Moonbi

NSW 2353 • Rest of NSW

1,201
Population (2021)
$70,408
Median Household Income
198.90 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalFamily-FriendlyNature

About Moonbi

Moonbi is a rural locality and village in the Tamworth Regional Council area of New South Wales, situated on the New England Highway approximately 20 kilometres north of Tamworth at the foot of the Moonbi Range, at an elevation of 464 metres. The statistical area covers 198.9 square kilometres of mixed farming and forested range country and recorded a population of 1,201 at the 2021 census, encompassing the village and its surrounding rural hinterland. Moonbi village is nationally renowned as a centre for the poultry industry, with many large chicken farms and associated processing facilities operating in the district — a giant fibreglass chicken erected by the community acknowledges this agricultural distinction. The locality sits near the smaller village of Kootingal and marks the northern approach to the Moonbi Range, a dramatic escarpment on the New England Highway.

Moonbi's rural character is shaped by its dual identity as a poultry and farming district and a gateway to the scenic New England Tablelands, with the Moonbi Range providing a striking backdrop of forested escarpments visible from the village. Tamworth — 20 kilometres south — is the New England's capital city, renowned as Australia's country music capital and offering a full range of services including the Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, a university campus, major shopping, airport and NSW TrainLink connections to Sydney. The New England's clear highland air, cooler summers and strong agricultural community define the lifestyle of Moonbi's residents. The Moonbi Range Lookout provides panoramic views across the Liverpool Plains to the west, a popular stop for New England Highway travellers.

Moonbi falls under postcode 2353 and is governed by Tamworth Regional Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Tamworth electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2353
Urban Area
Tamworth - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.95°, 151.05°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
198.90 km²
Elevation
838m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$550K
17 sales · ▼ 11.6% 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.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,484
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.2%

0 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Tamworth
20 km
NSW TrainLink Inland – services to Sydney Central ~5 hrs 30 min

Bus Services

  • Rover Coaches / NSW TrainLink coach — Tamworth / Armidale ~25 min to Tamworth

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
474 km
By Train
~5 hr 45 min (drive ~20 km to Tamworth, then NSW TrainLink Inland to Central)
By Bus
~25 min to Tamworth, then TrainLink or coach connections
By Car (Peak)
~5 hrs to Sydney via New England and Pacific Highways
By Car (Off-Peak)
~4 hr 45 min

🛣️ Tamworth (20 km south) is the regional centre with full services, TrainLink connections and a regional airport. Daily Sydney commuting is impractical; residents are locally employed in poultry, farming and Tamworth-based industries.

Walkability Car Dependent

Moonbi village has a small general store and basic facilities, but all significant services require a drive to Tamworth. A car is essential for daily needs beyond the immediate village.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

  • 🏫
    6760 3151 New England Hwy
    GovernmentPrimaryCoedNon-Denominational

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
643.3 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
332.3 / 100k
Non-DV assault
713.1 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
19.7 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
535.6 / 100k

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,126
Census 2021
1,201
6.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,664
Personal Income 2021
$34,320
24.1% 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
$34,320 / yr
$660/wk
Household
$70,408 / yr
$1354/wk
Family
$82,316 / yr
$1583/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,036
Born Overseas 80

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 26
  • 2. New Zealand 13
  • 3. Canada 6
  • 4. Scotland 5
  • 5. Nepal 4
  • 6. South Africa 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 529
Australian 508
Irish 171
Scottish 146
Australian Aboriginal 110
German 45
Italian 11
Welsh 9
Dutch 8
New Zealander 8

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

897
Both parents born in Australia
84
Both parents born overseas
96
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
59.5%
No Religion
32.0%
Hinduism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
49 (4.1%)
5-14 years
138 (11.5%)
15-19 years
55 (4.6%)
20-24 years
42 (3.5%)
25-34 years
113 (9.4%)
35-44 years
122 (10.2%)
45-54 years
153 (12.7%)
55-64 years
182 (15.2%)
65-74 years
157 (13.1%)
75-84 years
111 (9.2%)
85+ years
68 (5.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Moonbi known for? +

Moonbi is a rural locality and village in the Tamworth Regional Council area of New South Wales, situated on the New England Highway approximately 20 kilometres north of Tamworth at the foot of the Moonbi Range, at an elevation of 464 metres.

How far is Moonbi from Sydney CBD? +

Moonbi is approximately 474 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around ~5 hrs to Sydney via New England and Pacific Highways during peak hour and ~4 hr 45 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately ~5 hr 45 min (drive ~20 km to Tamworth, then NSW TrainLink Inland to Central).

Does Moonbi have public transport? +

Moonbi is served by Tamworth station (20 km, approximately null walk) on the NSW TrainLink Inland – services to Sydney Central ~5 hrs 30 min. Local bus services including Rover Coaches / NSW TrainLink coach also connect residents to Tamworth / Armidale.

What is the population of Moonbi? +

According to the 2021 Census, Moonbi has a population of approximately 1,201 residents.

Is Moonbi a good place to live? +

Moonbi 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 Moonbi? +

The postcode for Moonbi in NSW is 2353.

What is the average income in Moonbi? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Moonbi is about $660 per week (around $34,300 per year). The median household income is $1,354 per week and the median family income is $1,583 per week.

What is the median house price in Moonbi? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $550,000, down 11.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Moonbi? +

The median age in Moonbi is 50. The largest age group is 55–64 (182 residents, around 15%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 28% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Moonbi a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Moonbi 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 Moonbi? +

In Moonbi, the median weekly rent is $220, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,484 (2021 Census).