🔍

Dorrigo

NSW 2453 • Rest of NSW

1,214
Population (2021)
$48,100
Median Household Income
40.54 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricNational ParkTree-ChangeScenic

About Dorrigo

Dorrigo is a picturesque rural town situated on the Dorrigo Plateau in the New South Wales Mid North Coast hinterland, approximately 560 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of around 1,200, it sits at an elevation of roughly 750 metres above sea level within the Bellingen Shire. The town is known for its cool mountain climate, heritage streetscape, and proximity to Dorrigo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest.

The town centre features a charming collection of cafés, galleries, and local shops along Hickory Street, making it a popular stop for tourists exploring the Waterfall Way. Dorrigo attracts retirees, tree-changers, and creative types drawn to the peaceful lifestyle and stunning natural surroundings. The weekly Dorrigo Farmers Market and the nearby Dangar Falls are local highlights, and the area is well-regarded for its beef cattle farming and agriculture.

Dorrigo falls under postcode 2453 and is governed by Bellingen Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Oxley electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2453
Urban Area
Bellingen
LGA / Council
Bellingen
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.33°, 152.69°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
40.54 km²
Elevation
745m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$605K
25 sales · ▲ 2.5% 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)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
56 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.7%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 363 — Dorrigo to Coffs Harbour via Bellingen 75 min

Commute to Coffs Harbour

Distance
65 km
By Bus
75-90 min
By Car (Peak)
60-70 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-65 min

🛣️ No rail service; bus or car via Waterfall Way to Bellingen then Pacific Highway

Walkability Car-Dependent

The compact town centre is walkable, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs and travel to larger centres.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Yooroonah Tank Barrier
Waterfall Way, Ebor • SHR #01803
10 Class Steam Locomotives
2 Tallowood Street, dorrigo • SHR #00745

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Bellingen Local Government Area, which contains Dorrigo. 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
1,191
Census 2021
1,214
▲ 1.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,492
Personal Income 2021
$29,120
▲ 18.9% 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
$29,120 / yr
$560/wk
Household
$48,100 / yr
$925/wk
Family
$66,092 / yr
$1271/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 976
Born Overseas 148

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 57
  • 2. New Zealand 16
  • 3. Germany 14
  • 4. South Africa 8
  • 5. Wales 8
  • 6. Malaysia 6
  • 7. Philippines 6
  • 8. United States 6
  • 9. Ireland 5
  • 10. China 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 583
Australian 503
Irish 155
Scottish 135
German 62
Australian Aboriginal 59
Welsh 18
Chinese 16
Dutch 15
French 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

840
Both parents born in Australia
163
Both parents born overseas
129
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.0%
No Religion
42.5%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
55 (4.5%)
5-14 years
121 (10.0%)
15-19 years
52 (4.3%)
20-24 years
30 (2.5%)
25-34 years
87 (7.2%)
35-44 years
90 (7.4%)
45-54 years
141 (11.6%)
55-64 years
205 (16.9%)
65-74 years
202 (16.6%)
75-84 years
159 (13.1%)
85+ years
61 (5.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dorrigo known for? +

The town centre features a charming collection of cafés, galleries, and local shops along Hickory Street, making it a popular stop for tourists exploring the Waterfall Way.

How far is Dorrigo from Sydney CBD? +

Dorrigo is approximately 65 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 60-70 min in peak hour and 55-65 min off-peak.

Does Dorrigo have public transport? +

Bus services include 363, running to Dorrigo to Coffs Harbour via Bellingen in approximately 75 min.

What is the population of Dorrigo? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dorrigo has a population of 1,214 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Dorrigo a good place to live? +

Dorrigo is well-suited to a range of residents, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. Dorrigo attracts retirees, tree-changers, and creative types drawn to the peaceful lifestyle and stunning natural surroundings.

What is the postcode for Dorrigo? +

The postcode for Dorrigo is 2453. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Dorrigo? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Dorrigo is about $560 per week (around $29,100 per year). The median household income is $925 per week and the median family income is $1,271 per week.

What is the median house price in Dorrigo? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $605,000, up 2.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Dorrigo? +

The median age in Dorrigo is 56. The largest age group is 55–64 (205 residents, around 17%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 35% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Dorrigo a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dorrigo 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 Dorrigo? +

In Dorrigo, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).