🔍

Forbes

NSW 2871 • Rest of NSW

8,157
Population (2021)
$63,492
Median Household Income
1082.12 km²
Area
$230/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRuralAffordableRiversideRegional Hub

About Forbes

Forbes is a historic country town in the Central West region of New South Wales, located on the banks of the Lachlan River approximately 374 kilometres west of Sydney. With a population of around 8,160, it is one of the larger towns in the region and serves as the seat of the Forbes Shire Council. Established during the gold rush of 1861, the town is named after Sir Francis Forbes, the first Chief Justice of NSW. Forbes has a predominantly Australian-born population with a strong agricultural and rural character.

Forbes offers a relaxed regional lifestyle with a rich heritage reflected in its beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture including the 1880 courthouse and Federation-style buildings. The town hosts popular annual events including the Forbes Show and the Lachlan Vintage Village Festival. Lake Forbes provides recreational opportunities, while McFeeters Motor Museum and the Ben Hall bushranger history draw tourists. The main street features a good range of shops, cafes, supermarkets, and services. Families and tree-changers are attracted by affordable housing, strong community bonds, and proximity to larger centres like Parkes and Orange.

Forbes falls under postcode 2871 and is governed by Forbes Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Orange electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2871
Urban Area
Forbes
LGA / Council
Forbes
Federal Electorate
Parkes
State Electorate
Orange
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.39°, 148.02°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1082.12 km²
Elevation
241m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$440K
215 sales · ▲ 4.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$400K
5 sales · vs 2024 n/a

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)
$230
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,257
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.8%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Parkes Station
33 km
NSW TrainLink Western Line (Parkes-Sydney)

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Parkes 30 mins
  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Orange / Bathurst 1 hour 45 mins

Commute to Sydney

Distance
374 km
By Bus
6-7 hours (coach to Parkes + train to Sydney)
By Car (Peak)
5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
4 hours 30 mins

🛣️ Nearest regional centre is Parkes (33 km). Located on Newell Highway, well-connected by road to Melbourne-Brisbane corridor.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre along Lachlan Street is walkable with shops and services; residential areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    134 Rankin Street Forbes 2871 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 4 heritage-listed places in or near Forbes, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Forbes Railway Station group
Parkes-Stockinbingal railway Forbes • SHR #01145
Forbes Post Office
118 Lachlan Street Forbes • SHR #01414
Ben Hall's Death Site
Ben Halls Road, Yarrangong • SHR #01827
Grave of Ben Hall
Various , Forbes • SHR #01827

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
570.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.6%
Motor vehicle theft
408.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Non-DV assault
677.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
21.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
1,043.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.2%
View all 62 offence types for Forbes →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
8,432
Census 2021
8,157
▼ 3.3% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,704
Personal Income 2021
$36,712
▲ 27.9% 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
$36,712 / yr
$706/wk
Household
$63,492 / yr
$1221/wk
Family
$85,332 / yr
$1641/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 7,076
Born Overseas 348

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 76
  • 2. New Zealand 38
  • 3. India 34
  • 4. Philippines 26
  • 5. China 17
  • 6. South Africa 16
  • 7. Scotland 15
  • 8. Nepal 12
  • 9. Sri Lanka 11
  • 10. Netherlands 9

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 3,665
English 3,227
Australian Aboriginal 1,083
Irish 995
Scottish 682
German 335
Italian 117
Dutch 57
Chinese 43
French 40

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

6,565
Both parents born in Australia
420
Both parents born overseas
419
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
64.2%
No Religion
25.9%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
461 (5.7%)
5-14 years
1,121 (13.7%)
15-19 years
467 (5.7%)
20-24 years
437 (5.4%)
25-34 years
885 (10.8%)
35-44 years
866 (10.6%)
45-54 years
903 (11.1%)
55-64 years
1,044 (12.8%)
65-74 years
995 (12.2%)
75-84 years
708 (8.7%)
85+ years
266 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forbes known for? +

Forbes offers a relaxed regional lifestyle with a rich heritage reflected in its beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture including the 1880 courthouse and Federation-style buildings.

How far is Forbes from Sydney CBD? +

Forbes is approximately 374 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 5 hours in peak hour and 4 hours 30 mins off-peak.

Does Forbes have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Parkes Station (33 km away, approximately null walk) on the NSW TrainLink Western Line (Parkes-Sydney). Bus services include NSW TrainLink Coach, running to Parkes in approximately 30 mins.

What is the population of Forbes? +

According to the 2021 Census, Forbes has a population of 8,157 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Forbes a good place to live? +

Forbes is well-suited to a range of residents, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The town hosts popular annual events including the Forbes Show and the Lachlan Vintage Village Festival.

What is the postcode for Forbes? +

The postcode for Forbes is 2871. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Forbes? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Forbes is about $706 per week (around $36,700 per year). The median household income is $1,221 per week and the median family income is $1,641 per week.

What is the median house price in Forbes? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $440,000, up 4.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $400,000. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Forbes? +

The median age in Forbes is 42. The largest age group is 5–14 (1,121 residents, around 14%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 24% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Forbes a safe area? +

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

In Forbes, the median weekly rent is $230, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,257 (2021 Census).