🔍

Wauchope

NSW 2446 • Rest of NSW

6,589
Population (2021)
$57,928
Median Household Income
17.80 km²
Area
$350/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableHistoricFamily-FriendlyRiverside

About Wauchope

Wauchope is a regional service town and urban locality set along the Hastings River, approximately 20 kilometres inland from Port Macquarie within the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council area on the NSW Mid North Coast. Spanning nearly 18 square kilometres, the town has a population of 6,589 and serves as a commercial hub for surrounding rural properties and smaller communities across the Hastings Valley. The median age of 43 reflects an older, well-established population, with a meaningful Aboriginal community accounting for around 10 per cent of residents.

Wauchope is home to Timbertown, a heritage-listed open-air museum celebrating the region's rich timber-getting history and a popular attraction for visitors to the area. The town centre offers a practical range of everyday services including supermarkets, schools, medical facilities, and local businesses, while the scenic Hastings River provides recreational opportunities such as fishing and kayaking. Affordable housing with a median weekly rent of 50, combined with a relaxed pace of life and easy access to Port Macquarie's coastal amenities, makes Wauchope a popular choice for retirees, families, and those seeking a quieter regional lifestyle.

Wauchope falls under postcode 2446 and is governed by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Oxley electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2446
Urban Area
Wauchope
LGA / Council
Port Macquarie-Hastings
Federal Electorate
Lyne
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.48°, 152.73°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
17.80 km²
Elevation
42m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$691K
146 sales · ▲ 11% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$565K
34 sales · ▲ 10.7% 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)
$350
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.6%

67 state housing + 101 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Wauchope
0.8 km
10 min

Bus Services

  • Busways Route 332 — Port Macquarie 25-35 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
350 km
By Train
NSW TrainLink trains to Sydney Central approx 5-6 hours; limited services
By Car (Peak)
4-4.5 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3.5-4 hr

🛣️ Mid-North Coast town 20 km inland from Port Macquarie; Pacific Highway provides road access; gateway to the Hastings Valley

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre and main street walkable for basic errands; car needed for trips to Port Macquarie and major shopping

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
220.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
154.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.6%
Non-DV assault
487.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
208.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Port Macquarie-Hastings →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
6,312
Census 2021
6,589
▲ 4.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,376
Personal Income 2021
$30,420
▲ 19.9% 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
$30,420 / yr
$585/wk
Household
$57,928 / yr
$1114/wk
Family
$71,032 / yr
$1366/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,669
Born Overseas 467

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 161
  • 2. New Zealand 76
  • 3. Philippines 24
  • 4. Germany 14
  • 5. Thailand 14
  • 6. Netherlands 13
  • 7. Scotland 12
  • 8. United States 11
  • 9. Canada 10
  • 10. China 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 3,022
English 2,847
Irish 708
Australian Aboriginal 635
Scottish 603
German 231
Italian 108
Dutch 75
Maori 52
Chinese 50

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,983
Both parents born in Australia
553
Both parents born overseas
597
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.6%
No Religion
40.1%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.1%
Judaism
0.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
381 (5.8%)
5-14 years
876 (13.3%)
15-19 years
409 (6.2%)
20-24 years
345 (5.2%)
25-34 years
751 (11.4%)
35-44 years
624 (9.5%)
45-54 years
770 (11.7%)
55-64 years
762 (11.6%)
65-74 years
818 (12.4%)
75-84 years
580 (8.8%)
85+ years
281 (4.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wauchope known for? +

Wauchope is a regional service town and urban locality set along the Hastings River, approximately 20 kilometres inland from Port Macquarie within the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council area on the NSW Mid North Coast. Spanning nearly 18 square kilometres, the town has a population of 6,589 and serves as a commercial hub for surrounding rural properties and smaller communities across the Hastings Val

How far is Wauchope from Sydney CBD? +

Wauchope is approximately 20 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Drive times vary depending on traffic conditions.

Does Wauchope have public transport? +

Wauchope is a rural locality with no regular public transport services. A private vehicle is essential for accessing towns and services.

What is the population of Wauchope? +

According to the 2021 Census, Wauchope has a population of approximately 6,589 residents. It is a well-established suburb within the Port Macquarie-Hastings (Area).

Is Wauchope a good place to live? +

Wauchope suits those who value a quiet rural lifestyle with open spaces and natural surroundings. It is ideal for people seeking acreage, farming, or a secluded country retreat, with urban amenities accessible from nearby towns.

What is the postcode for Wauchope? +

The postcode for Wauchope, NSW is 2446.

What is the average income in Wauchope? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Wauchope is about $585 per week (around $30,400 per year). The median household income is $1,114 per week and the median family income is $1,366 per week.

What is the median house price in Wauchope? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $691,000, up 11% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $564,500, up 10.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Wauchope? +

The median age in Wauchope is 43. The largest age group is 5–14 (876 residents, around 13%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 25% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Wauchope a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Wauchope is part of the Port Macquarie-Hastings 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 Wauchope? +

In Wauchope, the median weekly rent is $350, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,517 (2021 Census).