🔍

Molong

NSW 2866 • Rest of NSW

2,595
Population (2021)
$37,804
Median Income
420.99 km²
Area
$270/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRuralFamily-FriendlyAffordable

About Molong

Molong is a historic country town in the Cabonne local government area of central-western New South Wales, situated on the Mitchell Highway approximately 37 kilometres northwest of Orange and 3.5 hours' drive from Sydney. Set at an elevation of 585 metres on the Central Tablelands, the town was officially gazetted in 1849 and has a population of around 2,595 according to the 2021 Census. It serves as the administrative seat of Cabonne Council and is the commercial hub for the surrounding agricultural district.

Molong is celebrated for its historic streetscapes, stone buildings, and vibrant arts community. The town is home to a number of heritage-listed buildings dating from the mid-19th century, reflecting its long history as a pastoral and agricultural centre. Local amenities include primary and secondary schools, a hospital, supermarkets, and a library. The surrounding district produces wool, wheat, canola, and cattle, and the town hosts a popular annual show and various community events. Molong is increasingly attracting tree-changers from Sydney and Orange who are drawn by affordable housing, a welcoming community, and a relaxed pace of life.

Molong falls under postcode 2866 and is governed by Cabonne Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Orange electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2866
Urban Area
Blayney - Cabonne
LGA / Council
Cabonne
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Orange
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.12°, 148.87°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
420.99 km²
Elevation
585m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Orange Station
37 km
N/A — car required

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach service — Orange / Dubbo / Sydney Approx 45 min to Orange, 3.5 hrs to Sydney

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
280 km
By Train
Drive to Orange (37 km), then approx 3 hrs by train to Central
By Car (Peak)
Approx 3.5 hrs via the Great Western Hwy
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx 3 hrs via the Great Western Hwy

🛣️ Orange (37 km south-east) is the nearest regional city with full services and a train station on the NSW TrainLink Western Line.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Molong's compact town centre is walkable for daily errands, with shops, the library, and schools within a short walk for residents near the main street. Car travel is needed for inter-city trips.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 4 heritage-listed places in or near Molong, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Grave of Yuranigh
3km SE of Molong Yuranigh Road Molong • SHR #01713
Molong Railway Station and yard group
Main Western railway, Molong • SHR #01196
Amusu Theatre
17 Derowie Street Manildra • SHR #01308
Nubrygyn Inn and Cemetery
2531 Euchareena Road, Euchareena NSW • SHR #01976

🔍 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 Molong by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Molong Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$270
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,600
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.7%

4 state housing + 12 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,577
Census 2021
2,595
▲ 0.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$30,212
Income 2021
$37,804
▲ 25.1% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,239
Born Overseas 120

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 41
  • 2. New Zealand 20
  • 3. South Africa 15
  • 4. Bosnia & Herzegovina 6
  • 5. Zimbabwe 6
  • 6. Italy 5
  • 7. Wales 5
  • 8. Germany 4
  • 9. South Korea 3
  • 10. Philippines 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,231
English 1,084
Irish 332
Scottish 270
Australian Aboriginal 164
German 96
Dutch 32
Italian 30
Maltese 21
Welsh 20

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,016
Both parents born in Australia
156
Both parents born overseas
197
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
63.0%
No Religion
27.2%
Buddhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
135 (5.2%)
5-14 years
388 (15.0%)
15-19 years
164 (6.3%)
20-24 years
147 (5.7%)
25-34 years
223 (8.6%)
35-44 years
285 (11.0%)
45-54 years
305 (11.8%)
55-64 years
358 (13.8%)
65-74 years
299 (11.5%)
75-84 years
203 (7.8%)
85+ years
90 (3.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Molong NSW? +

Molong is a country town in central-western NSW, located 37 km northwest of Orange on the Mitchell Highway, at an elevation of 585 metres on the Central Tablelands.

What is the population of Molong? +

Molong had a population of 2,595 according to the 2021 Census, making it the largest town in the Cabonne local government area.

What schools are in Molong? +

Molong has a public primary school (Molong Central School) and secondary schooling on the same campus, making it a K-12 central school. There are also Catholic primary school options nearby.

How far is Molong from Sydney? +

Molong is approximately 280 km west of Sydney, about a 3 to 3.5 hour drive via the Great Western Highway. It is 37 km northwest of Orange, which has a train station.

What is Molong known for? +

Molong is known for its well-preserved historic streetscape, 19th-century stone buildings, agricultural heritage, and as the administrative centre of Cabonne Council. It is increasingly popular with tree-changers from Sydney.