Harrington

NSW 2427 • Rest of NSW

3,381
Population (2021)
$24,960
Median Income
32.95 km²
Area
$340/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetiree-HavenQuietRiversidePeaceful

About Harrington

Harrington is a coastal town and popular retirement destination on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast, situated where the Manning River meets the Tasman Sea approximately 18 kilometres east of Taree and around 350 kilometres north of Sydney. The suburb falls within the Mid-Coast Council area and covers a generous 32.9 square kilometres of coastal and estuarine land. With a population of 3,381 and a median age of 64, Harrington is a firmly established retirement community that draws sea-changers and retirees seeking a relaxed coastal pace far from the city.

The town offers a small but functional commercial centre with supermarkets, cafes, and local services, along with Harrington Beach and boat ramps that make it a favourite for fishing, boating, and swimming. The Harrington Waters residential estate has brought newer development to the area, expanding the community while preserving its peaceful coastal character. Public bus services connect residents to Taree, and the surrounding national parks, lakes, and river systems make the area ideal for those seeking a quiet, nature-oriented lifestyle.

Harrington falls under postcode 2427 and is governed by Mid-Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Port Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2427
Urban Area
Taree - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.86°, 152.68°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
32.95 km²
Elevation
4m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Taree (NSW TrainLink)
18 km
N/A – car required

Bus Services

  • Busways Manning Valley services — Taree (Manning Valley area) 25-30 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
335 km
By Train
Drive to Taree (~18km), then NSW TrainLink XPT to Sydney (~4.5 hr total)
By Car (Peak)
4–5 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3.5–4 hr

🛣️ Primarily car-dependent; Pacific Highway is main route to Sydney

Walkability Car-Dependent

Basic errands can be done locally in the village, but most residents rely on a car for shopping and services

🛒 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 Harrington by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Harrington Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$340
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
64 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,033
Census 2021
3,381
11.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$22,828
Income 2021
$24,960
9.3% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,837
Born Overseas 343

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 133
  • 2. New Zealand 35
  • 3. Scotland 18
  • 4. Germany 16
  • 5. Philippines 14
  • 6. United States 13
  • 7. Egypt 9
  • 8. Italy 8
  • 9. Netherlands 8
  • 10. South Africa 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,649
Australian 1,389
Irish 478
Scottish 406
Australian Aboriginal 136
German 136
Italian 44
Dutch 29
Maltese 25
Spanish 20

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,502
Both parents born in Australia
411
Both parents born overseas
300
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
61.0%
No Religion
31.4%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
90 (2.7%)
5-14 years
180 (5.3%)
15-19 years
96 (2.8%)
20-24 years
84 (2.5%)
25-34 years
176 (5.2%)
35-44 years
197 (5.8%)
45-54 years
272 (8.0%)
55-64 years
635 (18.8%)
65-74 years
1,032 (30.5%)
75-84 years
493 (14.6%)
85+ years
136 (4.0%)

Nearby Suburbs