🔍

Wellington

NSW 2820 • Rest of NSW

4,096
Population (2021)
$50,700
Median Household Income
15.93 km²
Area
$230/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricHeritageAffordable

About Wellington

Wellington is a historic country town situated on the Macquarie River in New South Wales, approximately 360 kilometres north-west of Sydney within the Western Plains Regional Council area. With a population of 4,096, the town serves as a regional hub for the surrounding agricultural and grazing communities of central-western NSW. The median age of 41 and a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community — accounting for around 29% of residents — reflect Wellington's deep roots in the region. Housing is among the most affordable in NSW, with median weekly rents of just $230 and a median household income of $975 per week.

Wellington is best known as the gateway to Wellington Caves, a remarkable network of limestone caverns that draws visitors from across the region and holds significant heritage value. The town centre offers everyday conveniences with both a Coles and Woolworths, along with local shops, schools, and services that support a self-contained community. Several State-listed heritage sites — including the Wellington Convict and Mission Site and the Wellington Post Office — speak to the town's rich colonial and Indigenous history. Its quiet pace, rural character, and strong community ties make it an appealing option for those seeking an affordable country lifestyle in the NSW Central West.

Wellington falls under postcode 2820 and is governed by Western Plains Regional Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Dubbo electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2820
Urban Area
Wellington
LGA / Council
Western Plains Regional
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Dubbo
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.57°, 148.96°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
15.93 km²
Elevation
354m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$330K
136 sales · ▲ 10% 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)
$230
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$936
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
41 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
7.9%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink regional coach — Dubbo / Orange / Sydney Approx. 70 min to Dubbo by coach

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
360 km
By Train
No direct train; NSW TrainLink coach to Dubbo then train (total 5–6 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min – 4 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr 20 min – 3 hr 45 min

🛣️ Primarily a car-dependent town; Mitchell Highway connects to Dubbo and Orange

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is walkable for local errands, but most residents rely on a car for regular shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Percy Street Wellington 2820 NSW
  • Woolworths
    81 Arthur Street Wellington 2820 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Wellington Post Office
21 Maughan Street Wellington • SHR #01415
Stuart Town Railway Station group
Main Western railway, Stuart Town • SHR #01253
Blacks Camp
University Road, Wellington • SHR #01865
John Fowler 7nhp Steam Road Locomotive
7 Nanima Crescent Wellington • SHR #01867
Wellington Convict and Mission Site - Maynggu Ganai
Curtis Street, Wellington • SHR #01859
Wellington Town Common
Wellington • SHR #02086

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,077
Census 2021
4,096
▲ 0.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,816
Personal Income 2021
$28,704
▲ 20.5% 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
$28,704 / yr
$552/wk
Household
$50,700 / yr
$975/wk
Family
$67,496 / yr
$1298/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,184
Born Overseas 296

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 47
  • 2. New Zealand 33
  • 3. Philippines 31
  • 4. Chile 16
  • 5. Malaysia 11
  • 6. Scotland 11
  • 7. Germany 10
  • 8. China 9
  • 9. France 8
  • 10. India 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,444
English 1,379
Australian Aboriginal 1,052
Irish 359
Scottish 250
German 118
Italian 67
Chinese 57
Dutch 29
Filipino 24

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,912
Both parents born in Australia
357
Both parents born overseas
211
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.9%
No Religion
30.8%
Islam
0.6%
Hinduism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
264 (6.4%)
5-14 years
567 (13.8%)
15-19 years
220 (5.4%)
20-24 years
234 (5.7%)
25-34 years
511 (12.5%)
35-44 years
371 (9.1%)
45-54 years
446 (10.9%)
55-64 years
562 (13.7%)
65-74 years
480 (11.7%)
75-84 years
301 (7.3%)
85+ years
140 (3.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wellington known for? +

Wellington is best known as the gateway to Wellington Caves, a remarkable network of limestone caverns featuring stalactites and stalagmites that attract visitors from across the region. The town also has strong Indigenous heritage and a rich colonial history on the Macquarie River.

How far is Wellington from Sydney? +

Wellington is approximately 360 kilometres north-west of Sydney, with a drive time of around 4 hours via the Great Western Highway and Mid-Western Highway.

Does Wellington have public transport? +

Wellington is served by regional coach services to Dubbo and other centres. The Dubbo train station, approximately 70 km away, is the nearest rail connection to Sydney. A car is the most practical transport option for residents.

What is the population of Wellington? +

According to the 2021 Census, Wellington has a population of approximately 4,096 residents within the Wellington Council (Dubbo Regional Council) local government area.

Is Wellington a good place to live? +

Wellington offers an affordable country lifestyle with a rich history, access to Wellington Caves, and the amenities of a regional town. It is well-suited to farming families, retirees, and those seeking affordable rural living in the Central West of NSW.

What is the postcode for Wellington? +

The postcode for Wellington is 2820.

What is the average income in Wellington? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Wellington is about $552 per week (around $28,700 per year). The median household income is $975 per week and the median family income is $1,298 per week.

What is the median house price in Wellington? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $330,000, up 10% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Wellington? +

The median age in Wellington is 41. The largest age group is 5–14 (567 residents, around 14%). Around 26% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Wellington? +

In Wellington, the median weekly rent is $230, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $936 (2021 Census).