🔍

Byron Bay

NSW 2481 • Rest of NSW

6,330
Population (2021)
$81,172
Median Household Income
19.07 km²
Area
$600/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideTourist HubMulticulturalCafé Culture

About Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a celebrated coastal township on New South Wales' Far North Coast, situated within Byron Shire approximately 800 kilometres north of Sydney and 30 kilometres south of the Queensland border. With a population of around 6,330 residents spread across nearly 19 square kilometres, it remains one of Australia's most iconic beach destinations while also home to a vibrant permanent community. The median age of 39 reflects a mix of long-term locals, sea-changers, and an established creative class, and the median household income of $1,561 per week speaks to a town that balances its laid-back image with a thriving local economy.

Byron Bay is renowned for its beaches — most famously Main Beach and the lighthouse at Cape Byron, Australia's most easterly point — as well as a lively café and dining scene along Jonson Street. The town has a distinctly international flavour, with residents from Brazil, Germany, France, the United States, and across the globe drawn by the surf culture, yoga studios, and music festivals including the iconic Bluesfest. An unusually high proportion of residents identify with no religion (around 59%), reflecting the progressive, free-spirited cultural identity that sets Byron Bay apart from most Australian regional towns.

Byron Bay falls under postcode 2481 and is governed by Byron Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ballina electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2481
Urban Area
Byron
LGA / Council
Byron
Federal Electorate
Richmond
State Electorate
Ballina
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.65°, 153.60°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
19.07 km²
Elevation
13m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$2.48M
72 sales · ▲ 1% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.38M
120 sales · ▲ 2% 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)
$600
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5%

49 state housing + 69 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW Bus routes — Sydney CBD or nearest regional centre Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
800 km
By Train
Check Transport for NSW for current train services
By Car (Peak)
2400-3200 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1600-2000 min

🛣️ Check Transport for NSW (transportnsw.info) for current public transport options.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Byron Bay requires a car for most daily errands, though some local amenities may be accessible on foot.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    106 Jonson Street Byron Bay 2481 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Byron Bay, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Byron Bay Railway Station and yard group
Casino-Murwillumbah railway • SHR #01107
Cape Byron Lightstation (including moveable items)
Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay • SHR #02023

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
240.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
293.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 5.6%
Non-DV assault
682.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
5.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
465.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.6%
View all 62 offence types for Byron →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,521
Census 2021
6,330
▲ 14.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$32,292
Personal Income 2021
$41,860
▲ 29.6% 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
$41,860 / yr
$805/wk
Household
$81,172 / yr
$1561/wk
Family
$105,508 / yr
$2029/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

⚖️ Compare Byron Bay With

🏘️Noosa Heads
View comparison →🏘️Avalon Beach
View comparison →

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,846
Born Overseas 1,892

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 383
  • 2. New Zealand 161
  • 3. Brazil 111
  • 4. United States 102
  • 5. Germany 96
  • 6. France 90
  • 7. Italy 88
  • 8. Japan 65
  • 9. Canada 45
  • 10. Netherlands 44

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,432
Australian 1,644
Irish 921
Scottish 696
German 393
Italian 372
Spanish 155
French 149
Dutch 126
Australian Aboriginal 113

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,765
Both parents born in Australia
2,091
Both parents born overseas
865
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
58.9%
Christianity
24.8%
Buddhism
2.4%
Judaism
1.2%
Hinduism
0.5%
Islam
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
226 (3.6%)
5-14 years
483 (7.6%)
15-19 years
226 (3.6%)
20-24 years
365 (5.8%)
25-34 years
1,375 (21.7%)
35-44 years
961 (15.2%)
45-54 years
737 (11.6%)
55-64 years
810 (12.8%)
65-74 years
760 (12.0%)
75-84 years
297 (4.7%)
85+ years
93 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Byron Bay known for? +

Byron Bay is renowned for its beaches — most famously Main Beach and the lighthouse at Cape Byron, Australia's most easterly point — as well as a lively café and dining scene along Jonson Street.

How far is Byron Bay from Sydney CBD? +

Byron Bay is located in NSW 2481. For specific distances to the CBD, refer to local mapping services.

Does Byron Bay have public transport? +

Public transport options vary. Check Transport for NSW (transportnsw.info) for current routes and timetables.

What is the population of Byron Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Byron Bay has a population of 6,330 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Byron Bay a good place to live? +

Byron Bay is well-suited to a range of residents, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The town has a distinctly international flavour, with residents from Brazil, Germany, France, the United States, and across the globe drawn by the surf culture, yoga studios, and music festivals including the iconic Bluesfest.

What is the postcode for Byron Bay? +

The postcode for Byron Bay is 2481. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Byron Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Byron Bay is about $805 per week (around $41,900 per year). The median household income is $1,561 per week and the median family income is $2,029 per week.

What is the median house price in Byron Bay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $2,475,000, up 1% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,377,500, up 2% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Byron Bay? +

The median age in Byron Bay is 39. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,375 residents, around 22%). Around 15% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Byron Bay a safe area? +

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

In Byron Bay, the median weekly rent is $600, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).