Forbes
NSW 2871 • Rest of NSW
About Forbes
Forbes is a historic country town in the Central West region of New South Wales, located on the banks of the Lachlan River approximately 374 kilometres west of Sydney. With a population of around 8,160, it is one of the larger towns in the region and serves as the seat of the Forbes Shire Council. Established during the gold rush of 1861, the town is named after Sir Francis Forbes, the first Chief Justice of NSW. Forbes has a predominantly Australian-born population with a strong agricultural and rural character.
Forbes offers a relaxed regional lifestyle with a rich heritage reflected in its beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture including the 1880 courthouse and Federation-style buildings. The town hosts popular annual events including the Forbes Show and the Lachlan Vintage Village Festival. Lake Forbes provides recreational opportunities, while McFeeters Motor Museum and the Ben Hall bushranger history draw tourists. The main street features a good range of shops, cafes, supermarkets, and services. Families and tree-changers are attracted by affordable housing, strong community bonds, and proximity to larger centres like Parkes and Orange.
Forbes falls under postcode 2871 and is governed by Forbes Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Orange electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- NSW TrainLink Coach — Parkes 30 mins
- NSW TrainLink Coach — Orange / Bathurst 1 hour 45 mins
Commute to Sydney
🛣️ Nearest regional centre is Parkes (33 km). Located on Newell Highway, well-connected by road to Melbourne-Brisbane corridor.
Town centre along Lachlan Street is walkable with shops and services; residential areas require a car
Supermarkets Nearby
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Woolworths134 Rankin Street Forbes 2871 NSW
Schools
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North Condobolin Rd
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Bedgerabong-Burcher Rd
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Forbes High School ICSEA 84818 Wyndham Ave
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Forbes North Public School ICSEA 818Thomson & Facey Sts
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Forbes Public School ICSEA 940Browne & Lachlan Sts
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College Road
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2 Dalton Street
Heritage-Listed Places
There are 4 heritage-listed places in or near Forbes, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
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 Forbes by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Forbes Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Forbes" under Suburb
Housing 2021 Census
134 state housing + 19 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Income Comparison
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. England 76
- 2. New Zealand 38
- 3. India 34
- 4. Philippines 26
- 5. China 17
- 6. South Africa 16
- 7. Scotland 15
- 8. Nepal 12
- 9. Sri Lanka 11
- 10. Netherlands 9
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)