Wellington

NSW 2820 • Rest of NSW

4,096
Population (2021)
$28,704
Median Income
15.93 km²
Area
$230/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricHeritageAffordable

About Wellington

Wellington is a historic country town situated on the Macquarie River in New South Wales, approximately 360 kilometres north-west of Sydney within the Western Plains Regional Council area. With a population of 4,096, the town serves as a regional hub for the surrounding agricultural and grazing communities of central-western NSW. The median age of 41 and a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community — accounting for around 29% of residents — reflect Wellington's deep roots in the region. Housing is among the most affordable in NSW, with median weekly rents of just $230 and a median household income of $975 per week.

Wellington is best known as the gateway to Wellington Caves, a remarkable network of limestone caverns that draws visitors from across the region and holds significant heritage value. The town centre offers everyday conveniences with both a Coles and Woolworths, along with local shops, schools, and services that support a self-contained community. Several State-listed heritage sites — including the Wellington Convict and Mission Site and the Wellington Post Office — speak to the town's rich colonial and Indigenous history. Its quiet pace, rural character, and strong community ties make it an appealing option for those seeking an affordable country lifestyle in the NSW Central West.

Wellington falls under postcode 2820 and is governed by Western Plains Regional Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Dubbo electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2820
Urban Area
Wellington
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.57°, 148.96°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
15.93 km²
Elevation
354m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink regional coach — Dubbo / Orange / Sydney Approx. 70 min to Dubbo by coach

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
360 km
By Train
No direct train; NSW TrainLink coach to Dubbo then train (total 5–6 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min – 4 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr 20 min – 3 hr 45 min

🛣️ Primarily a car-dependent town; Mitchell Highway connects to Dubbo and Orange

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is walkable for local errands, but most residents rely on a car for regular shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Percy Street Wellington 2820 NSW
  • Woolworths
    81 Arthur Street Wellington 2820 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 6 heritage-listed places in or near Wellington, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

21 Maughan Street Wellington • SHR #01415
Main Western railway, Stuart Town • SHR #01253
University Road, Wellington • SHR #01865
7 Nanima Crescent Wellington • SHR #01867
Curtis Street, Wellington • SHR #01859
Wellington • SHR #02086

🔍 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 Wellington by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Wellington Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$230
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$936
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
41 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
7.9%

80 state housing + 40 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,077
Census 2021
4,096
0.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$23,816
Income 2021
$28,704
20.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,184
Born Overseas 296

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 47
  • 2. New Zealand 33
  • 3. Philippines 31
  • 4. Chile 16
  • 5. Malaysia 11
  • 6. Scotland 11
  • 7. Germany 10
  • 8. China 9
  • 9. France 8
  • 10. India 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,444
English 1,379
Australian Aboriginal 1,052
Irish 359
Scottish 250
German 118
Italian 67
Chinese 57
Dutch 29
Filipino 24

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,912
Both parents born in Australia
357
Both parents born overseas
211
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.9%
No Religion
30.8%
Islam
0.6%
Hinduism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
264 (6.4%)
5-14 years
567 (13.8%)
15-19 years
220 (5.4%)
20-24 years
234 (5.7%)
25-34 years
511 (12.5%)
35-44 years
371 (9.1%)
45-54 years
446 (10.9%)
55-64 years
562 (13.7%)
65-74 years
480 (11.7%)
75-84 years
301 (7.3%)
85+ years
140 (3.4%)

Nearby Suburbs