🔍

Manilla

NSW 2346 • Rest of NSW

2,386
Population (2021)
$51,688
Median Household Income
70.64 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietAffordableHistoric

About Manilla

Manilla is a small rural town in the New England region of New South Wales, situated approximately 70 kilometres north-west of Tamworth along the Namoi River within the Tamworth Regional Council area. With a population of 2,386, the town serves as the commercial and community hub for surrounding farming districts, drawing on a predominantly Anglo-Celtic heritage with a notable Aboriginal community making up around 14 per cent of residents. The median age of 48 reflects an older, established population, and median household incomes sit below the state average, consistent with the regional agricultural economy.

Manilla is well known among the hang gliding and paragliding community, with Mount Borah nearby offering world-class launching conditions that attract pilots from across Australia and internationally. The town centre provides essential services including supermarkets, medical facilities, schools, and cafes, while the Namoi River valley offers attractive scenery and fishing. Manilla Public School and Manilla Central School serve local families, and the area’s rural character, affordable housing, and tight-knit community appeal to those seeking a quieter regional lifestyle.

Manilla falls under postcode 2346 and is governed by Tamworth Regional Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Tamworth electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2346
Urban Area
Tamworth - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Tamworth Regional
Federal Electorate
New England
State Electorate
Tamworth
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.73°, 150.73°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
70.64 km²
Elevation
368m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$410K
71 sales · ▲ 9.3% 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)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,083
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.4%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Tamworth
70 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach — Tamworth / Armidale approx. 1 hr to Tamworth

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
420 km
By Train
No direct train service; NSW TrainLink coach to Tamworth, then train to Sydney (approx. 7–8 hrs total)
By Car (Peak)
4.5–5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
4–4.5 hrs

🛣️ Manilla is accessible via the Oxley Highway and Kamilaroi Highway; Tamworth Airport is the nearest regional airport (70km)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most daily errands require a car, though the compact town centre allows walking for local shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Manilla railway underbridges
Tamworth-Barraba railway, Manilla • SHR #01045
Manilla Railway Viaduct and Underbridge
River Street, Manilla • SHR #02079

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
643.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
332.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 8.2%
Non-DV assault
713.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 4.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
19.7 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
535.6 / 100k
2yr Up 48.9% 10yr Down 1.9%
View all 62 offence types for Tamworth Regional →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,550
Census 2021
2,386
▼ 6.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,712
Personal Income 2021
$27,716
▲ 16.9% 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
$27,716 / yr
$533/wk
Household
$51,688 / yr
$994/wk
Family
$68,068 / yr
$1309/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,044
Born Overseas 125

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 42
  • 2. New Zealand 22
  • 3. India 11
  • 4. China 10
  • 5. Germany 7
  • 6. United States 7
  • 7. Scotland 5
  • 8. Netherlands 4
  • 9. Poland 3
  • 10. Wales 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,107
English 988
Australian Aboriginal 342
Scottish 234
Irish 211
German 79
Chinese 30
Italian 14
New Zealander 12
Dutch 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,900
Both parents born in Australia
147
Both parents born overseas
131
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
58.5%
No Religion
30.9%
Hinduism
0.4%
Buddhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
116 (4.9%)
5-14 years
274 (11.5%)
15-19 years
128 (5.4%)
20-24 years
118 (4.9%)
25-34 years
216 (9.1%)
35-44 years
227 (9.5%)
45-54 years
285 (11.9%)
55-64 years
332 (13.9%)
65-74 years
380 (15.9%)
75-84 years
226 (9.5%)
85+ years
71 (3.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Manilla known for? +

Manilla is best known as a world-class hang gliding and paragliding destination, with nearby Mount Borah attracting pilots from around Australia and internationally. The town is also recognised for its rural heritage, Namoi River setting, and role as a service centre for the surrounding farming region.

How far is Manilla from Tamworth? +

Manilla is approximately 70 kilometres north-west of Tamworth, a drive of around 45 minutes to an hour via the Oxley Highway and Kamilaroi Highway.

Does Manilla have public transport? +

Manilla is served by NSW TrainLink coach services connecting it to Tamworth and beyond. There is no rail line through Manilla; a car is the most practical way to get around day-to-day.

What is the population of Manilla? +

According to the 2021 Census, Manilla has a population of approximately 2,386 residents, a slight decline from 2,550 in 2016, reflecting broader trends of population movement away from smaller regional towns.

Is Manilla a good place to live? +

Manilla suits those who enjoy a relaxed rural lifestyle with close community ties, affordable housing, and natural surroundings. It appeals particularly to retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and families seeking a quieter pace of life away from larger cities.

What is the postcode for Manilla? +

The postcode for Manilla, NSW is 2346.

What is the average income in Manilla? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Manilla is about $533 per week (around $27,700 per year). The median household income is $994 per week and the median family income is $1,309 per week.

What is the median house price in Manilla? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $410,000, up 9.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Manilla? +

The median age in Manilla is 48. The largest age group is 65–74 (380 residents, around 16%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 28% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Manilla a safe area? +

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

In Manilla, the median weekly rent is $260, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,083 (2021 Census).