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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Lismore Heights is $692k, with units at $502k. House values have moved 4.5% 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.
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Sales Detail
Lismore Heights has an estimated 1,885 residents, down from 2,117 at the 2021 Census — a change of 232 people, or 11.0%. The population has thinned by an average 2.8% a year over five years, slower than 100% of areas nationally. That puts 1,025 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on analysis of ABS demographic reports for the region, alongside address updates verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Lismore Heights is estimated to house 1,885 residents as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 232 people (11.0%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the headcount was 2,117. This shift is derived from a local resident base of 1,875 calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP release and 1 validated new address registered since the Census. Such population numbers translate to a density of 1,024 persons per square kilometer, a figure that aligns closely with benchmarks across comparable areas.
Overseas migration was the primary driver of demographic gains, accounting for roughly 87.0% of overall population increases in recent times. Projections for each SA2 region published in 2024 (using 2022 as a baseline) by the ABS and Geoscience Australia are utilized by AreaSearch, supplemented by NSW State Government SA2 projections from 2022 (with a 2021 baseline) where necessary. Growth rates by age brackets from these datasets are applied to local areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Factoring in these expected demographic shifts over this timeframe, the suburb of Lismore Heights is projected to experience a net population decline of 203 persons by 2041. Conversely, select age brackets are expected to rise, particularly the cohort aged 25 to 34, which is projected to grow by 8 people. Refer to the age section for further details.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential construction activity is extremely quiet in Lismore Heights, averaging fewer than 1 dwelling approval per year, representing 4 dwellings in total over the five-year period. This low volume reflects the rural character of the locality, where building activity is generally prompted by specific household requirements rather than broader market forces. Given the minimal quantity of approvals, single developments can dramatically alter year-on-year trends and comparative metrics. Lismore Heights exhibits substantially less development activity than the Rest of NSW. Building volumes are similarly below national benchmarks. As the population is projected to shrink or hold steady, Lismore Heights is likely to experience less pressure on its housing stock, which may open up opportunities for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Lismore Heights
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 78 current infrastructure and development projects close to Lismore Heights, worth an estimated $3.53 billion. 19 are already under construction and 28 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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 infrastructure projects, major works, and municipal planning strategies are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 2 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Significant initiatives include the Lismore Flood Recovery and Resilience Program, East Lismore Medium Density Precincts, the Pineapple Road Sewerage Scheme, and the Goonellabah Affordable Housing Project situated on Bristol Circuit and Cynthia Wilson Drive, with details of the most relevant developments provided below.
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
Mount Pleasant Estate Resilient Lands Program
NSW Reconstruction Authority masterplanned subdivision in Goonellabah delivering flood-resilient housing under the Resilient Lands Program. The finalised masterplan comprises 18 land lots (559 to 1300 sqm), 6 one and two bedroom community title units, and 4 relocated and renovated character homes, totalling 28 housing options. Four buyback homes were relocated to the site during 2024 and renovated during 2025. The sales process for lots and relocated homes officially launched in June 2026, with flood-affected buyback participants given first access.Community title units remain in design and development and are expected to complete mid to late 2027.
Lismore Flood Recovery and Resilience Program
A comprehensive multi-year program rebuilding and strengthening Lismore's infrastructure following the catastrophic February-March 2022 floods. Delivered by Lismore City Council's Flood Restoration Portfolio in partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and funded through the federal Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, the program covers roads, bridges, landslips, public buildings, water systems, and flood mitigation infrastructure.
Points North Estate
A DA approved residential subdivision development on 73.9 hectares in the Northern Ridges of Goonellabah. The estate will offer 65 dwellings with breathtaking northerly views and is strategically located near shopping centres, schools, sporting facilities and amenities. The project includes an existing 3-bedroom home.
Wade Park Masterplan
Council-approved masterplan to progressively transform the 5.5-hectare Wade Park into a flood-resilient, inclusive recreation destination. Stage 1, comprising a new accessible amenities building, was completed and officially opened in August 2025. Remaining elements including the inclusive play space, sports courts, dog park, pathways, BBQ facilities and parking upgrades will be delivered progressively as grant funding is secured.
East Lismore Build-to-Rent Apartments
The project delivers around 50 build-to-rent apartments across mid-rise buildings, including at least 20 percent affordable rental housing for very low to moderate income households[cite: 1]. Developed by Landcom with builder FKG Group appointed for construction, the site provides long-term rental security in proximity to Southern Cross University and local amenities[cite: 1]. Site preparation and construction works commenced following contractor selection[cite: 1].
Airforce Road Residential Apartment Development
Proposed residential apartment development comprising 22 units across 2 floors with 44 car spaces. The development aims to provide additional housing options in East Lismore, a suburb recovering from the 2022 flood impacts. The site is designed to include modern residential facilities with adequate parking and amenities for future residents.
Eastwood Estate Goonellabah
Residential community developed by McCloy Group, offering 312 homesites across 57 hectares in Goonellabah near Lismore. Features include mature street trees, public art installations, children's playgrounds, cycleways, and recreational areas. Precinct One completed with ongoing sales, Precinct Two expansion to 176 additional lots approved in March 2025, addressing housing needs in the region.
East Lismore Medium Density Precincts
Strategic planning initiative identifying approximately 18 hectares of flood-free land in East Lismore, near St Vincent's Private Hospital and the Wyrallah Road shopping precinct, for future medium-density residential development. Arising from the Lismore Growth and Realignment Strategy adopted December 2022 in response to the catastrophic 2022 floods, the precinct aims to facilitate relocation of residents from high-risk flood areas, improve housing affordability and diversity, and support long-term post-disaster recovery. Climate-responsive design guidelines and updated LEP density controls are proposed.Separately, Lismore City Council and the NSW Reconstruction Authority are undertaking precinct planning for buyback land across East Lismore (and three other precincts), with non-residential community uses intended for that land; community engagement for the buyback precinct work commences mid-2026.
992 residents of Lismore Heights are employed, from a labour force of 1,026. Unemployment sits at 3.3%, with participation at 64.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,523, about 81% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Lismore Heights features a highly qualified labor force with strong representation in essential service fields, a low unemployment rate of 3.3%, and an estimated employment expansion of 4.0% over the last year, according to AreaSearch data compilations. In March 2026992 residents were employed, while the local unemployment rate sat 0.8% below the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%. Participation in the labor force is typical at 64.7%, compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census data indicates a moderate 14.0% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 lockdowns.
Local employment is heavily weighted toward health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The suburb demonstrates a pronounced specialization in health care & social assistance, employing residents at 1.5 times the regional average rate. In contrast, construction has a smaller footprint, accounting for 6.9% of employment compared to 9.7% regionally. This primarily residential suburb appears to offer few local jobs, as highlighted by the discrepancy between the Census working population and resident counts. Based on AreaSearch research using SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader regions, the 12-month period saw local employment rise by 4.0% and the labor force expand by 4.3%, causing unemployment to tick up by 0.3 percentage points. By comparison, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% decrease in employment, a 0.4% contraction in the workforce, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context on future opportunities in Lismore Heights. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. Locally, employment is projected to grow by 7.0% over five years and 14.6% over ten years based on these industry trends, which compare to national forecasts of 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Note that this is a basic weighted projection for illustration and does not incorporate local demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Lismore Heights is $1,294 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $742 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $48,669 a year against an average of $62,295. 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 suburb of Lismore Heights's income level is below the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The suburb of Lismore Heights's median income among taxpayers is $48,669 and the average income stands at $62,295, which compares to figures for Regional NSW's of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $53,692 (median) and $68,724 (average) as of March 2026. According to 2021 Census figures, personal income ranks at the 37th percentile ($742 weekly), while household income sits at the 19th percentile.
Income brackets indicate the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 32.5% of residents (612 people), mirroring the region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 19th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Lismore Heights had 923 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 75% detached houses and 4% apartments. 34% are owned with a mortgage, 32% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $338 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,404 a month. Rent absorbs 26.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential architecture in Lismore Heights at the most recent Census consisted of 74.8% standalone houses and 25.1% alternative options like townhouses and apartments, compared to Regional NSW where houses made up 82.6% and other dwellings accounted for 17.4%. Home ownership in Lismore Heights trailed the regional average at 34.1%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (33.8%) or occupied by tenants (32.0%). The median monthly mortgage cost of $1,404 was significantly lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while weekly rent was slightly higher at $338 compared to the regional median of $330.
On a national level, mortgage repayments in Lismore Heights are much cheaper than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent is below the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Lismore Heights counted 923 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 89% of areas nationally, against 25% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of homes at 60.1%, consisting of 19.2% couples raising children, 24.5% couples without children, and 15.0% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 39.9%, with single-person households representing 35.3% and shared households making up 4.7%. The typical household size of 2.2 individuals sits below the Regional NSW median of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
29.6% of adults in Lismore Heights hold a university qualification, including 18.8% with a bachelor degree and 7.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 26.2% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 199 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 972 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
The education metrics of this community are prominent within the region, with tertiary qualification rates sitting at 29.6% of residents aged 15 and over, which is higher than the SA3 average of 20.9% and the Rest of NSW rate of 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 18.8%, followed by post-graduate degrees at 7.5% and graduate diplomas at 3.3%. Vocational training is also common, with 37.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 26.2%. Learning engagement is quite strong in the community, with 28.6% of residents currently attending an educational institution.
This population includes 8.4% in high school, 8.3% in primary school, and 5.2% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Lismore Heights reaches 61 stops on 25 routes, timetabled for about 380 services a week. The typical home sits about 100 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.1 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
Public transport infrastructure comprises 61 active stops throughout Lismore Heights, providing bus connections. These stops accommodate 25 distinct routes that offer a total of 384 passenger trips each week. Transport access is highly rated, with the typical resident living 98 meters from their nearest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, most workers travel out of the suburb, and private vehicles are the primary mode of travel for 95% of commuters. Household car ownership stands at 1.1 vehicles per home, which is below the regional median. Approximately 14.0% of the workforce operated from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been impacted by pandemic conditions.
Service frequency averages 54 runs per day across all local routes, which represents approximately 6 weekly services for each individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.3% of residents in Lismore Heights report no long-term health condition. 7.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Lismore Heights faces notable health issues, according to AreaSearch indicators tracking mortality and chronic illnesses, with medical issues showing up across younger and older demographics. Furthermore, the rate of residents holding private health coverage is low, sitting at approximately 52% of the population, which represents about 972 people. Psychological health concerns and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 13.5% and 10.2% of the population. Meanwhile, 59.3% of residents reported having no chronic health issues, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The workforce cohort shows significant health vulnerabilities with higher rates of chronic illness, and the area contains 21.4% of residents aged 65 and over (403 people), which is below the Regional NSW average of 23.4%.
Local health rankings relative to national statistics are even higher than those of the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Lismore Heights is largely Australian-born, at 88.7% of residents, with 6.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.2%) and Australian (26.3%). 4.3% 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
Lismore Heights displays lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with 88.7% of residents born in Australia, 91.3% holding citizenship, and 93.2% using only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 47.9% of the population. The most notable statistical variation is in the Other category, which accounts for 1.9% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW. The primary ancestral backgrounds reported are English at 30.2%, Australian at 26.3%, and Irish at 11.8%. Other ethnic representation highlights include French heritage at 0.8% of the local population (compared to 0.4% regionally), Russian heritage at 0.4% (compared to 0.2%), and Australian Aboriginal heritage at 4.3% (compared to 4.6% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Lismore Heights is 43. 24.0% 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 of 43 in the suburb of Lismore Heights matches the regional average of 43 and sits significantly above the national median of 38. Residents aged 55 to 64 are highly represented at 14.1%, while children aged 5 to 14 make up a smaller portion of the community at 10.5% compared to Regional NSW. Since the 2021 Census, children aged 0 to 4 increased from 4.4% to 5.5% of the total population, while the group aged 5 to 14 shrank from 11.8% to 10.5% and the 45 to 54 bracket fell from 13.2% to 12.0%.
Looking toward 2041, demographic models point to major changes in the age mix. The cohort aged 85 and over is projected to grow by 4% (2 people) to reach 57 from a base of 54. Combined senior brackets aged 65 and over will account for 62% of overall population growth, illustrating the local aging trend, whereas the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 groups are forecast to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Lismore Heights
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 Suburb (SAL) 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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 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 — 1 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,117 at the 2021 Census → 1,885 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 (SAL12354). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.