Tenterfield
NSW 2372 • Rest of NSW
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 the Tenterfield Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of New England, while state elections fall under the Lismore electorate.
Location
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Property Prices 2025
Median sale prices in Tenterfield for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.
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 2372
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2372, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.
Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2372; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Census personal income 2016 vs 2021
Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)
2021 Census income breakdown
Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.
Housing 2021 Census
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
🛣️ Located on the New England Highway near the Queensland border; Sydney is approximately 730 km south
The town centre along Rouse Street is walkable for daily needs, but most residents rely on a car for broader travel
Supermarkets Nearby
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ColesRouse Street Tenterfield 2372 NSW
Schools
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Bruxner Hwy
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58-66 Scott Street
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Tenterfield High School ICSEA 9146736 1200 89 High Street
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6736 1401 75-79 Wood Street
Heritage-Listed Places
There are 6 heritage-listed places in or near Tenterfield, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
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.
Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)
Country of Birth 2021 Census
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)