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McLeans Ridges

NSW 2480 • New South Wales

808
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
19.04 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralNorthern RiversLifestyleHinterlandFamily-Friendly
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About McLeans Ridges

McLeans Ridges is a semi-rural locality in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, located within Ballina Shire approximately 10 kilometres north-west of Ballina and around 15 kilometres south of Lismore. Set across gentle ridgelines and valleys at the edge of the Richmond River catchment, the area is characterised by lush green farmland, hobby farms, and scattered rural residential properties. The 2021 census recorded a population of around 808 people, making McLeans Ridges a well-established though sparsely settled community in the broader Northern Rivers landscape. It shares postcode 2480 with Lismore, reflecting its proximity to that regional centre.

McLeans Ridges attracts tree-changers, small-scale farmers, and families seeking rural tranquillity within easy reach of Northern Rivers services. The locality is known for its peaceful atmosphere, attractive rural scenery, and proximity to the beaches of Ballina and Lennox Head, reachable within 15–20 minutes by car. Lismore provides hospitals, universities, and major retail, while Ballina offers a growing commercial centre with an airport connecting to Sydney and Melbourne. The area is increasingly popular as a lifestyle destination, drawing buyers priced out of coastal hotspots who still want to be within reach of the beach and regional amenities.

McLeans Ridges falls under postcode 2480 and is governed by the Lismore Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Richmond, while state elections fall under the Lismore electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2480
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Lismore
Federal Electorate
Richmond
State Electorate
Lismore
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.71°, 153.26°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
19.04 km²
Population Density
42 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.53M
11 sales · ▲ 6.6% 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.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2480

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2480, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$41,443
Median 2023–24
$50,499
▲ 21.9% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$60,215

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2480; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Busways Northern Rivers — Lismore / Ballina ~20–30 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
745 km
By Train
N/A – no local rail; nearest station is Casino (~45 km), with NSW TrainLink to Sydney (~8–9 h)
By Bus
NSW TrainLink coach services via Lismore to Sydney (~11–12 h)
By Car (Peak)
~8 h 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
~8 h

🛣️ Most residents work locally in Lismore or Ballina. Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (20 km) provides flights to Sydney and Melbourne.

Walkability Car Dependent

No walkable commercial amenities locally. A car is essential for daily errands. Pleasant rural roads suitable for walking and cycling.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
808
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Lismore Local Government Area, which contains McLeans Ridges. 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)

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McLeans Ridges known for? +

McLeans Ridges is a semi-rural locality in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, located within Ballina Shire approximately 10 kilometres north-west of Ballina and around 15 kilometres south of Lismore.

How far is McLeans Ridges from Sydney CBD? +

McLeans Ridges is approximately 745 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around ~8 h 30 min during peak hour and ~8 h off-peak.

Does McLeans Ridges have public transport? +

McLeans Ridges is served by bus routes (Busways Northern Rivers) connecting to Lismore / Ballina with a travel time of approximately ~20–30 min. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of McLeans Ridges? +

According to the 2021 Census, McLeans Ridges has a population of approximately 808 residents. It is a small community by Australian standards.

Is McLeans Ridges a good place to live? +

McLeans Ridges offers a rural lifestyle in NSW. The area suits those looking for a quieter setting away from major urban centres.

What is the postcode for McLeans Ridges? +

The postcode for McLeans Ridges in NSW is 2480.

What is the median house price in McLeans Ridges? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,530,000, up 6.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

Is McLeans Ridges a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. McLeans Ridges 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.