Lawrence

NSW 2460 • Rest of NSW

1,159
Population (2021)
$26,312
Median Income
132.36 km²
Area
$330/wk
Median Rent
RuralRiversideRetiree-HavenQuietHistoric

About Lawrence

Lawrence is a rural locality situated on the Clarence River floodplain in the Clarence Valley, approximately 25 kilometres north-east of Grafton in northern New South Wales. Administered by the Clarence Valley Council, the locality covers a large 132 square kilometres of river flats, farmland, and wetlands with a population of 1,159. With a median age of 54, Lawrence has one of the older demographic profiles in the region, reflective of its appeal to long-established families and retirees drawn to the peaceful riverside environment.

Lawrence is a quiet riverside community centred on the small historic township of the same name, situated on the northern bank of the Clarence River and known for the iconic Lawrence Ferry, a flat-top vehicular ferry that has operated across the river for generations. Grafton provides the nearest comprehensive services including hospitals, secondary schools, and commercial shopping, accessible by road in approximately 30–40 minutes. With its serene river setting, cattle grazing landscapes, and strong sense of local heritage, Lawrence appeals to retirees, rural property owners, and those seeking a genuinely quiet country lifestyle in the Clarence Valley.

Lawrence falls under postcode 2460 and is governed by Clarence Valley Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Clarence electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2460
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-29.44°, 153.08°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
132.36 km²
Elevation
11m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Grafton 35-45 min

Commute to Grafton CBD

Distance
25 km
By Train
No direct service; Grafton station (~25 km) on the NSW North Coast Line
By Car (Peak)
30-40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-35 min

🛣️ Car essential; Lawrence Ferry connects to the southern bank of the Clarence River; Pacific Highway accessible via Grafton

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for all daily errands in this rural riverside locality with no walkable retail or 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 Lawrence by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Lawrence Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$330
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,333
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
54 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,046
Census 2021
1,159
10.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$23,140
Income 2021
$26,312
13.7% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 975
Born Overseas 88

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 35
  • 2. New Zealand 16
  • 3. Germany 5
  • 4. United States 5
  • 5. Netherlands 4
  • 6. Zimbabwe 4
  • 7. Chile 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 532
English 516
Scottish 157
Irish 139
Australian Aboriginal 69
German 33
Italian 11
Spanish 8
Dutch 5
New Zealander 5

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

866
Both parents born in Australia
97
Both parents born overseas
104
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
47.3%
No Religion
42.1%
Buddhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
68 (5.9%)
5-14 years
124 (10.7%)
15-19 years
45 (3.9%)
20-24 years
33 (2.8%)
25-34 years
96 (8.3%)
35-44 years
93 (8.0%)
45-54 years
128 (11.0%)
55-64 years
185 (16.0%)
65-74 years
224 (19.3%)
75-84 years
136 (11.7%)
85+ years
26 (2.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lawrence known for? +

Lawrence is known for its historic setting on the Clarence River, including the iconic Lawrence Ferry — a flat-top vehicular ferry that crosses the river — and its peaceful pastoral and wetland landscapes typical of the Clarence Valley.

How far is Lawrence from Grafton? +

Lawrence is approximately 25 kilometres north-east of Grafton, the major regional centre of the Clarence Valley, accessible by road in around 30–40 minutes.

Does Lawrence have public transport? +

Lawrence has very limited regional bus services to Grafton and no rail connection. A private vehicle is essential. The nearest train station is Grafton, approximately 25 kilometres away on the NSW North Coast Line.

What is the population of Lawrence? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lawrence has a population of 1,159 residents spread across a large rural area of 132 square kilometres on the Clarence River floodplain.

Is Lawrence a good place to live? +

Lawrence is well-suited to retirees, rural property owners, and those seeking a genuinely quiet country lifestyle. It offers a scenic riverside environment, low-density living, and a strong sense of local heritage, though all services require travel to Grafton.

What is the postcode for Lawrence? +

The postcode for Lawrence is 2460, which it shares with Grafton and surrounding localities in the Clarence Valley region of northern NSW.