🔍

Old Bar

NSW 2430 • Rest of NSW

5,126
Population (2021)
$60,840
Median Household Income
24.27 km²
Area
$358/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideRetiree-HavenPeacefulAffordable

About Old Bar

Old Bar is a coastal township on the New South Wales mid-north coast, situated approximately 20 kilometres east of Taree within the Mid-Coast Council area. With a population of 5,126 spread across 24 square kilometres, it is a relaxed seaside community with a notably older demographic — the median age is 50 — attracting retirees and sea-changers drawn to its beachside lifestyle. Household incomes are modest, reflecting the area's character as a lifestyle destination rather than an employment hub.

The suburb is anchored by its surf beach and the Manning River estuary nearby, offering swimming, fishing, and boating as everyday pursuits. Local amenities include a small shopping village, primary school, and community services, with larger retail and medical facilities available in Taree. Old Bar has a strong sense of community and a predominantly Anglo-Australian heritage, and its affordable housing relative to major coastal centres makes it a popular destination for those seeking a quieter pace of life on the New South Wales coast.

Old Bar falls under postcode 2430 and is governed by Mid-Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Myall Lakes electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2430
Urban Area
Taree - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Mid-Coast
Federal Electorate
Lyne
State Electorate
Myall Lakes
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.96°, 152.56°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
24.27 km²
Elevation
21m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$795K
126 sales · ▲ 1.9% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$555K
43 sales · ▲ 16% 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)
$358
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,690
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.3%

0 state housing + 6 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Taree
20 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Busways Mid Coast services — Taree / Manning Valley 25-35 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
330 km
By Train
~5 hrs from Taree via North Coast Line
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hrs

🛣️ Manning Valley coastal village; Taree is the local service centre

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small coastal village with minimal local shops; car essential for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    54 Old Bar Road Old Bar 2430 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Old Bar, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Old Bar Airfield
0.5km off Old Bar Road Old Bar • SHR #01304

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
286.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.0%
Motor vehicle theft
215 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.8%
Non-DV assault
445.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 1.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
196.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.8%
View all 62 offence types for Mid-Coast →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,389
Census 2021
5,126
▲ 16.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,532
Personal Income 2021
$31,876
▲ 24.8% 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
$31,876 / yr
$613/wk
Household
$60,840 / yr
$1170/wk
Family
$74,412 / yr
$1431/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,314
Born Overseas 499

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 166
  • 2. New Zealand 52
  • 3. Netherlands 25
  • 4. Scotland 25
  • 5. Germany 22
  • 6. South Africa 22
  • 7. India 12
  • 8. Ireland 10
  • 9. Malta 10
  • 10. Philippines 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,199
English 2,189
Irish 616
Scottish 557
Australian Aboriginal 362
German 201
Italian 99
Dutch 70
New Zealander 45
French 43

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,586
Both parents born in Australia
625
Both parents born overseas
551
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.2%
No Religion
38.5%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
280 (5.5%)
5-14 years
637 (12.4%)
15-19 years
213 (4.2%)
20-24 years
172 (3.4%)
25-34 years
456 (8.9%)
35-44 years
507 (9.9%)
45-54 years
562 (11.0%)
55-64 years
690 (13.5%)
65-74 years
893 (17.4%)
75-84 years
504 (9.8%)
85+ years
220 (4.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Old Bar known for? +

Old Bar is a coastal township on the New South Wales mid-north coast, situated approximately 20 kilometres east of Taree within the Mid-Coast Council area.

How far is Old Bar from Sydney CBD? +

Old Bar is a rural locality in NSW. Access to the nearest CBD requires a private vehicle, as public transport options are very limited.

Does Old Bar have public transport? +

Old Bar has no public transport services. A private vehicle is essential for all travel in this area.

What is the population of Old Bar? +

According to the 2021 Census, Old Bar has a population of approximately 5,126 residents.

Is Old Bar a good place to live? +

Old Bar is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Old Bar? +

The postcode for Old Bar in NSW is 2430.

What is the average income in Old Bar? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Old Bar is about $613 per week (around $31,900 per year). The median household income is $1,170 per week and the median family income is $1,431 per week.

What is the median house price in Old Bar? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $795,000, up 1.9% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $555,000, up 16% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Old Bar? +

The median age in Old Bar is 50. The largest age group is 65–74 (893 residents, around 17%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Old Bar a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Old Bar is part of the Mid-Coast 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 Old Bar? +

In Old Bar, the median weekly rent is $358, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,690 (2021 Census).