Bellingen

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

Based on ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of May 2026, Bellingen's estimated population is around 3,971. This reflects an increase of 48 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,923. The change was inferred from the resident population of 3,956, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, and an additional 87 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 89 persons per square kilometer. Bellingen's 1.2% growth since census positions it within 2.5 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.7%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends indicate a population increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation, with the suburb expected to grow by 177 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 4.1% in total over the 16 years.

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

Bellingen recorded approximately 21 residential properties granted approval annually based on AreaSearch analysis. Around 106 homes were approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with 17 more approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 0.5 new residents arrived per year for each new home during these years.

This indicates that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new properties was approximately $514,000, demonstrating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, there have been around $2.7 million in commercial approvals, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Bellingen shows moderately higher development activity, at 30.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years.

This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. New development consists of approximately 55.0% standalone homes and 45.0% attached dwellings, showing an expanding range of medium-density options that create a mix of opportunities across price brackets, from traditional family housing to more affordable compact alternatives. This reflects a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is currently around 93.0% houses. Bellingen has approximately 128 people per dwelling approval, indicating characteristics of a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Bellingen is expected to grow by about 162 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Bellingen has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects likely affecting the region. Key projects are Retail & ShopTop Housing Development at Hyde Street, Bellingen; Watson Place Affordable Housing at Taylors Rise Estate; 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.

Employment conditions in Bellingen remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Bellingen has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.0% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.1%.

Residents in work numbered 1,720 while the unemployment rate was 1.1% above Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was somewhat below standard at 55.8%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. A moderate 23.3% of residents worked from home according to Census responses, with Covid-19 lockdown impacts considered. Leading employment industries among residents comprised health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.

The area had particular employment specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented at 2.1% of Bellingen's workforce compared to 5.3% in Regional NSW. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally based on Census working population vs resident population data. During the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 3.1% and labour force increased by 3.0%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasted with Regional NSW where employment contracted by 1.2%, the labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offered further insight into potential future demand within Bellingen. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, were mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. National employment was forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Bellingen's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, noting this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that median income in Bellingen is $41,450 and average income stands at $53,244. This contrasts with Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates as of March 2026 would be approximately $45,728 (median) and $58,739 (average). Census 2021 income data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Bellingen fall between the 18th and 19th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 29.7% of residents earn $1,500 - $2,999 weekly, mirroring metropolitan regions where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 17th percentile nationally. Bellingen's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th 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 latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. This is compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bellingen was at 39.9%, similar to Regional NSW's level, with the rest of dwellings either mortgaged (33.3%) or rented (26.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bellingen was $1,477, lower than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Bellingen was recorded at $390, higher than Regional NSW's figure of $330. Nationally, Bellingen's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Bellingen features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 66.3% of all households, including 25.1% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 16.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for 33.7%, with lone person households at 29.1% and group households comprising 4.4%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the Regional NSW average.

Bellingen shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Bellingen has a high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above. A total of 32.4% have university qualifications, which is higher than the SA4 region's 19.8% and Rest of NSW's 21.3%. The area's most common university qualifications are bachelor degrees (21.2%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.7%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 36.5% of residents holding them.

Advanced diplomas account for 13.1%, while certificates make up 23.4%. Educational participation is notably high in Bellingen, with 34.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.8% in primary education, 11.0% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transportation in Bellingen shows that there are 62 active transport stops currently operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 31 individual routes providing service to these locations. Together, these routes facilitate 355 weekly passenger trips across the region. The accessibility of public transportation in Bellingen is rated as excellent, with residents typically residing only 176 meters away from their nearest transport stop. In this primarily residential area, most residents commute outward for work or other purposes. The dominant mode of transportation among these residents is the car, used by 87% of them.

A significant portion, 10%, opt to walk instead. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles owned per dwelling in Bellingen, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census data, 23.3% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages out to approximately 50 trips per day, resulting in about 5 weekly trips per individual stop.

Bellingen's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data shows positive outcomes for Bellingen residents. Mortality rates and health conditions align with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover is low at 48% of the total population (1,908 people), compared to Regional NSW's 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, affecting 10.0% and 8.6% of residents respectively. 67.7% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to Regional NSW's 63.3%. Working-age residents have an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 24.5% of residents aged 65 and over (972 people), higher than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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 low cultural diversity with 88.0% citizens, 83.3% born in Australia, and 94.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 28.2%. Judaism showed an overrepresentation of 0.6%, compared to Regional NSW's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.3%), Australian (26.2%), and Irish (10.8%). Notable divergences included Welsh at 0.8% (regional: 0.5%), Scottish at 9.5% (regional: 8.0%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (regional: 0.2%).

Bellingen hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Bellingen's median age is 44 years, similar to Regional NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Bellingen has a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (14.5%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (6.8%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.9% to 8.6%, while the 35 to 44 cohort has risen from 11.4% to 12.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 16.4% to 13.8%. By 2041, Bellingen's population is expected to shift significantly in terms of age composition. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 33%, reaching 455 people from the current 341. This demographic aging trend will continue as residents aged 65 and older represent 55% of the anticipated growth. Conversely, both the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.