🔍

Bangalow

NSW 2479 • Rest of NSW

2,752
Population (2021)
$47,840
Median Income
24.41 km²
Area
$650/wk
Median Rent
Village FeelHeritageCafé CultureFamily-FriendlyHinterland

About Bangalow

Bangalow is a charming small town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, located within Byron Shire approximately 14 kilometres south-west of Byron Bay and 24 kilometres north of Ballina. Situated on Bundjalung Country at an elevation of around 55 metres, the town is home to 2,752 residents with a median age of 40 and a median household income of $2,097 per week — reflecting the influx of professionals, creatives, and families drawn to the Byron Bay hinterland lifestyle. Median weekly rents of $650 signal a competitive and sought-after property market.

Bangalow is celebrated for its beautifully preserved heritage streetscape along Byron Street, its popular monthly community market, and a thriving village atmosphere of independent cafes, boutiques, and artisan galleries. The town offers a quieter, more grounded alternative to Byron Bay, attracting families, sea-changers, and artists who value community character over coastal tourism. Public transport is limited and a car is essential for regional travel, but Bangalow's walkable village centre, quality local schools, and easy access to Byron Bay's beaches make it one of the Northern Rivers' most desirable addresses.

Bangalow falls under postcode 2479 and is governed by Byron Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ballina electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2479
Urban Area
Byron
LGA / Council
Byron
Federal Electorate
Richmond
State Electorate
Ballina
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.68°, 153.52°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
24.41 km²
Elevation
85m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Blanch's Bus Service local routes — Byron Bay and Ballina 20-30 min to Byron Bay

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
765 km
By Train
No direct train service; Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport provides flights to Sydney (approx. 1.5 hours)
By Car (Peak)
8.5-9.5 hours to Sydney; 2-2.5 hours to Brisbane
By Car (Off-Peak)
8-9 hours to Sydney; 1.5-2 hours to Brisbane

🛣️ Pacific Highway provides the main route south to Ballina and north to Brisbane; Byron Bay is 14km east

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The Byron Street village centre is highly walkable with cafes, shops, and services, though a car is needed for travel to Byron Bay, Ballina, or beyond

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Bangalow by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Bangalow Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Bangalow" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$650
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,170
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.9%

5 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,021
Census 2021
2,752
▲ 36.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$35,932
Income 2021
$47,840
▲ 33.1% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,005
Born Overseas 497

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 187
  • 2. New Zealand 78
  • 3. United States 27
  • 4. Germany 18
  • 5. South Africa 18
  • 6. Canada 11
  • 7. Ireland 11
  • 8. Japan 10
  • 9. Netherlands 10
  • 10. France 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,202
Australian 908
Irish 440
Scottish 397
German 129
Italian 104
Dutch 50
Australian Aboriginal 42
French 33
Chinese 26

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,414
Both parents born in Australia
583
Both parents born overseas
464
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
61.3%
Christianity
24.7%
Buddhism
1.0%
Judaism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
200 (7.3%)
5-14 years
416 (15.1%)
15-19 years
125 (4.5%)
20-24 years
100 (3.6%)
25-34 years
289 (10.5%)
35-44 years
433 (15.7%)
45-54 years
424 (15.4%)
55-64 years
329 (12.0%)
65-74 years
270 (9.8%)
75-84 years
99 (3.6%)
85+ years
63 (2.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bangalow known for? +

Bangalow is renowned for its beautifully preserved heritage streetscape along Byron Street, its lively monthly farmers and artisan market, and its reputation as a relaxed, creative village community in the Byron Bay hinterland. It is a popular destination for day-trippers from Byron Bay and a sought-after address for families and sea-changers.

How far is Bangalow from Sydney? +

Bangalow is approximately 765 kilometres north of Sydney by road, making it an 8.5 to 9.5 hour drive. Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport, around 24 kilometres south, offers regular flights to Sydney taking approximately 1.5 hours.

Does Bangalow have public transport? +

Bangalow is served by Blanch's Bus Service with routes connecting to Byron Bay and Ballina, but there is no passenger rail service. A car is the most practical mode of transport for commuting and regional travel.

What is the population of Bangalow? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bangalow has a population of 2,752 residents, with a median age of 40 and a notably high proportion of residents born overseas, reflecting the area's appeal to international and interstate arrivals. The majority identify as non-religious.

Is Bangalow a good place to live? +

Bangalow is widely regarded as one of the Northern Rivers' most desirable villages, offering a welcoming community, heritage charm, and proximity to Byron Bay's beaches and lifestyle. It is particularly suited to families, creatives, and professionals who value village character, though housing and rent costs are high and a car is essential.

What is the postcode for Bangalow? +

The postcode for Bangalow, New South Wales is 2479.