Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Forbes is $471k, with units at $450k. House values have moved 6.1% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Forbes has an estimated 10,032 residents. 227 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Statistical evaluations by AreaSearch indicate that the population of Forbes stands at approximately 10,032 as of May 2026. This represents a minor rise of 12 people (0.1%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 10,020 people. This variation is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 10,019 in June 2025 alongside an additional 227 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 2.2 persons per square kilometer, offering residents substantial space. While growth remains conservative, the 0.1% increase in Forbes since the 2021 census was higher than the SA3 region average of -0.6%.
The main driver of this expansion was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 87.7% of the total population growth over recent timeframes. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are implemented by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this coverage, SA2 projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 using a 2021 baseline are applied. Age bracket growth trends from these data collections are also projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic outlooks suggest that regional areas across the nation will experience population growth above the median, with Forbes projected to increase by 1,298 persons by 2041 according to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing an overall expansion of 12.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
154 new dwellings have been approved in Forbes over the past five years, an average of 30 a year. That is 3.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 26 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 85% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 25, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Forbes average approximately 30 properties annually, totaling 154 homes over the previous 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 23 registered so far during FY-26. Because the population has decreased in recent times, this supply level has likely satisfied local demand, ensuring suitable options for purchasers, with new dwellings being constructed at an average cost of $392,000. Additionally, commercial development projects worth $27.0 million have been approved during the current financial year, showing moderate commercial activity. Per capita development activity in Forbes aligns closely with the Rest of NSW, supporting property market consistency consistent with regional trends.
This rate falls below the national benchmark, highlighting the established nature of the area and indicating potential planning restrictions. Single-family homes make up 85.0% of the new construction, while attached residences account for the remaining 15.0%, preserving the historically low-density layout and focusing on larger layouts for families. There are roughly 286 people for every dwelling approval, reflecting a low-density property market. Demographic forecasts suggest that Forbes is set to add 1,285 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Should building rates persist at current levels, residential construction may fall short of population gains, which could heighten buyer competition and stimulate faster price appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Forbes
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Forbes, worth an estimated $159 million. A further 78 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $11.2 billion. 23 are already under construction and 25 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and environmental & disaster management. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local performance is strongly affected by updates to regional infrastructure, key projects, and planning policies. AreaSearch has identified 8 active initiatives expected to influence the community. Notable developments include the Forbes Development Project, Goldridge Estate, Homemakers Centre Stage 2, and the Forbes Multipurpose Equestrian Centre, with detailed relevance outlined in the following records.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Homemakers Centre Stage 2
Stage two development of the Homemakers Centre featuring a 24/7 service station (Ampol Foodary), convenience store, fast food restaurant (KFC), and fuel service centre, with a $5.4 million investment.
Forbes Development Project
Homes NSW is subdividing 10 hectares of vacant government-owned land to create around 132 new homes in a mix of private, social, and affordable housing to meet growing housing demand in Central West NSW. The development is located just a 5-minute drive from the Forbes town centre.
Goldridge Estate
A modern, master-planned residential estate comprising 221 affordable lots ranging from 550sqm to over 5,000sqm, featuring sustainable design, modern services including water, power, sewer, drainage, NBN, and gas, wide leafy streets, central green spaces, and proximity to local amenities such as shops, cafes, medical facilities, golf club, sports grounds, parks, and Lake Forbes.
Forbes Multipurpose Equestrian Centre
A $3.6 million multipurpose equestrian facility featuring an 80m x 60m undercover sand arena, designed to host various equestrian events from pony club sessions to rodeos, and other non-horse related events. Located near Forbes Racecourse, it serves at least 16 local user groups and boosts the local economy through sports tourism.
Daroobalgie Solar Farm
Daroobalgie Solar Farm is a 100 MW solar farm with energy storage proposed by Pacific Blue, located 11 km northeast of Forbes in Forbes Shire Council, NSW. The project received State Significant Development approval from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in June 2024 (SSD-10387). Pacific Blue is commencing next steps to prepare the project for delivery. Key site attributes include high solar irradiance averaging 1,848 kWh per square metre annually, flat terrain currently used for livestock grazing and cropping, proximity to substations and NEM transmission lines, and strong road and rail access.The project is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 34,000 homes per year and support up to 6 permanent operational roles.
Parkes Materials Recovery And Energy From Waste Facility
The NSW Government plans to build a recovery facility and an Energy from Waste facility in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct. It'll be Australia's fourth major thermal EfW facility, handling waste, recovery, and energy sales.
Newell Highway Upgrade - Parkes Bypass
A completed 10.5-kilometre bypass on the western outskirts of Parkes that relocated the Newell Highway about two kilometres west between Maguire Road and Barkers Road. Traffic switched onto the new bypass on 15 April 2025, and the project was formally declared complete on 21 November 2025 after 60 years of community advocacy. Key features include five intersections, two new bridges (Sir Henry Parkes Bridge over the rail corridor and Hartigan Avenue, and Burral Bridge over Victoria Street), a new shared pedestrian and cycling path, and removal of up to 1,200 trucks per day from local streets.Post-completion noise and traffic monitoring has continued through mid-2026 to confirm outcomes match modelling.
Parkes Hospital (Lachlan Health Service)
The NSW Government delivered a $72.8 million state-of-the-art hospital on a greenfield site to serve Parkes and the surrounding Western NSW region. Opened in November 2015, the facility features a 24-hour emergency department, inpatient wards, maternity and birthing suites, and surgical services. Recent 2024-2026 infrastructure updates include a $1.4 million mechanical and BMS chiller upgrade to ensure the facility's continued operational efficiency.
5,170 residents of Forbes are employed, from a labour force of 5,353. Unemployment sits at 3.4%, with participation at 66.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local economy in Forbes is supported by a balanced mix of professional and manual labour across multiple industries, with a low unemployment rate of 3.4%. Jobholders total 5,170 residents as of March 2026, with the unemployment rate tracking 0.7% below the Regional NSW average of 4.1%. Furthermore, participation in the labour force is exceptionally high at 66.5%, compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census data indicates that a modest 11.6% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 lockdowns. The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector is heavily represented, with its share of employment reaching 3.6 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 13.2% of the local workforce, which is lower than the 16.9% recorded across Regional NSW. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that a significant portion of local workers travel outside the area to reach their jobs. AreaSearch evaluations of SALM and ABS statistics show that over the 12-month period, the local labour force contracted by 1.2% while total employment fell by 2.3%, leading to a 1.1 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% decrease in employment, a 0.4% contraction in the labour force, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. National workforce projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide context for future employment demand in Forbes. These five and ten-year projections have been integrated with local employment structures to model future trends. Although overall national employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change differ by industry. Projecting these trends onto the industry mix of Forbes suggests local employment could grow by 5.6% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Forbes is $1,257 a week (about $65,000 a year), with median personal income at $714 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $50,901 a year against an average of $58,526. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
The most recent ATO postcode records from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show that personal earnings within the Forbes SA2 are below national averages, with a median of $50,901 and a mean of $58,526. By comparison, Regional NSW registered a median income of $52,390 and a mean income of $65,215. Incorporating the Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated projections estimate the median at $56,154 and the mean at $64,566 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reports that household, family, and individual earnings in Forbes are positioned between the 17th and 31st percentiles nationwide.
The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly wage bracket contains 27.1% of residents (2,718 individuals), which is close to the regional rate of 29.9%. Although housing costs are low enough that residents keep 87.7% of their earnings, total disposable income sits at the 21st percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Forbes had 3,805 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 4% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 28% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $230 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,257 a month. Rent absorbs 18.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Forbes consisted of 90.2% separate houses and 9.9% alternative housing styles (including semi-detached properties and apartments), compared to 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% alternative styles in Regional NSW. Home ownership rates in Forbes matched Regional NSW at 40.9%, with remaining households split between mortgaged properties (31.2%) and rental properties (27.8%). The median mortgage payment in the area was $1,257 per month, which is below the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while the median rent was $230 per week, compared to $330 in Regional NSW.
Nationally, mortgage costs in Forbes are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices are significantly below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Forbes counted 3,805 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 24% are couples with children, against 30% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 66.7%, which includes couples with children at 23.7%, couples without children at 30.4%, and single-parent homes at 11.7%. Non-family households constitute 33.3% of the total, with single-person living arrangements representing 31.1% and group homes at 2.2%. The median household size of 2.3 individuals is slightly lower than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.5% of adults in Forbes hold a university qualification, including 11.7% with a bachelor degree and 2.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 83% of areas nationally. A further 31.5% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 2,080 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 936 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment levels present challenges for the area, as university degree holders make up just 15.5% of the population, compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. This discrepancy highlights an opportunity for targeted learning programs. Among those with higher education, bachelor degrees are most common at 11.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational skills are highly prevalent, with 40.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.8% and certificates at 31.5%. A high level of educational enrollment is observed locally, with 30.4% of residents registered in formal studies.
This group includes 12.2% attending primary schools, 8.6% in secondary schools, and 2.5% in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Forbes reaches 889 stops on 44 routes, timetabled for about 580 services a week. The typical home sits about 120 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of the local transit network reveals 889 active transport stops in Forbes, including bus and rail options. These stops support 44 routes that together provide 579 weekly passenger journeys. Public transport accessibility is strong, with residents living an average of 116 meters from the nearest stop. The community is mainly residential, and the majority of workers travel outward for employment; private vehicles are the dominant mode of travel at 92%, while 6% of commuters walk. Dwellings average 1.5 vehicles each. A low 11.6% of residents worked from home, according to 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.
Public transport services run an average of 82 times daily across all routes, which corresponds to 0 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying mapping displays the 100 closest transit stops to the central coordinates of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.6% of residents in Forbes report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 87% of areas nationally. 6.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch indicate notable challenges in Forbes, particularly concerning mortality rates and the frequency of chronic conditions across different age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 48% of the population (~4,855 people) holding policies, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health concerns are the most widely reported medical conditions, affecting 10.7% and 8.3% of the population respectively. Meanwhile, 63.6% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age residents experience higher than average rates of chronic health issues.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 23.3% of the population (2,333 people), with their health outcomes presenting challenges that mirror the broader population rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Forbes is largely Australian-born, at 95.2% of residents, with 2.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.3%) and English (30.7%). 9.0% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Forbes exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 89.3% of the population, 95.2% of residents born in Australia, and 97.6% using only English at home. The main religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 71.2% of local residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. With respect to parent birthplace, the largest groups in Forbes are Australian at 34.3%, English at 30.7%, and Irish at 9.5%. Specific ethnic demographics show distinct differences from broader patterns: Australian Aboriginal residents comprise 9.0% of the local population (compared to 4.6% regionally), Macedonian ancestry is at 0.1% (compared to 0.4% regionally), and French ancestry is at 0.4% (compared to 0.4% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Forbes is 43. 23.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age in Forbes is 43, matching the Regional NSW median of 43 and tracking higher than the national median of 38. The age distribution shows a high proportion of children aged 5 - 14 years (13.2%), whereas the 35 - 44 age cohort is smaller (10.5%) than the regional average. The proportion of young people aged 15 to 24 grew from 10.9% to 12.1% since the 2021 Census, while the 45 to 54 group dropped from 11.4% to 10.6%. Demographers project significant structural changes by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to increase by 29% (310 people) to reach 1,375 from 1,064, while the 55 to 64 group is projected to decrease by 1.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Forbes
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 227 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (10,020 at the 2021 Census → 10,032 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (103021065). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.