🔍

Portland

NSW 2847 • Rest of NSW

2,447
Population (2021)
$29,952
Median Income
98.90 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
HistoricAffordableRural

About Portland

Portland is a small historic town in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, situated approximately 180 kilometres west of Sydney and 30 kilometres north-east of Lithgow in the City of Lithgow local government area. The town sits at an elevation of around 950 metres and had a population of 2,447 in the 2021 Census. Portland is widely regarded as Australia's first industrial city, built on the back of its iconic cement industry, and the remnants of the Portland Cement Works are listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Life in Portland revolves around its tight-knit working-class community, with affordable housing, heritage streetscapes, and a relaxed country pace. The town has a strong Indigenous presence, with Australian Aboriginal residents making up a notable portion of the population. Residents access everyday needs through local shops, Portland Central School, and a range of services, while the nearby city of Lithgow provides hospital, retail, and employment facilities. The scenic surroundings of the Central Tablelands — including Lake Lyell — make Portland attractive to those seeking affordable country living within a few hours of Sydney.

Portland falls under postcode 2847 and is governed by Lithgow Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bathurst electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2847
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Lithgow
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Bathurst
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.36°, 149.97°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
98.90 km²
Elevation
949m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Lithgow Station
30 km
N/A – car required

Bus Services

  • 686 — Lithgow 35 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
180 km
By Train
Drive to Lithgow Station (~30 min), then train to Central (~2h)
By Car (Peak)
2h 30min – 3h
By Car (Off-Peak)
2h – 2h 30min

🛣️ Passenger rail to Portland ceased in 1985; Lithgow is the nearest active station on the Blue Mountains/Western line

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre services are walkable for residents near the main street; car required for most trips beyond the town centre and for travel to Lithgow

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 3 heritage-listed places in or near Portland, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Ben Bullen Railway Station group
Wallerawang-Gwabegar railway, Ben Bullen • SHR #01082
Raffan's Mill and Brick Bottle Kilns Precinct
Carlton Road, Portland • SHR #01738
Portland Cement Works Precinct
Williwa Street, Portland • SHR #01739

🔍 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 Portland by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Portland Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,272
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.5%

14 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,424
Census 2021
2,447
▲ 0.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$25,220
Income 2021
$29,952
▲ 18.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,043
Born Overseas 178

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 43
  • 2. New Zealand 25
  • 3. Philippines 11
  • 4. Scotland 11
  • 5. Germany 7
  • 6. Netherlands 7
  • 7. Croatia 6
  • 8. Cambodia 5
  • 9. Italy 5
  • 10. Canada 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,093
Australian 1,010
Irish 307
Scottish 228
Australian Aboriginal 173
German 94
Italian 35
Dutch 24
Maltese 21
Maori 16

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,810
Both parents born in Australia
230
Both parents born overseas
177
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
56.1%
No Religion
32.0%
Buddhism
0.9%
Islam
0.2%
Hinduism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
121 (4.9%)
5-14 years
294 (12.0%)
15-19 years
119 (4.9%)
20-24 years
118 (4.8%)
25-34 years
247 (10.1%)
35-44 years
278 (11.4%)
45-54 years
285 (11.6%)
55-64 years
372 (15.2%)
65-74 years
373 (15.2%)
75-84 years
191 (7.8%)
85+ years
49 (2.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Portland NSW known for? +

Portland NSW is known as Australia's first industrial city, built around its cement manufacturing industry. The Portland Cement Works Precinct is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

How far is Portland NSW from Sydney? +

Portland is approximately 180 kilometres west of Sydney, roughly a 2–2.5 hour drive via the Great Western Highway and Lithgow.

Is there a train to Portland NSW? +

Passenger rail services to Portland ceased in 1985. The nearest active train station is Lithgow, approximately 30 kilometres away, which is served by the Blue Mountains/Western line to Central Station.

What schools are in Portland NSW? +

Portland has Portland Central School (a government K–12 school) and St Joseph's School (a Catholic primary school) serving the local community.

What is the median house price in Portland NSW? +

Portland is one of the more affordable towns in regional NSW. The 2021 Census recorded a median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,272 and a median weekly rent of $250, well below the state average.