NSW · Bellingen Council
Bellingen, 2454
Current weather
13.8°CClear sky
97% humidity · 8.3 km/h wind · 19.5° / 11.6° today · 6.6 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- National parks
Suburb profile
Bellingen anchors everyday life in Bellingen, a regional mid-sized suburb with its own identity and rhythm. A strong local centre anchors daily routines, while the surrounding region adds variety for weekends away. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. Local eateries and coffee spots give the area a friendly, everyday social rhythm. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by growth momentum and parks and green space, while community and employment sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 3,923
- Median age
- 44
- Median household income / week
- $1,268
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 101 of 1,566
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,477
- Employment rate
- 52.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 134 / 80 / 10
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $630
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 39
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 235
- Against the person
- 82
- Against property
- 95
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 59.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 48 residents
- State safety percentile
- 37.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -7.2%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault39
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment53
- Malicious Damage To Property66
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault42
- Other Offences62
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 1,006
- Bellingen High SchoolSecondary
- Bellingen Public SchoolPrimary
- St Mary's Primary SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
112 public transport stops in this suburb
- 14 Wheatley St
- Scotchman Rd After Bowra St
- Scotchman Rd At Martins Rd
- Scotchman Rd Opp 122
- Scotchman Rd Opp 50
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
247 planning-related records
2026· 21 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Stairway22 PRINCE STREET BELLINGEN 2454Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 TAYLORS CLOSE BELLINGEN 2454On Exhibition
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 PRINCE STREET BELLINGEN 2454On Exhibition
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 ELLIOT CLOSE BELLINGEN 2454Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure19 ROBERT STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 HYDE STREET BELLINGEN 2454Under Assessment
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Pathways and paving; Rainwater tanks; Residential Accommodation3 RINGWOOD PLACE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure63 WHISTLER PLACE BELLINGEN 2454Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Shipping containers; Residential Accommodation3 LUCAS AVENUE BELLINGEN 2454Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure63 WHISTLER PLACE BELLINGEN 2454Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia1C EVANS STREET BELLINGEN 2454Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks21 WHISTLER PLACE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool28 MCLEAN DRIVE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
February 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation2 TIBOUCHINA CLOSE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure81 NORTH BANK ROAD BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Subdivision4 JUGIIL CLOSE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Health services facility; Health InfrastructureRoom 14, 1A Oak st, Bellingen NSW 2454Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation1C RAWSON STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Swimming pool3 FORD STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Swimming pool13 CEDAR COURT BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure19 ROBERT STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
2025· 19 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)7 GEORGE HEWITT CLOSE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)5 GEORGE HEWITT CLOSE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Medical centre; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Health services facility16 CHURCH STREET BELLINGEN 2454Under Assessment
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure115 NORTH BANK ROAD BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 PARK STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 WHISTLER PLACE BELLINGEN NSW 2454Withdrawn
- Demolition; Business premises; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (outdoor); Retail Premise; Food and drink premise10 CHURCH STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (detached); Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)35 WILLIAM STREET BELLINGEN 2454Additional Information Requested
September 2025
- Demolition14 PARK STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah46 FORD STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)12 DILLON CLOSE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool18 HYDES CREEK ROAD BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 PARK STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Health services facility; Health InfrastructureRoom 2, 1A Oak st, Bellingen NSW 2454Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah5 DILLON CLOSE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure44 MCCRISTAL DRIVE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Demolition; Business premises; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure5 HYDE STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Subdivision26 WHISTLER PLACE BELLINGEN 2454Determined
- Subdivision110 WHEATLEY STREET BELLINGEN 2454Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
86 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Libertine LiquorAlcohol
Hyde Street
- Antiques
- BCUATM
- Bellingen Swiss Patisserie & BakeryBakery
- Hearthfire BakeryBakery
- BCUBank
- Commonwealth BankBank
- NABBank
- Bench (5)
- Alternatives BookshopBooks
105 Hyde Street
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
10 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bellingen ParkPark
- Bellingen ShowgroundPark
- Fig Tree ReservePark
- George Edmunds ReservePark
- Hewitt ParkPark
- Jarrett ParkPark
- Jubilee ParkPark
- Maam GaduyingPark
- O'Sullivans ParkPark
- Robert Wolfe ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 8
- Emergency department
- On site
- Bellingen DentalWilliam Streetdentist
- Bellingen Family Medical CentreChurch Streetdoctor
- Bellingen PharmacyHyde Streetpharmacy
- Bellinger River District HospitalChurch Streethospital
- Brad Pearce DentalWilliam Streetdentist
- Panoptic visionoptometrist
- The Healing CentreWilliam Streetdoctor
- Three Rivers HealthChurch Streetdoctor
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Hammond and Wheatley Commercial Emporium69-75 Hyde Street BellingenSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Bellingen Preschoolkindergarten
- Dawn Song Children’s Centrekindergarten
- Over the Rainbow Family Day CareWatson Streetkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 12
- Parks (OSM)
- 12
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 62.2/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 12% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 661st in Australia
- State rank
- 247th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #17 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #34 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Alternatives Bookshopamenities105 Hyde Streetbooks
- Antiquesamenitiesantiques
- Awl Leatheramenities54 Hyde Streetleather
- BCUamenitiesatm
- BCUamenitiesbank
- Belligen Community Marketsamenitiesmarketplace
- Belligen Growers Marketamenitiesmarketplace
- Bellingen BarbershopamenitiesHyde Streethairdresser
- Bellingen Cellarsamenitieswine
- Bellingen Laundretteamenitieslaundry
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Bellingen Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.