Bellingen has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

Five projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly: Taylors Rise Estate, Retail & ShopTop Housing Development, Hyde Street in Bellingen, Watson Place Affordable Housing, and Sewering Coastal Villages Project.

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Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Bellingen faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Bellingen has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 5.8% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.4%. As of that date, 2,716 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.1% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation was similar to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.

The area has a particularly strong specialization in education & training with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Conversely, public administration & safety shows lower representation at 5.4% compared to the regional average of 7.5%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 1.4% while labour force increased by 3.9%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 2.3 percentage points. This compares to Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.1%, labour force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 offer insight into potential future demand within Bellingen. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggest that national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Bellingen's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022, Bellingen had a median income among taxpayers of $41,196 with the average level standing at $52,917. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $49,459 and $62,998 across Rest of NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% from financial year ended June 2022 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $46,391 (median) and $59,590 (average). Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Bellingen all fall between the 19th and 21st percentiles nationally. Looking at income distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 30.4% of the community (1,908 individuals), reflecting patterns seen regionally where 29.9% similarly occupy this range. After housing costs, 85.5% of income remains, though this ranks at only the 24th percentile nationally and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

Bellingen is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Bellingen, as evaluated at the Census conducted in 2016, comprised 95.4% houses and 4.5% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's dwelling structure of 78.4% houses and 21.6% other dwellings. The level of home ownership in Bellingen was 46.5%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (31.4%) or rented (22.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area, as recorded in 2017, was $1,517, which is below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure for Bellingen in 2017 was $370, matching Non-Metro NSW's figure. Nationally, Bellingen's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, as recorded in 2017, while rents are slightly less than the national figure of $375 for the same year.

Bellingen features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 69.7% of all households, including 26.5% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 14.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 30.3%, with lone person households at 26.2% and group households making up 4.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Bellingen exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Bellingen is notable with 33.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, surpassing the SA4 region's 19.8% and the Rest of NSW's 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.7%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational credentials are also prominent with 37.1%, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (24.2%). Educational participation is high, with 33.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 12.4% in primary, 10.4% in secondary, and 3.7% in tertiary education.

Bellingen has a robust network of 6 schools educating approximately 1,187 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1020). The educational mix includes 4 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. School capacity exceeds residential needs at 18.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 15.6, indicating Bellingen serves as an educational center for the broader region. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Analysis of public transport in Bellingen shows 243 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops are served by a mix of buses along 35 individual routes, collectively providing 383 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 183 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 54 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Bellingen are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Bellingen's health indicators show below-average outcomes, with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~2,932 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues impact 9.6% of residents, while arthritis affects 8.6%. A total of 69.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.9% across Rest of NSW. As of the latest data (2021), 23.3% of Bellingen's population is aged 65 and over (1,464 people). Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

Bellingen ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Bellingen, surveyed in 2016, had a cultural diversity below average. Its population was predominantly Australian citizens, with 87.6%, born in Australia, at 83.2%, and speaking English only at home, at 94.9%. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 28.4% of Bellingen's population.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to Rest of NSW, with 0.5% versus 0.1%. Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were English (31.2%), Australian (26.8%), and Irish (10.4%). There were also notable divergences in Scottish (9.4% vs regional 8.3%), Welsh (0.8% vs 0.5%), and Hungarian (0.4% vs 0.2%) representations.

Bellingen hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Bellingen's median age is 46, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and significantly greater than Australia's national norm of 38. The 45-54 age group constitutes a strong 15.0%, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 7.8%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 age group grew from 6.2% to 7.1% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 15.2% to 13.5%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 15.9% to 14.6%. By 2041, Bellingen is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 75 to 84 group will grow by 40%, reaching 627 people from 446. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above comprising 53% of projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 age cohorts.