🔍

Lismore

NSW 2480 • Rest of NSW

3,656
Population (2021)
$53,820
Median Household Income
3.67 km²
Area
$280/wk
Median Rent
Regional CentreArts CommunityAffordableUniversity TownHistoric

About Lismore

Lismore is the major regional centre of the Northern Rivers region in New South Wales, situated 734 kilometres north of Sydney and 200 kilometres south of Brisbane on the Wilsons River floodplain. The urban area has a population of around 29,000, serving as the commercial, educational, and administrative hub for the wider region. Home to Southern Cross University, the city has a distinctive character shaped by its agricultural heritage, arts community, and the counter-cultural influences of nearby Nimbin and Byron Bay.

The city offers a vibrant cultural scene with galleries, markets, live music venues, and a thriving café culture influenced by its creative and alternative community. Lismore's affordability compared to coastal neighbours like Byron Bay attracts artists, young families, and professionals working across the Northern Rivers region. The CBD features Heritage-listed buildings, Lismore Square shopping centre, and the regional hospital. While the city faced devastating floods in 2022, significant recovery and resilience efforts continue to strengthen the community.

Lismore falls under postcode 2480 and is governed by Lismore Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lismore electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2480
Urban Area
Lismore - North
LGA / Council
Lismore
Federal Electorate
Page
State Electorate
Lismore
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.81°, 153.29°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3.67 km²
Elevation
12m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$520K
105 sales · ▲ 14.3% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$290K
13 sales · ▼ 81.8% 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)
$280
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
41 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.5%

64 state housing + 89 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 661, 662 — Lismore local area services (Goonellabah, TAFE, hospital) 10-25 min
  • CDC Northern Rivers — Ballina via Alstonville 45 min
  • CDC Northern Rivers — Byron Bay, Lennox Head 60-75 min
  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Casino (rail connection to Sydney/Brisbane) 30-40 min

Commute to Ballina (nearest coastal centre)

Distance
32 km
By Bus
45 min
By Car (Peak)
30-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 min

🛣️ No rail service — former Casino-Murwillumbah line closed. Regional bus services connect to Ballina, Byron Bay, and Casino. Lismore Airport (Rex) offers flights to Sydney.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

CBD is compact and walkable; car essential for reaching surrounding areas and outer suburbs like Goonellabah

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Lismore Square Shopping Centre Cnr Brewster Street & Uralba Street Lismore 2480 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Lismore railway underbridges
North Coast railway, Lismore • SHR #01044
Colemans Bridge over Leycester Creek
Main Road 544 Lismore • SHR #01463

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
406.6 / 100k
2yr Down 43.5% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
292.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.1%
Non-DV assault
714.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
22.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
347.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.3%
View all 62 offence types for Lismore →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,579
Census 2021
3,656
▲ 2.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,220
Personal Income 2021
$31,096
▲ 23.3% 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
$31,096 / yr
$598/wk
Household
$53,820 / yr
$1035/wk
Family
$76,180 / yr
$1465/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,819
Born Overseas 408

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 92
  • 2. New Zealand 47
  • 3. Philippines 22
  • 4. Nepal 18
  • 5. Germany 15
  • 6. United States 14
  • 7. Scotland 12
  • 8. India 11
  • 9. South Africa 11
  • 10. Thailand 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,393
English 1,375
Irish 502
Scottish 441
Australian Aboriginal 231
German 176
Italian 121
Dutch 38
Filipino 36
Chinese 33

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,361
Both parents born in Australia
474
Both parents born overseas
383
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
46.7%
Christianity
36.1%
Buddhism
1.8%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
164 (4.5%)
5-14 years
412 (11.3%)
15-19 years
212 (5.8%)
20-24 years
230 (6.3%)
25-34 years
506 (13.8%)
35-44 years
485 (13.3%)
45-54 years
460 (12.6%)
55-64 years
489 (13.4%)
65-74 years
400 (10.9%)
75-84 years
184 (5.0%)
85+ years
109 (3.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lismore known for? +

Lismore is the major regional centre of the Northern Rivers region in New South Wales, situated 734 kilometres north of Sydney and 200 kilometres south of Brisbane on the Wilsons River floodplain.

How far is Lismore from Ballina (nearest coastal centre)? +

Lismore is approximately 32 kilometres from Ballina (nearest coastal centre). The drive takes around 30-35 min during peak hour and 25-30 min off-peak.

Does Lismore have public transport? +

Lismore is served by bus routes (661, 662) connecting to Lismore local area services (Goonellabah, TAFE, hospital) with a travel time of approximately 10-25 min. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Lismore? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lismore has a population of approximately 3,656 residents.

Is Lismore a good place to live? +

Lismore offers a unique blend of historic character and residential living. It suits those who appreciate heritage surroundings and a close-knit community, while remaining connected to regional services.

What is the postcode for Lismore? +

The postcode for Lismore in NSW is 2480.

What is the average income in Lismore? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Lismore is about $598 per week (around $31,100 per year). The median household income is $1,035 per week and the median family income is $1,465 per week.

What is the median house price in Lismore? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $520,000, up 14.3% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $290,000, down 81.8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Lismore? +

The median age in Lismore is 41. The largest age group is 25–34 (506 residents, around 14%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Lismore a safe area? +

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

In Lismore, the median weekly rent is $280, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).