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 analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of Nov 2025 the suburb of Bellingen's population is estimated at around 4,009. This reflects an increase of 86 people (2.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,923 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,923, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 86 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 89 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Bellingen's 2.2% growth since census positions it within 2.0 percentage points of the SA3 area (4.2%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which was essentially the sole driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, a population increase just below the median of Australian non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the area expected to expand by 196 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 2.8% in total over the 17 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 has seen approximately 22 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 112 homes. In FY-26 so far, nine approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per year due to new dwellings between FY-21 and FY-25 was 0.7 people. New supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average value of new dwellings is $514,000. In the current financial year, there have been $3.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited commercial development focus. Compared to the rest of NSW, Bellingen has experienced 36.0% higher construction activity per person over the past five years. New building activity consists of 57.0% detached dwellings and 43.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting an expanding range of medium-density options and a shift from the current housing mix, which is predominantly houses (93.0%).

Bellingen has around 123 people per dwelling approval, indicating low density characteristics. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Bellingen is expected to grow by 112 residents through to 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 moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects likely impacting the region: Retail & ShopTop Housing Development at Hyde Street, Bellingen; Watson Place Affordable Housing in Taylors Rise Estate; Sewering Coastal Villages Project. These are key initiatives with potential relevance to the area.

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Employment drivers in Bellingen are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Bellingen has an educated workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 5.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.5%.

As of June 2025, 1,711 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 2.1% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW at 56.4%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance has a particularly high concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 2.1% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 1.5%, labour force grew by 4.0%, resulting in a rise in unemployment by 2.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.1%, labour force grew by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bellingen's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

Bellingen's median income among taxpayers was $41,450 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $53,244 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of NSW which were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $46,677 (median) and $59,958 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Bellingen all fall between the 18th and 19th percentiles nationally. The data shows that the predominant cohort spans 29.7% of locals (1,190 people) with incomes in the $1,500 - 2,999 category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 17th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Bellingen is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Bellingen's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Non-Metro NSW's 78.4% houses and 21.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bellingen was at 39.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.3% and rented ones at 26.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,477, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in Bellingen was $390, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $370. 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 the remaining 33.7%, with lone person households at 29.1% and group households comprising 4.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of NSW.

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

Bellingen's educational attainment is notably high, with 32.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, surpassing the SA4 region average of 19.8% and the Rest of NSW average of 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 holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (13.1%) and certificates (23.4%). Educational participation is 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. Bellingen's four schools have a combined enrollment of 965 students, serving distinct age groups with balanced educational opportunities (ICSEA: 1023). The area functions as an education hub with 24.1 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 15.6, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Bellingen has 57 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by a mix of bus routes, totalling 29 individual routes. Collectively, these routes provide 333 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents located an average of 182 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 47 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Bellingen is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Bellingen faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~1,926 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are mental health issues impacting 10.0% of residents and arthritis affecting 8.6%. 67.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the Rest of NSW's 63.9%. There are 23.4% (938 people) of residents aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors in Bellingen perform 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's population showed lower cultural diversity, with 88.0% being citizens, 83.3% born in Australia, and 94.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 28.2%. Judaism, though small at 0.6%, was overrepresented compared to Rest of NSW's 0.1%.

The top ancestry groups were English (31.3%), Australian (26.2%), and Irish (10.8%). Notably, Welsh (0.8%) and Scottish (9.5%) groups were overrepresented in Bellingen compared to regional averages of 0.5% and 8.3%, respectively. Hungarian ancestry was also slightly higher at 0.4%.

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

Bellingen's median age is 44 years, similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Bellingen has a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (14.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.6%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 increased from 12.4% to 13.3%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5 to 14 declined from 16.4% to 14.2%, and the proportion of residents aged 55 to 64 dropped from 13.8% to 12.5%. By 2041, Bellingen's age composition is expected to shift notably. The number of residents aged 75 to 84 is projected to grow by 41%, reaching 442 from 312. This demographic aging trend continues as residents aged 65 and older represent 55% of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, both the 55 to 64 age group and the 15 to 24 age group are expected to see reduced numbers.