Median house price
$1.05M
-5.8% change
NSW · Bellingen Council
Fernmount, 2454
Est. population · Jun 2025
444
Growth (1 yr)
+0.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+1.4%
Median age
46
Median income
$1,784/wk
Employment rate
54.4%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,050,000
Languages at home
3.9%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Fernmount is a hillside smaller community in Bellingen Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with plenty of young families in the mix. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself.
Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because growth momentum, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Fernmount snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$600/wk
Population (ERP)
444
+0.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.3%
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
#349
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
30th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
48th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
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
- 32.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5151st in Australia
- State rank
- 1659th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #349 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #683 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $630
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 39
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,050,000
- Median price change
- -5.8%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
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 · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
444(June 2025)
+0.5% annual · +1.4% over 5 years · 48th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.5%
- 5-year growth
- +1.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- +6
- Growth rank in NSW
- 48th 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 (~450), extrapolated at +0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 444
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $1,784
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 8 of 152
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,833
- Employment rate
- 54.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 144 / 0 / 0
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)
- 22
- Against the person
- 8
- Against property
- 9
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 49.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 56 residents
- State safety percentile
- 29.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -8.1%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault39
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment53
- Malicious Damage To Property66
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault42
- Other Offences62
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
Public transport
16 public transport stops in this suburb
- Fernmount Rural Fire Brigade, Hyde St
- Hyde St Before Waterfall Way
- Mount St Before Henry Boultwood Dr
- Mount St Opp McDougall Pl
- Waterfall Way At Maydwell St
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
16 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
5 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 1 parks mapped in suburb
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 16 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 24/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.25
Sport & outdoors(7)
- Burdett ParkPark
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (5)
Other(7)
- Bellingen Canoe AdventuresBoat Rental
4 Tyson Street
- Burdett ParkCamp Site
- Fernmount Rural Fire StationFire station
25 Hyde Street, Fernmount
- Parking (2)
- Public toilets
- Shelter (2)
- Telephone
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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Burdett ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- Nearest hospital
- Bellinger River District Hospital (5.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
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)
- 15
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 33.8
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· 1 proposal
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 71 Cross Street Fernmount NSW 2454Under Assessment
2025· 3 proposals
September 2025
- Subdivision23 OLD BRIERFIELD ROAD FERNMOUNT 2454Under Assessment
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure383 WATERFALL WAY FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development54 MCDOUGALL PLACE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
2024· 9 proposals
October 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Tourist and visitor accommodation221 OLD BRIERFIELD ROAD FERNMOUNT 2454Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 SHERIDAN CLOSE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
July 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Rural industry; Agricultural produce industry383 WATERFALL WAY FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development54 MCDOUGALL PLACE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure171 MOUNT STREET FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
June 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia49 HENRY BOULTWOOD DRIVE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure383 WATERFALL WAY FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
- Subdivision70 HENRY BOULTWOOD DRIVE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
February 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure52 MOUNT STREET FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
2023· 5 proposals
May 2023
- Dwelling21 BAKER STREET FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
March 2023
- Subdivision of land864 WATERFALL WAY FERNMOUNT 2454Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling169 MOUNT STREET FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
January 2023
- Dwelling21 SHERIDAN CLOSE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
- Shed34 Sheridan Close, Fernmount 2454Determined
2022· 11 proposals
October 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development211 MAYDWELL STREET FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
August 2022
- Farm buildings9 Old Brierfield RoadDetermined
- Dwelling69A PULSFORD PLACE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing208 MOUNT STREET FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
July 2022
- Dwelling31 SHERIDAN CLOSE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development57 SWEEDMANS LANE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
June 2022
- Dwelling15 HYDE STREET FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
May 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing57 MCDOUGALL PLACE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
March 2022
- Secondary dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Earthworks / change in levels; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed45 HENRY BOULTWOOD DRIVE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
- Dwelling; Shed32 SHERIDAN CLOSE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
January 2022
- Dwelling180 MOUNT STREET FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
2021· 4 proposals
December 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing57 MCDOUGALL PLACE FERNMOUNT 2454Withdrawn
November 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing22 BENNETT ROAD FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
July 2021
- Dwelling69A PULSFORD PLACE FERNMOUNT 2454Determined
- Secondary dwelling91 OLD BRIERFIELD ROAD FERNMOUNT 2454Under Assessment
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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksWaterfall Way, Nicholson Street19 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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 13.7 km away).
Coalition 40.0%Labor 60.0%
19.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +0.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Bellingen NorthLabor 69.1% · Coalition 30.9% TPP (2025)4.2 km away
- BellingenLabor 68.5% · Coalition 31.5% TPP (2025)5.5 km away
- RaleighLabor 38.6% · Coalition 61.4% TPP (2025)7.1 km away
- UrungaLabor 46.2% · Coalition 53.8% TPP (2025)7.6 km away
- ReptonLabor 65.8% · Coalition 34.2% TPP (2025)8.8 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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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.