Median house price
$570k
-18% change
NSW · Bellingen Council
Dorrigo, 2453
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,226
Growth (1 yr)
+0.6%
Growth (5 yr)
-0.3%
Median age
56
Median income
$925/wk
Employment rate
42.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$570,000
Languages at home
3.9%non-English
Most common: German
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Dorrigo is a quieter smaller community in Bellingen Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.
Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible. Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state.
Reported crime has been falling recently. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
The desirability picture is around average, weighed down by softer community and employment relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Dorrigo snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
1,226
+0.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
12.4%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#53
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
14th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
51st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
25th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 48.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 33% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2373rd in Australia
- State rank
- 708th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #53 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #134 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $570,000
- Median price change
- -18.3%
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
1,226(June 2025)
+0.6% annual · -0.3% over 5 years · 51th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.6%
- 5-year growth
- -0.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +7
- Change in 5 years
- -4
- Growth rank in NSW
- 51th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,200), extrapolated at -0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,214
- Median age
- 56
- Median household income / week
- $925
- Dwelling vacancy
- 12.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 77 of 619
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 42.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 509 / 16 / 8 (+ 7 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 44
- Against the person
- 15
- Against property
- 21
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 35.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 81 residents
- State safety percentile
- 14.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -16.8%
Most common offence types
- Arson12
- Break And Enter Dwelling12
- Domestic Violence Related Assault13
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment13
- Malicious Damage To Property15
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 951
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 25th
School list
- Dorrigo High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 951 · 25th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 118 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Dorrigo Preschoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
69 public transport stops in this suburb
- Dorrigo High School, Waterfall Way
- Mt St John's Primary School, Karabin St
- Oak St After Waterfall Way
- Waterfall Way After Dome Rd
- Waterfall Way Opp Dome Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 7 parks mapped in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 69 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 5.77
Entertainment(2)
- Dorrigo Steam Railway & MuseumMuseum
- Stream train lookoutViewpoint
Other(1)
- Beyer Garratt AD6039Attraction
Dorrigo
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
6 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bielsdown Nature ParkPark
- Coronation ParkPark
- Dorrigo Sporting ComplexPark
- Park or reserveNature reserve
- Trooper Mark Donaldson VC ParkPark
- Wheaton ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 11
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 4
- Nearest hospital
- Dorrigo Multi-Purpose Service (2.5 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Dorrigo CWA & Child Family Health ClinicYes
- Dorrigo Health & Wellbeing ServiceGangara AvenueDoctor
- Dorrigo Multi-Purpose ServiceBeech StreetHospital
- Dorrigo Plateau PharmacyPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 36
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 29.4
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 19°
- Rainfall
- 504 mm · ~63 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 522 mm · ~65 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 199 mm · ~25 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 270 mm · ~34 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 9 proposals
August 2026
- Dwelling house; Subdivision23 BEECH STREET DORRIGO 2453Under Assessment
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation4410/-/DP1326380Determined
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Rainwater tanks144 WHISKY CREEK ROAD DORRIGO 2453Determined
April 2026
- Attached dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Rainwater tanks73 MYRTLE STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
March 2026
- Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure397 OLD COAST ROAD DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure17 OLD CORAMBA ROAD SOUTH DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure57 HICKORY STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise4180 WATERFALL WAY DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport55 MYRTLE STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
2025· 15 proposals
October 2025
- Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Playground equipment; Rainwater tanks; Business identification sign; Car park; Artisan food and drink industry1 CUDGERY STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport18 MYRTLE STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24 GUM STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
September 2025
- Temporary building, structure or use; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing313 OLD COAST ROAD DORRIGO 2453Additional Information Requested
July 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Rainwater tanks144 WHISKY CREEK ROAD DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 CASSIA CLOSE DORRIGO 2453Determined
June 2025
- Subdivision10 OAK STREET DORRIGO 2453Under Assessment
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4520 WATERFALL WAY DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Subdivision20 ASH STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 SUMMIT CLOSE DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation7 CASSIA CLOSE, DORRIGO NSW 2453Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support147 WHISKY CREEK ROAD DORRIGO 2453Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Subdivision23 BEECH STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 SUMMIT CLOSE DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home24 GUM STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
2024· 12 proposals
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool3 TAMARIND AVENUE DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 GUM STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 ELM AVENUE DORRIGO 2453Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 PINE STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
June 2024
- Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise53 HICKORY STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
May 2024
- Shed; Temporary building, structure or use37 HICKORY STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Subdivision7 TAMARIND AVENUE DORRIGO 2453Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure24 GUM STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition1 CUDGERY STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Subdivision23 BEECH STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space3 cedar st dorrigoDetermined
February 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation18 KURRAJONG STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
2023· 6 proposals
December 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure27 DORRIGO STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 TAMARIND AVENUE DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure95 HICKORY STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
October 2023
- Entertainment facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure36 HICKORY STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
- Subdivision18 BIELSDOWN STREET DORRIGO 2453Determined
August 2023
- Dwelling24 TAMARIND AVENUE DORRIGO 2453Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Heritage
1 heritage place
- 10 Class Steam Locomotives2 Tallowood Street, DorrigoSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Cowper
- Member of Parliament
- Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,639
- Turnout (2025)
- 90.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +0.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.1%Labor 40.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 32.8 km away).
Coalition 54.3%Labor 45.7%
4.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- DorrigoLabor 45.0% · Coalition 55.0% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- ThoraLabor 62.4% · Coalition 37.6% TPP (2025)13.4 km away
- GlenifferLabor 57.1% · Coalition 42.9% TPP (2025)19.2 km away
- BellingenLabor 68.5% · Coalition 31.5% TPP (2025)23.5 km away
- Bellingen NorthLabor 69.1% · Coalition 30.9% TPP (2025)24.7 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Bellingen Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.