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Stuart Town

NSW 2820 • New South Wales

241
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
142.81 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricGold Mining HeritagePeacefulRemote
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About Stuart Town

Stuart Town is a small historic rural locality in the Dubbo Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, situated approximately 35 kilometres south of Wellington and 60 kilometres north of Orange in the state's Central West. Originally known as Ironbarks, the locality was renamed Stuart Town in 1879 following the construction of the Main Western Railway line through the area. With a 2021 Census population of 241 residents and a median household income around $39,000, Stuart Town retains the modest, self-sufficient character of a small Central Western NSW rural community.

Stuart Town carries a remarkable gold mining heritage — the area is celebrated as the setting that inspired Banjo Paterson's famous poem 'The Man from Ironbark', and fossickers can still try their luck panning for gold along creeks on the Stuart Town Common. The Macquarie River and nearby Burrendong Dam offer recreational fishing and water activities, while Wellington and Orange provide full shopping, health, and education services within an hour's drive. The locality appeals to those drawn to living history, open Central Western landscapes, and a quiet community lifestyle far from metropolitan bustle.

Stuart Town falls under postcode 2820 and is governed by the Dubbo Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Calare, while state elections fall under the Dubbo electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2820
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Dubbo
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Dubbo
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.55°, 148.99°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
142.81 km²
Population Density
2 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2820

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2820, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$39,139
Median 2023–24
$47,943
▲ 22.5% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$54,246

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2820; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink regional coach services — Orange or Dubbo Approximately 1 hour to either

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
310 km
By Train
No direct train; nearest station Wellington (~35 km), then CountryLink to Sydney (~4.5 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min - 4 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr - 3 hr 30 min

🛣️ Orange (~60 km south) and Wellington (~35 km north) are primary service towns; Burrendong Way provides main road access

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Stuart Town is a remote rural locality with minimal local services; a car is essential for all daily needs, with Wellington and Orange the nearest service centres

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
241
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
491.3 / 100k
2yr Down 32.0% 10yr Down 12.8%
Motor vehicle theft
300 / 100k
2yr Down 20.8% 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
782.5 / 100k
2yr Down 23.2% 10yr Up 1.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
19.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
435.1 / 100k
2yr Down 41.1% 10yr Down 14.3%
View all 62 offence types for Dubbo →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stuart Town known for? +

Stuart Town is best known for its rich gold mining heritage and its association with Banjo Paterson's iconic bush poem 'The Man from Ironbark' — the locality was originally called Ironbarks. Fossickers can still pan for gold in creeks on the Stuart Town Common today.

How far is Stuart Town from Orange? +

Stuart Town is approximately 60 kilometres north of Orange, a 45 to 50 minute drive via Burrendong Way through the Central West.

Does Stuart Town have public transport? +

There is no local bus or train service in Stuart Town. The nearest railway access is at Wellington, approximately 35 kilometres north, which has limited NSW TrainLink CountryLink services. A car is essential for all travel.

What is the population of Stuart Town? +

According to the 2021 Census, Stuart Town has a population of 241 residents across a large locality of approximately 143 square kilometres in the Dubbo Regional Council area.

Is Stuart Town a good place to live? +

Stuart Town suits those who value peace, open space, and a genuine connection to Australian rural history. The locality offers a quiet bush lifestyle with gold fossicking, river fishing, and a tight-knit community, while Orange and Wellington provide full services within driving distance.

What is the postcode for Stuart Town? +

The postcode for Stuart Town, New South Wales is 2820.

Is Stuart Town a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Stuart Town is part of the Dubbo 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.