Lismore Surrounds

Lismore Surrounds has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Lismore Surrounds' population is 16,208 as of February 2026. This figure shows an increase of 422 people, a 2.7% rise from the 2021 Census count of 15,786. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 16,091 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since then. This results in a density ratio of 13.1 persons per square kilometer. Lismore Surrounds' growth exceeded the SA3 area's 0.6% increase since the 2021 Census, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 55.6% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year. For uncovered areas, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a 2021 base year are used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, an increase of 2,179 persons is projected, reflecting a 12.7% total increase over the 17-year period.

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

Lismore Surrounds has received approximately 51 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 258 homes. As of FY-26, 18 approvals have been recorded. This results in an average of 1.9 new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction value for these dwellings is $285,000.

In the current financial year, $2.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to Rest of NSW, Lismore Surrounds has experienced 15.0% higher construction activity per person over the past five years. However, development activity has moderated recently. New developments consist of 95.0% standalone homes and 5.0% townhouses or apartments.

The estimated population density is 564 people per dwelling approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Lismore Surrounds is projected to gain 2,062 residents by 2041. Construction pace is maintaining with projected growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as the population grows.

Lismore Surrounds has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 49 projects likely to affect the region. Notable ones include North Lismore Plateau Urban Subdivision (Allura Parklands), Northern Rivers Rail Trail - Lismore to Bentley, Goonellabah Affordable Housing Project - Bristol Circuit & Cynthia Wilson Drive, and Pineapple Road Sewerage Scheme. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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.

While Lismore Surrounds retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.5%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Lismore Surrounds has an educated workforce with prominent essential services sectors. As of September 2025, its unemployment rate is 3.5%. In comparison to Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%, Lismore Surrounds' rate is 0.4% lower.

Workforce participation stands at 63.7%, slightly higher than the regional average of 61.5%. Census data shows that 23.7% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and education & training. Notably, agriculture, forestry & fishing has an employment level 2.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, public administration & safety shows lower representation at 4.2% compared to the regional average of 7.5%. An analysis of SALM and ABS data for a 12-month period reveals that Lismore Surrounds' labour force decreased by 2.4%, while employment declined by 1.8%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW, where employment contracted by 0.5%, the labour force fell by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lismore Surrounds' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, Lismore Surrounds SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $46,706 and an average of $55,759. These figures are lower than the national averages. Comparing to Rest of NSW, Lismore Surrounds' median was $12,684 less ($52,390) and its average was $9,456 less ($65,215). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year ending June 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $50,844 (median) and $60,699 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Lismore Surrounds rank modestly, between the 29th and 34th percentiles. The earnings profile indicates that the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 31.3% of residents (5,073 people). Housing costs are manageable with 86.8% retained, but disposable income is below average at the 38th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

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

In Lismore Surrounds, as per the latest Census evaluation, 96.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's figures of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lismore Surrounds stood at 48.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.3% and rented ones at 15.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $334, slightly higher than Non-Metro NSW's figure of $330. Nationally, Lismore Surrounds' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $334 against the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 73.2% of all households, including 28.8% couples with children, 33.0% couples without children, and 10.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.8%, with lone person households at 22.7% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 28.9%, exceeding the SA3 area average of 20.9% and that of Rest of NSW at 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 19.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas at 11.9% and certificates at 27.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.4% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 3.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Lismore Surrounds has 952 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 97 different routes that together facilitate 1,103 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is considered excellent, with residents typically residing just 174 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential region, most commuters travel outward, primarily by car (94%), while 4% walk. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 23.7% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The average service frequency across all routes is 157 trips per day, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop. A map accompanies this data, illustrating the 100 nearest stops to the location's centerpoint.

The level of general health in Lismore Surrounds is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Lismore Surrounds shows superior health outcomes according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 47% (~7,682 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 8.6% and 8.5% of residents respectively. 68.4% report no medical ailments, higher than Rest of NSW's 63.3%. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are generally typical. The area has a senior population (aged 65 and over) of 22.6% (~3,656 people), with strong health outcomes ranking even better than the general population nationally.

Lismore Surrounds is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Lismore Surrounds had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 87.8% of its residents being Australian citizens, 87.3% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English at home as their only language. Christianity was the predominant religion in Lismore Surrounds, comprising 44.6% of the population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to the rest of NSW, with 0.2% of Lismore Surrounds' population identifying as Jewish, compared to 0.1% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (30.6%), Australian (28.7%), and Irish (11.1%). There were also notable differences in the representation of Scottish (9.7% vs regional 8.0%), French (0.6% vs regional 0.4%), and German (3.7% vs regional 3.1%) ancestry groups.

Lismore Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Lismore Surrounds has a median age of 47 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that the 45-54 year-olds are particularly prominent at 14.9%, while the 25-34 year-olds make up only 7.9% of the population, which is comparatively smaller than in Rest of NSW. Between January 2021 and January 2022, the percentage of the population aged 75 to 84 grew from 4.8% to 6.3%. Conversely, the percentage of those aged 55 to 64 declined from 18.0% to 15.7%. By June 2041, Lismore Surrounds is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 75-84 year-old group is projected to grow by 43%, adding 438 people and reaching a total of 1,461 from the previous count of 1,022. Meanwhile, the 65-74 year-old cohort is expected to decline by 1 person.