NSW · Forbes Council
Forbes, 2871
Current weather
13.4°CClear sky
63% humidity · 17.5 km/h wind · 17° / 9.7° today · 1.4 mm rain
Desirability score
- Top transport
- Parks
- Affordable
- Schools
- Regional
Suburb profile
Forbes is a quieter established suburb in Forbes, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Set in the wider countryside, it offers distance from the capital and a strong sense of place. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety against similar regional towns, even with parks and green space and growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 8,157
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,221
- Dwelling vacancy
- 9.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 342 of 3,508
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,257
- Employment rate
- 53.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 277 / 154 / 162
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 · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $210
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $435
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $408
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 64
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 tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 1,169
- Against the person
- 239
- Against property
- 508
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 143.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 34 residents
- State safety percentile
- 90.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +35.4%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault75
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment81
- Malicious Damage To Property125
- Prohibited And Regulated Weapons Offences90
- Steal From Motor Vehicle96
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 · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 940
- Forbes High SchoolSecondary
- Forbes North Public SchoolPrimary
- Forbes Public SchoolPrimary
- Red Bend Catholic CollegeSecondary
- St Laurence's Parish SchoolPrimary
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 · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
1,156 public transport stops in this suburb
- Crouch St At Dawson St
- Forbes Station, Coach Stop
- Newell Hwy Opp Bareenong Rd
- Newell Hwy Opp Gullifers Rd
- Newell Hwy Opp Rest Area
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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
683 planning-related records
2026· 40 proposals
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 FORRESTER STREET FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure75 FARRAND STREET FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation; Agriculture144 SALISBURY ROAD FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Stock and sale yard192 BACK YAMMA ROAD FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation4615 HENRY LAWSON WAY FORBES 2871Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing50 FARRAND STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool27 CHURCH STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Erection of a new structure; General industry812 NEWELL HIGHWAY FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision54 RIVER ROAD FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure11 DUNSTAN CLOSE FORBES 2871Determined
- Subdivision30 COLLEGE ROAD FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)21 QUEEN STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool9 WAMBAT STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Fences; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development16 BATHURST STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure101 FERRY STREET FORBES 2871Determined
April 2026
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)62 WAMBAT STREET FORBES 2871Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure23 YOUNG STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 SCENIC DRIVE FORBES 2871Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Funeral home2-4 OXFORD STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Subdivision87 SAM STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 BEDGERABONG ROAD FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure144 RANKIN STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure59 FERRY STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 FARRAND STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 FORRESTER STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 FORRESTER STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Subdivision25-29 CLARENCE STREET FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- Demolition; Subdivision24 BOGAN GATE ROAD FORBES 2871Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Rural industry; Composting facilities and works14 WALKER DRIVE FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation11 BLACK STREET FORBES 2871Determined
February 2026
- Subdivision235 RIVER ROAD FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure40 FEDERATION BOULEVARD FORBES 2871Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)78 REYMOND STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure42 FEDERATION BOULEVARD FORBES NSW 2871Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)37 LITTLE WAMBAT STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Recreation areaJUNCTION STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care; Hours of operation and trading9 ATTLEE STREET FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry10 TOBIAS STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation21 GRENFELL STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1466 YARRABANDAI ROAD FORBES 2871Determined
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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
2 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Avocet & Stilt HideHunting Stand
- Gum Swamp Reserve ParkingParking
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
34 parks and public open space in this suburb
- 9 Mile ReservePark
- Albion ParkPark
- Alma Sharp ParkPark
- Andrew Peet Memorial ParkPark
- Apex ParkPark
- Bridgette Duckworth ParkPark
- Carrington GardensPark
- Clematis ParkPark
- Colin McKenzie ParkPark
- Crippen ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 5
- Emergency department
- On site
- Bernardi'spharmacy
- Flannery's PharmacyRankin Streetpharmacy
- Forbes Physiotherapy & Allied Health CentreSpring Streetclinic
- Lachlan Health Service Forbeshospital
- Thomas W T Colealternative
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
4 state heritage places
- Forbes Post Office118 Lachlan Street ForbesSHR
- Forbes Railway Station groupParkes-Stockinbingal railway ForbesSHR
- The Ben Hall Sites - Ben Hall's Death SiteBen Halls Road, YarragongSHR
- The Ben Hall Sites - Grave of Ben HallVarious , ForbesSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Forbes Learning Ladderkindergarten
- Forbes PreschoolBarton Streetkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 37
- Parks (OSM)
- 33
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 47.7/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 31% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2048th in Australia
- State rank
- 649th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #61 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #144 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime75
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime81
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime125
- Prohibited And Regulated Weapons Offencescrime90
- Steal From Motor Vehiclecrime96
- Crouch St At Dawson Sttransport
- Forbes Station, Coach Stoptransport
- Newell Hwy Opp Bareenong Rdtransport
- Newell Hwy Opp Gullifers Rdtransport
- Newell Hwy Opp Rest Areatransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Forbes Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.