🔍

Bowenfels

NSW 2790 • Rest of NSW

2,049
Population (2021)
$47,684
Median Household Income
21.83 km²
Area
$185/wk
Median Rent
EstablishedRuralAffordableHistoricCommuter Belt

About Bowenfels

Bowenfels is an urban locality within the City of Lithgow, situated on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales at an elevation of approximately 1,000 metres, around 140 kilometres west of Sydney. With a population of 2,049, it forms part of the broader Lithgow urban area, characterised by a mix of older heritage homes and modest residential housing typical of a regional industrial town. The median age of 41 and a weekly household income of around $917 reflect an established working-class community with deep local roots; more than 11 per cent of residents identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Bowenfels sits adjacent to Lithgow's town centre, giving residents easy access to supermarkets, local schools, medical services, and cafes along Main Street. Lithgow railway station, on the Blue Mountains Main Western Line, provides regular services to Sydney's Central Station, making the suburb accessible despite its remote tablelands setting. The area's industrial heritage — including former coal mining and steelworks — gives it a gritty character, while nearby Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park and the dramatic sandstone escarpments of the Blue Mountains offer distinctive recreational opportunities.

Bowenfels falls under postcode 2790 and is governed by Lithgow Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bathurst electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 NSW Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2790
Urban Area
Lithgow
LGA / Council
Lithgow
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Bathurst
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.48°, 150.11°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
21.83 km²
Elevation
1004m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$515K
28 sales · ▲ 17% 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)
$185
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,560
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
41 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
31.8%

234 state housing + 6 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Lithgow
1.5 km
18 min

Bus Services

  • Lithgow Bus Service — Lithgow town centre and surrounds 5-15 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
140 km
By Train
Approx. 2h 40 min to Central via Blue Mountains Line
By Car (Peak)
1h 45 min – 2h 15 min via Great Western Hwy / M4
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 40 min – 1h 55 min

🛣️ Train is the practical option for CBD commutes; Great Western Highway connects to the M4 motorway

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Most daily errands can be done on foot given proximity to Lithgow town centre, though a car is needed for larger shopping trips

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 5 heritage-listed places in or near Bowenfels, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Bowenfels Rail Viaducts
Main Western Railway Bowenfels • SHR #01028
Bowenfels National School Site
70 Mudgee Street Old Bowenfels • SHR #00761
Fernhill
Great Western Highway, Bowenfels • SHR #00225
Bowenfels Railway Station and Stationmaster's House
Main Western railway, Bowenfels • SHR #00475
Marrangaroo railway viaduct
Main Western railway, Marrangaroo • SHR #01046

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
308.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 7.5%
Motor vehicle theft
178.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
564.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
4.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
212.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Lithgow →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,048
Census 2021
2,049
▲ 0.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$22,984
Personal Income 2021
$25,844
▲ 12.4% 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
$25,844 / yr
$497/wk
Household
$47,684 / yr
$917/wk
Family
$69,576 / yr
$1338/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,599
Born Overseas 172

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 36
  • 2. New Zealand 17
  • 3. Philippines 15
  • 4. India 11
  • 5. China 8
  • 6. Italy 8
  • 7. Germany 7
  • 8. Malta 6
  • 9. Nepal 6
  • 10. Canada 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 846
English 765
Irish 205
Scottish 200
Australian Aboriginal 189
German 50
Italian 20
Filipino 17
Lebanese 15
Chinese 13

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,410
Both parents born in Australia
211
Both parents born overseas
153
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.2%
No Religion
33.4%
Hinduism
0.8%
Sikhism
0.4%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
117 (5.7%)
5-14 years
313 (15.3%)
15-19 years
137 (6.7%)
20-24 years
101 (4.9%)
25-34 years
206 (10.1%)
35-44 years
217 (10.6%)
45-54 years
274 (13.4%)
55-64 years
253 (12.3%)
65-74 years
209 (10.2%)
75-84 years
151 (7.4%)
85+ years
71 (3.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bowenfels known for? +

Bowenfels is known as part of the Lithgow urban area, a historic industrial town on the Central Tablelands with ties to coal mining and steelmaking. It sits on the doorstep of the Blue Mountains and offers a quiet, affordable lifestyle close to Lithgow's town centre.

How far is Bowenfels from Sydney CBD? +

Bowenfels is approximately 140 kilometres west of Sydney CBD, around 1 hour 45 minutes by car via the Great Western Highway and M4 motorway, or roughly 2 hours 40 minutes by train on the Blue Mountains Line.

Does Bowenfels have public transport? +

Lithgow railway station, about 1.5 km away, provides Blue Mountains Line services to Sydney's Central Station. Local bus services connect Bowenfels to Lithgow town centre and surrounding areas.

What is the population of Bowenfels? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bowenfels has a population of 2,049 residents. The community has a notable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of around 239 people, representing 11.7 per cent of residents.

Is Bowenfels a good place to live? +

Bowenfels suits those seeking affordable regional living with access to nature. It offers a tight-knit community atmosphere and proximity to the Blue Mountains, though limited local employment means many residents commute or work in Lithgow's service and industrial sectors.

What is the postcode for Bowenfels? +

The postcode for Bowenfels is 2790, which it shares with Lithgow and several surrounding localities.

What is the average income in Bowenfels? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bowenfels is about $497 per week (around $25,800 per year). The median household income is $917 per week and the median family income is $1,338 per week.

What is the median house price in Bowenfels? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $515,000, up 17% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Bowenfels? +

The median age in Bowenfels is 41. The largest age group is 5–14 (313 residents, around 15%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bowenfels a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bowenfels is part of the Lithgow 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 Bowenfels? +

In Bowenfels, the median weekly rent is $185, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,560 (2021 Census).