Bellingen

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

As per ABS population updates for the broader region and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Bellingen's population is estimated at approximately 4,020 as of February 2026. This reflects an increase of 97 individuals (2.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,923 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,909, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 87 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 90 persons per square kilometer, offering significant space per person and potential room for further development. Overseas migration was primarily responsible for driving population growth in the suburb during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, 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. Future population trends suggest lower quartile growth for non-metropolitan areas nationally, with the suburb expected to expand by 193 persons to reach a total of approximately 4,213 individuals by 2041, reflecting an increase of around 2.0% 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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Bellingen has experienced around 21 dwellings receiving development approval annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 106 homes between FY-21 and FY-25. So far in FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded. An average of 0.7 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built during this period.

New supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $514,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. Additionally, $2.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Bellingen records somewhat elevated construction activity, with 29.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period.

This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. New building activity shows 55.0% detached dwellings and 45.0% townhouses or apartments, expanding the range of medium-density options to create a mix of opportunities across price brackets. Bellingen's population growth is forecasted to gain 82 residents through to 2041, based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections. Bellingen shows characteristics of a low density area with around 129 people per dwelling approval.

Bellingen has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects potentially impacting the region: Retail & ShopTop Housing Development at Hyde Street, Bellingen; Watson Place Affordable Housing at Taylors Rise Estate; and Sewering Coastal Villages Project. These are key initiatives likely to be most relevant.

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Employment performance in Bellingen has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Bellingen's workforce is well-educated with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.1% as of December 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 3.3% over the past year, according to AreaSearch data aggregation. As of that month, 1,728 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.1% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation was lower at 57.2%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. Census responses indicated that 23.3% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Notably, health care & social assistance had employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence with 2.1% employment compared to 5.3% regionally.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as suggested by the Census working population vs resident population count. In the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 3.3%, and labour force increased by 3.1%, leading to a slight decrease in unemployment by 0.1 percentage points. This contrasted with Regional NSW where employment contracted by 1.2%, labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insights into potential future demand within Bellingen. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggest that national employment should 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 indicates local employment could increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

The suburb of Bellingen has an income level below the national average, according to AreaSearch data based on latest ATO figures for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Bellingen is $41,450, with an average income of $53,244. These figures compare to Regional NSW's median and average incomes of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $45,122 and the average $57,961, based on an 8.86% growth in wages since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census shows household, family, and personal incomes in Bellingen fall between the 18th and 19th percentiles nationally. Predominantly, 29.7% of locals (1,193 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually, mirroring surrounding regions where 29.9% also fall within this range. Housing affordability is severe in Bellingen, with only 82.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 17th percentile nationally. The suburb'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 (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bellingen was at 39.9%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (33.3%) or rented (26.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area, as of 2016 Census data, was $1,477, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $390. These figures contrast with Regional NSW's averages of $1,733 for mortgage repayments and $330 for rents. Nationally, Bellingen's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceed the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 the remaining 33.7%, with lone person households at 29.1% and group households comprising 4.4%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which matches the Regional NSW average.

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

Educational attainment in Bellingen is notable, with 32.4% of residents aged 15 years and over holding university qualifications compared to the SA4 region's 19.8% and Rest of NSW's 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.7%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 36.5% of residents aged 15 years and over holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 13.1% and certificates for 23.4%. Educational participation is high, with 34.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.8% in primary education, 11.0% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, 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

Bellingen has 62 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by 31 different routes that collectively provide 355 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from a resident's home to the nearest transport stop is 176 meters. In this primarily residential area, most residents commute outward using their cars, with car being the dominant mode of transport at 87%. Ten percent of residents walk to their destinations. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling in Bellingen, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 23.3% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 50 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 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 Bellingen residents have positive outcomes, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions. Common health issues are prevalent across all age groups. Private health cover is low at 48% (1,931 people), compared to Regional NSW's 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are most common, affecting 10.0% and 8.6% respectively. 67.7% report no medical ailments, higher than Regional NSW's 63.3%. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic conditions. The area has 23.9% seniors (960 people), with strong health outcomes among them, ranking 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 had a cultural diversity below average, with 88.0% citizens, 83.3% born in Australia, and 94.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 28.2%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.6%, compared to 0.1% regionally.

Top ancestry groups were English (31.3%), Australian (26.2%), and Irish (10.8%). Welsh was notably overrepresented at 0.8% versus 0.5% regionally, Scottish at 9.5% versus 8.0%, and Hungarian at 0.4% versus 0.2%.

Bellingen hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Bellingen's median age is 44 years, comparable to Regional NSW's 43 and higher than 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 (7.5%). Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 increased from 6.9% to 8.4%, while those aged 35 to 44 rose from 11.4% to 12.6%. Conversely, the proportions of residents aged 5 to 14 decreased from 16.4% to 13.7%, and those aged 55 to 64 dropped from 13.8% to 12.6%. By 2041, Bellingen's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 75 to 84 is projected to grow by 30%, reaching 440 from 337. Residents aged 65 and older are anticipated to represent 54% of the population growth, while both the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.