Braidwood

NSW 2622 • Rest of NSW

1,720
Population (2021)
$73,424
Median Household Income
234.62 km²
Area
$345/wk
Median Rent
HistoricHeritageRuralQuietRetiree-Haven

About Braidwood

Braidwood is a historic rural town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, situated 91 kilometres east of Canberra and approximately 325 kilometres south of Sydney within the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council area. Perched at 687 metres above sea level, the town has a population of 1,720 with a notably mature median age of 50, reflecting its appeal to retirees, tree-changers, and established long-term residents. The town covers a substantial 234.6 square kilometres of rolling tablelands country and is characterised by its well-preserved 19th-century streetscapes, including the heritage-listed Braidwood Courthouse built in 1901.

Braidwood is widely regarded as one of New South Wales' best-preserved colonial towns, with a thriving arts and culture scene, boutique galleries, antique shops, and local cafés lining the heritage main street. The town is a popular weekend destination for Canberrans seeking a historic escape, and its cool-climate setting, farmers' markets, and community events give it a vibrant small-town character year-round. Its position on the Kings Highway means Braidwood is well-connected to both Canberra (91 km) and the South Coast at Batemans Bay (62 km), making it an appealing lifestyle choice for those who value history, community, and open countryside.

Braidwood falls under postcode 2622 and is governed by Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Monaro electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2622
Urban Area
Snowy - Monaro
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.43°, 149.81°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
234.62 km²
Elevation
687m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$720K
49 sales · ▼ 10% 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)
$345
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,700
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.4%

3 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach — Canberra and Batemans Bay 1.5-2 hr to Canberra / 1-1.5 hr to Batemans Bay

Commute to Canberra CBD (Civic)

Distance
91 km
By Train
No direct train; NSW TrainLink coach connects to Canberra with limited daily services
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 10 min - 1 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr - 1 hr 10 min

🛣️ Kings Highway connects Braidwood to Canberra (91 km) and Batemans Bay (62 km); car is the primary transport mode

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The heritage main street and town centre are very walkable, but a car is needed for most errands beyond the compact village core

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 10 heritage-listed places in or near Braidwood, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

119 Wallace Street, Braidwood • SHR #00304
Monkitee Street, Braidwood • SHR #00017
Mayfield Road, Larbert • SHR #01357
Charleyong Road, Mayfield • SHR #01374
Wallace Street, Braidwood • SHR #00434
Wallace Street, Braidwood • SHR #00149
Various, Braidwood • SHR #01749
(not given), Mongarlowe • SHR #00288
Mayfield Road, Lower Boro • SHR #01365
Monga • SHR #02074

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
154.1 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
127.1 / 100k
Non-DV assault
279.7 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
Steal from vehicle
215.4 / 100k

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,651
Census 2021
1,720
4.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,460
Personal Income 2021
$40,352
28.3% 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
$40,352 / yr
$776/wk
Household
$73,424 / yr
$1412/wk
Family
$103,584 / yr
$1992/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,342
Born Overseas 211

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 72
  • 2. New Zealand 17
  • 3. France 10
  • 4. Scotland 10
  • 5. Philippines 8
  • 6. United States 8
  • 7. Wales 7
  • 8. Canada 6
  • 9. South Africa 6
  • 10. Thailand 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 751
Australian 668
Irish 297
Scottish 240
German 68
Australian Aboriginal 27
Dutch 27
Italian 27
French 24
Welsh 21

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,083
Both parents born in Australia
259
Both parents born overseas
211
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.0%
No Religion
40.8%
Buddhism
0.7%
Judaism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
83 (4.8%)
5-14 years
191 (11.1%)
15-19 years
69 (4.0%)
20-24 years
63 (3.7%)
25-34 years
163 (9.5%)
35-44 years
183 (10.6%)
45-54 years
216 (12.6%)
55-64 years
248 (14.4%)
65-74 years
243 (14.1%)
75-84 years
212 (12.3%)
85+ years
56 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Braidwood known for? +

Braidwood is one of New South Wales' best-preserved colonial towns, celebrated for its heritage streetscapes, 19th-century architecture including the 1901 Courthouse, and a thriving arts and culture scene with galleries, antique shops, and boutique cafés. It is a popular weekend destination for Canberrans and visitors travelling between Canberra and the South Coast.

How far is Braidwood from Canberra? +

Braidwood is approximately 91 kilometres east of the Canberra CBD, a drive of around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes via the Kings Highway. It is approximately 325 kilometres from Sydney, around 4 hours by car.

Does Braidwood have public transport? +

Braidwood is served by NSW TrainLink coach services connecting to Canberra and Batemans Bay, with limited daily departures. There is no rail service; the nearest train stations are in Canberra (91 km) or Goulburn (approximately 97 km). A car is the most practical way to get around.

What is the population of Braidwood? +

According to the 2021 Census, Braidwood has a population of 1,720 residents. The town has a notably mature demographic with a median age of 50, reflecting its strong appeal to retirees and tree-changers seeking a heritage lifestyle in the Southern Tablelands.

Is Braidwood a good place to live? +

Braidwood is an excellent choice for those who value heritage character, close-knit community life, and a cool-climate rural lifestyle within driving distance of Canberra and the South Coast. It particularly suits retirees, artists, and families who embrace a regional pace of life and car-dependent transport.

What is the postcode for Braidwood? +

The postcode for Braidwood, New South Wales is 2622.

What is the average income in Braidwood? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Braidwood is about $776 per week (around $40,400 per year). The median household income is $1,412 per week and the median family income is $1,992 per week.

What is the median house price in Braidwood? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $720,000, down 10% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Braidwood? +

The median age in Braidwood is 50. The largest age group is 55–64 (248 residents, around 14%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 30% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Braidwood a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Braidwood is part of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional 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 Braidwood? +

In Braidwood, the median weekly rent is $345, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,700 (2021 Census).