Terranora

NSW 2486 • Rest of NSW

3,365
Population (2021)
$43,212
Median Income
11.79 km²
Area
$540/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlySemi-RuralHinterlandBorder TownScenic

About Terranora

Terranora is a semi-rural town on the far northern coast of New South Wales, located within the Tweed Shire near the Queensland border. With a population of around 3,365 and a median age of 42, the suburb has a family-oriented character with strong Australian and English heritage — over 82% of residents were born in Australia. Set on elevated terrain with scenic hinterland views, Terranora offers a peaceful alternative to the busier coastal towns of Tweed Heads and the Gold Coast.

Terranora attracts families seeking a quieter lifestyle with easy access to both the Gold Coast and Tweed Coast beaches. The suburb is home to Terranora Public School and the senior campus of Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School. Residents enjoy large blocks, a semi-rural atmosphere, and proximity to the Terranora Creek and surrounding bushland. Notable for its connection to children's author Hesba Fay Brinsmead, the area offers a relaxed, community-minded environment with local sporting fields and nature walks.

Terranora falls under postcode 2486 and is governed by Tweed Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Tweed electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2486
Urban Area
Tweed Heads
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.24°, 153.51°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
11.79 km²
Elevation
150m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 601 — Tweed Heads via Bilambil Heights 15 mins
  • 605 — Coolangatta / Gold Coast Airport 20 mins

Commute to Tweed Heads

Distance
10 km
By Bus
15-25 mins
By Car (Peak)
10-15 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
8-12 mins

🛣️ No train service in the region; Gold Coast light rail accessible from Broadbeach (30 min drive). Most residents drive.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Semi-rural area with limited footpaths; a car is essential for daily errands and commuting

🛒 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 Terranora by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Terranora Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$540
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.5%

0 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,926
Census 2021
3,365
15.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$33,176
Income 2021
$43,212
30.3% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,768
Born Overseas 464

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 133
  • 2. New Zealand 82
  • 3. India 20
  • 4. South Africa 14
  • 5. Canada 13
  • 6. Philippines 13
  • 7. United States 13
  • 8. Netherlands 11
  • 9. Thailand 11
  • 10. Ireland 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,552
Australian 1,389
Irish 480
Scottish 418
German 152
Australian Aboriginal 115
Italian 109
Dutch 60
New Zealander 42
Indian 41

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,187
Both parents born in Australia
548
Both parents born overseas
502
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.8%
No Religion
41.4%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
169 (5.0%)
5-14 years
546 (16.2%)
15-19 years
226 (6.7%)
20-24 years
178 (5.3%)
25-34 years
268 (8.0%)
35-44 years
428 (12.7%)
45-54 years
495 (14.7%)
55-64 years
454 (13.5%)
65-74 years
375 (11.1%)
75-84 years
156 (4.6%)
85+ years
63 (1.9%)

Nearby Suburbs