🔍

Tenterfield

NSW 2372 • Rest of NSW

4,067
Population (2021)
$48,516
Median Household Income
669.79 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRuralHeritageRetiree-HavenQuiet

About Tenterfield

Tenterfield is a historic New England tablelands town in northern New South Wales, sitting at approximately 963 metres above sea level about 300 kilometres south of Brisbane and within the Tenterfield Shire Council area. With a population of 4,067, the town has a notably mature demographic — the median age of 55 reflects its appeal to retirees and long-established families, with relatively modest incomes typical of regional New South Wales. The wider area spans nearly 670 square kilometres of rolling pastoral country, making Tenterfield the commercial hub for a large rural hinterland.

Tenterfield holds genuine historical significance as the birthplace of Australian federation, with Sir Henry Parkes delivering his famous federation speech here in 1889 at the heritage-listed Tenterfield School of Arts. The town is also known as the hometown of entertainer Peter Allen. Residents enjoy a quiet country lifestyle with access to local shops including a Coles supermarket, historic streetscapes along Rouse Street, and proximity to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia — a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cooler highland climate and scenic surroundings attract visitors and tree-changers seeking a slower pace of life.

Tenterfield falls under postcode 2372 and is governed by Tenterfield Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lismore electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2372
Urban Area
Tenterfield
LGA / Council
Tenterfield
Federal Electorate
New England
State Electorate
Lismore
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-29.08°, 152.03°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
669.79 km²
Elevation
963m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$530K
123 sales · ▲ 19.1% 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)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,192
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
55 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4%

40 state housing + 30 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach — Brisbane & Armidale Approx 3–4 hr to Brisbane, 2 hr to Armidale

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
300 km
By Train
No direct train service — NSW TrainLink coach to Brisbane
By Car (Peak)
3–3.5 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3–3.5 hr

🛣️ Located on the New England Highway near the Queensland border; Sydney is approximately 730 km south

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre along Rouse Street is walkable for daily needs, but most residents rely on a car for broader travel

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Rouse Street Tenterfield 2372 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 6 heritage-listed places in or near Tenterfield, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Tenterfield School of Arts
Manners Street, Tenterfield • SHR #01506
Tenterfield Post Office & Quarters
225 Rouse Street Tenterfield • SHR #01315
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
Various • SHR #01002
Sunnyside rail bridge over Tenterfield Creek
Main Northern Railway 784.233 km, Sunnyside • SHR #01056
High Conservation Value Old Growth Forest
15 Local Government Areas Upper North East NSW • SHR #01487
Tenterfield Railway Station group
Railway Avenue, Tenterfield • SHR #01267

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
508.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
437.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Non-DV assault
367.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
183.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
View all 62 offence types for Tenterfield →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,066
Census 2021
4,067
▲ 0.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,648
Personal Income 2021
$26,884
▲ 9.1% 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
$26,884 / yr
$517/wk
Household
$48,516 / yr
$933/wk
Family
$65,520 / yr
$1260/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,404
Born Overseas 320

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 91
  • 2. New Zealand 42
  • 3. Philippines 21
  • 4. Germany 18
  • 5. India 18
  • 6. Italy 13
  • 7. Netherlands 9
  • 8. Ireland 7
  • 9. Japan 6
  • 10. Scotland 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,781
Australian 1,588
Irish 635
Scottish 492
German 321
Australian Aboriginal 220
Italian 93
Dutch 33
Welsh 31
Indian 18

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,091
Both parents born in Australia
360
Both parents born overseas
297
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
57.7%
No Religion
32.0%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
180 (4.4%)
5-14 years
419 (10.3%)
15-19 years
202 (5.0%)
20-24 years
155 (3.8%)
25-34 years
291 (7.2%)
35-44 years
335 (8.2%)
45-54 years
441 (10.8%)
55-64 years
624 (15.3%)
65-74 years
822 (20.2%)
75-84 years
443 (10.9%)
85+ years
160 (3.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tenterfield known for? +

Tenterfield is a historic New England tablelands town in northern New South Wales, sitting at approximately 963 metres above sea level about 300 kilometres south of Brisbane and within the Tenterfield Shire Council area.

How far is Tenterfield from Brisbane CBD? +

Tenterfield is approximately 300 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. The drive takes around 3–3.5 hr during peak hour and 3–3.5 hr off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately No direct train service — NSW TrainLink coach to Brisbane.

Does Tenterfield have public transport? +

Tenterfield is served by bus routes (NSW TrainLink coach) connecting to Brisbane & Armidale with a travel time of approximately Approx 3–4 hr to Brisbane, 2 hr to Armidale. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Tenterfield? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tenterfield has a population of approximately 4,067 residents.

Is Tenterfield a good place to live? +

Tenterfield offers a unique blend of historic character and residential living. It suits those who appreciate heritage surroundings and a close-knit community, while remaining connected to regional services.

What is the postcode for Tenterfield? +

The postcode for Tenterfield in NSW is 2372.

What is the average income in Tenterfield? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Tenterfield is about $517 per week (around $26,900 per year). The median household income is $933 per week and the median family income is $1,260 per week.

What is the median house price in Tenterfield? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $530,000, up 19.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Tenterfield? +

The median age in Tenterfield is 55. The largest age group is 65–74 (822 residents, around 20%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 35% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Tenterfield a safe area? +

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

In Tenterfield, the median weekly rent is $250, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,192 (2021 Census).