🔍

Lithgow

NSW 2790 • Rest of NSW

4,956
Population (2021)
$52,520
Median Household Income
5.98 km²
Area
$280/wk
Median Rent
HistoricAffordableBlue MountainsHeritageGrowth Suburb

About Lithgow

Lithgow is a historic city in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, nestled in a mountain valley about 150 kilometres west of Sydney on the western edge of the Blue Mountains. With a population of around 4,956 in the suburb proper (and about 20,000 in the wider urban area), it serves as the administrative centre of the City of Lithgow. At an elevation of 918 metres, the city has a cool climate and is surrounded by seven valleys including Blue Mountains and Wollemi national parks. The median age is 49, with a strong Australian-born population (80%) of English, Australian and Irish heritage.

Lithgow has a rich industrial heritage as the site of Australia's first iron and steel production, with the historic Blast Furnace and Zig Zag Railway among its key attractions. The city offers affordable living with a median rent of 80 per week and access to major supermarkets including Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy proximity to World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains bushwalking, the Wollemi Pine discovery site, and local gardens. Lithgow attracts families, retirees, and commuters seeking affordable housing within train reach of Sydney, giving it a growing sea-change appeal.

Lithgow falls under postcode 2790 and is governed by Lithgow Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bathurst electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2790
Urban Area
Lithgow
LGA / Council
Lithgow
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Bathurst
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.48°, 150.15°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
5.98 km²
Elevation
918m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$530K
209 sales · ▲ 6% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$379K
11 sales · ▼ 16.7% 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)
$1,326
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
49 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.9%

88 state housing + 22 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Lithgow Station
0.5 km
6 mins
Eskbank Station
1.2 km
15 mins

Bus Services

  • Lithgow Buslines — Local services around Lithgow, Portland, Wallerawang 10-20 mins

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
150 km
By Train
2.5-3 hours (Blue Mountains Line to Central)
By Car (Peak)
2-2.5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5-2 hours

🛣️ Lithgow is the western terminus of the Blue Mountains Line. Trains run regularly to Sydney via Katoomba and Penrith. Bathurst is 60 km west.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre has shops, cafes and train station within walking distance; outer areas are car-dependent

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Lithgow Valley Shopping Centre Cnr Hassen Street & Bent Street Lithgow 2790 NSW
  • Woolworths
    224 Mort Street Lithgow 2790 NSW
  • ALDI
    2 Valley Drive, Lithgow NSW 2790

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 15 heritage-listed places in or near Lithgow, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Hartley Historic Site
Great Western Highway, Hartley Historic Site • SHR #00992
Lithgow Valley Colliery & Pottery Site
Bent Street, Lithgow • SHR #00078
McKanes Falls Bridge
Jenolan Caves Road Lithgow • SHR #01473
Eskbank Railway Station group
Main Western railway, Lithgow • SHR #01138
Lithgow Blast Furnace
Inch Street, Lithgow • SHR #00548
Collits' Inn
Hartley Vale Road, Hartley Vale • SHR #00455
Great Zig Zag Railway and Reserves
Brewery Lane, Lithgow • SHR #00542
Cooerwull Railway footbridge
Top Points Zig Zag Railway Lithgow • SHR #01115
Lithgow (James St) Underbridge
James Street, Lithgow • SHR #01831
Lithgow Coal Stage Signal Box
Gas Works Lane, Lithgow • SHR #01832
Lithgow Railway Station Group and Residence
Railway Parade, Lithgow • SHR #01833
Great Zig Zag Railway deviation tunnels
Main Western Railway, Lithgow • SHR #01037
Lithgow Heavy Anti Aircraft Gun Stations and Dummy Station
Kirkley Street (via) Bowenfels, off Chifley Road Scenic Hill, off Hassans Walls Road Lithgow • SHR #01862
Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Mount York, Cox's Pass Precinct
Mount York Road (off) Mount Victoria • SHR #01956
Eskbank House and Moveable Collections
70 Inch Street, Lithgow • SHR #02008

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
308.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 7.5%
Motor vehicle theft
178.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
564.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
4.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
212.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Lithgow →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,201
Census 2021
4,956
▼ 4.7% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,740
Personal Income 2021
$31,304
▲ 21.6% 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
$31,304 / yr
$602/wk
Household
$52,520 / yr
$1010/wk
Family
$73,944 / yr
$1422/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,958
Born Overseas 621

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 114
  • 2. New Zealand 60
  • 3. India 47
  • 4. Philippines 44
  • 5. China 33
  • 6. Scotland 20
  • 7. Netherlands 18
  • 8. Germany 17
  • 9. Italy 17
  • 10. Thailand 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,059
Australian 2,021
Irish 601
Scottish 549
Australian Aboriginal 310
German 172
Italian 85
Chinese 77
Filipino 71
Welsh 68

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,286
Both parents born in Australia
768
Both parents born overseas
500
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.5%
No Religion
36.9%
Buddhism
1.3%
Hinduism
0.8%
Islam
0.2%
Sikhism
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
197 (4.0%)
5-14 years
513 (10.4%)
15-19 years
235 (4.7%)
20-24 years
230 (4.6%)
25-34 years
574 (11.6%)
35-44 years
473 (9.5%)
45-54 years
576 (11.6%)
55-64 years
728 (14.7%)
65-74 years
736 (14.9%)
75-84 years
510 (10.3%)
85+ years
178 (3.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lithgow known for? +

Lithgow is a historic city in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, nestled in a mountain valley about 150 kilometres west of Sydney on the western edge of the Blue Mountains.

How far is Lithgow from Sydney CBD? +

Lithgow is approximately 150 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 2-2.5 hours during peak hour and 1.5-2 hours off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 2.5-3 hours (Blue Mountains Line to Central).

Does Lithgow have public transport? +

Lithgow is served by Lithgow Station station (0.5 km, approximately 6 mins walk) on the NSW TrainLink Blue Mountains Line — western terminus. Local bus services including Lithgow Buslines also connect residents to Local services around Lithgow, Portland, Wallerawang.

What is the population of Lithgow? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lithgow has a population of approximately 4,956 residents.

Is Lithgow a good place to live? +

Lithgow 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 Lithgow? +

The postcode for Lithgow in NSW is 2790.

What is the average income in Lithgow? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Lithgow is about $602 per week (around $31,300 per year). The median household income is $1,010 per week and the median family income is $1,422 per week.

What is the median house price in Lithgow? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $530,000, up 6% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $379,000, down 16.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Lithgow? +

The median age in Lithgow is 49. The largest age group is 65–74 (736 residents, around 15%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 29% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Lithgow a safe area? +

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

In Lithgow, the median weekly rent is $280, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,326 (2021 Census).