🔍

Bellingen

NSW 2454 • Rest of NSW

3,923
Population (2021)
$65,936
Median Household Income
54.28 km²
Area
$390/wk
Median Rent
Arts & CultureHinterlandAlternative LifestyleHeritageNature

About Bellingen

Bellingen is a charming small town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, situated on the Bellinger River approximately 547 kilometres north of Sydney and 35 kilometres inland from Coffs Harbour. With a population of around 3,900, it serves as the council seat of Bellingen Shire. The median age of 44 reflects a mix of families, retirees, and creative professionals. The town is known for its alternative subculture, strong arts community, and a predominantly Australian-born population with English and Irish heritage.

Bellingen is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, organic markets, and boutique shops along the picturesque main street. The town hosts the popular Bellingen Global Carnival and Camp Creative festivals, drawing visitors from across the region. Surrounded by lush hinterland and World Heritage-listed rainforest in the Dorrigo National Park, it offers exceptional bushwalking, river swimming, and birdwatching. The monthly community markets, independent cafes, and heritage architecture attract tree-changers, artists, and families seeking a creative, environmentally conscious lifestyle away from the city.

Bellingen falls under postcode 2454 and is governed by Bellingen Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Oxley electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2454
Urban Area
Bellingen
LGA / Council
Bellingen
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.45°, 152.89°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
54.28 km²
Elevation
28m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Bellingen for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$825K
66 sales · ▼ 4.3% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$390
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,477
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.7%

19 state housing + 20 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Urunga (bus stop)
20 km
Nearest Coach stop on Pacific Highway

Bus Services

  • 361 — Coffs Harbour via Urunga 45-55 mins
  • 360 — Dorrigo via Bellingen 35 mins

Commute to Coffs Harbour

Distance
35 km
By Bus
45-55 mins
By Car (Peak)
30-35 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 mins

🛣️ No train service; most residents drive. NSW TrainLink coach services connect to Coffs Harbour and Sydney via Pacific Highway

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact town centre is walkable with shops, cafes, and markets; outer areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Bellingen, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Hammond and Wheatley Commercial Emporium
69-75 Hyde Street Bellingen • SHR #00186

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Bellingen Local Government Area, which contains Bellingen. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
271.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 6.2%
Motor vehicle theft
225.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Non-DV assault
466.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 6.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
7.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
286.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Bellingen →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,779
Census 2021
3,923
▲ 3.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,768
Personal Income 2021
$33,852
▲ 21.9% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$33,852 / yr
$651/wk
Household
$65,936 / yr
$1268/wk
Family
$79,820 / yr
$1535/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,029
Born Overseas 608

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 208
  • 2. New Zealand 70
  • 3. Germany 37
  • 4. South Africa 31
  • 5. Scotland 28
  • 6. Netherlands 27
  • 7. United States 25
  • 8. Canada 19
  • 9. France 15
  • 10. Ireland 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,728
Australian 1,450
Irish 595
Scottish 524
German 213
Australian Aboriginal 164
Dutch 96
Italian 96
Welsh 43
New Zealander 37

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,236
Both parents born in Australia
738
Both parents born overseas
643
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
61.0%
Christianity
25.0%
Buddhism
1.8%
Judaism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
183 (4.7%)
5-14 years
643 (16.4%)
15-19 years
276 (7.0%)
20-24 years
112 (2.9%)
25-34 years
295 (7.5%)
35-44 years
449 (11.4%)
45-54 years
565 (14.4%)
55-64 years
543 (13.8%)
65-74 years
487 (12.4%)
75-84 years
271 (6.9%)
85+ years
99 (2.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bellingen known for? +

Bellingen is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, organic markets, and boutique shops along the picturesque main street.

How far is Bellingen from Sydney CBD? +

Bellingen is approximately 35 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 30-35 mins in peak hour and 25-30 mins off-peak.

Does Bellingen have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Urunga (bus stop) (20 km away, approximately null walk) on the Nearest Coach stop on Pacific Highway. Bus services include 361, running to Coffs Harbour via Urunga in approximately 45-55 mins.

What is the population of Bellingen? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bellingen has a population of 3,923 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Bellingen a good place to live? +

Bellingen is well-suited to a range of residents, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The town hosts the popular Bellingen Global Carnival and Camp Creative festivals, drawing visitors from across the region.

What is the postcode for Bellingen? +

The postcode for Bellingen is 2454. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Bellingen? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bellingen is about $651 per week (around $33,900 per year). The median household income is $1,268 per week and the median family income is $1,535 per week.

What is the median house price in Bellingen? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $825,000, down 4.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Bellingen? +

The median age in Bellingen is 44. The largest age group is 5–14 (643 residents, around 16%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bellingen a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bellingen is part of the Bellingen LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Bellingen? +

In Bellingen, the median weekly rent is $390, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,477 (2021 Census).