Median house price
$460k
+2.2% change
NSW · Forbes Council
Forbes, 2871
Est. population · Jun 2025
8,151
Growth (1 yr)
+0.0%
Growth (5 yr)
-1.9%
Median age
42
Median income
$1,221/wk
Employment rate
53.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$460,000
Languages at home
2.4%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Italian, Malayalam
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Forbes is a quieter established suburb in Forbes Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. 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 and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Buses make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer community and employment compared with similar regional towns, though schools and education remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Forbes snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$408/wk
Houses $435 · Units $210
Population (ERP)
8,151
+0.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
9.7%
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
#48
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
91st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
39th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
21st
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
- 45.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 42% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2919th in Australia
- State rank
- 888th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #48 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #212 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
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 house price (October to December 2025)
- $460,000
- Median price change
- +2.2%
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
8,151(June 2025)
+0.0% annual · -1.9% over 5 years · 39th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.0%
- 5-year growth
- -1.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +3
- Change in 5 years
- -154
- Growth rank in NSW
- 39th 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 (~8,100), extrapolated at -0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- 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)
- 2,805 / 154 / 162 (+ 44 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 1,169
- Against the person
- 239
- Against property
- 508
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 143.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 34 residents
- State safety percentile
- 91.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +35.4%
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 · 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
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 940
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 21th
School list
- Forbes High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 848 · 5th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 287 students · Top SEA quarter 1%View on My School →
- Forbes North Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 818 · 3th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 203 students · Top SEA quarter 3%View on My School →
- Forbes Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 940 · 21th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 356 students · Top SEA quarter 8%View on My School →
- Red Bend Catholic CollegeSecondary · Independent · ICSEA 989 · 42th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 880 students · Top SEA quarter 13%View on My School →
- St Laurence's Parish SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 992 · 43th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 298 students · Top SEA quarter 17%View 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
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 · current · Updated
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 · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
7 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 33 parks mapped in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 1156 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
- 4.05
Other(7)
- The Hunter SculptureArtwork
- Forbes River Meadows Caravan ParkCaravan Site
- Avocet & Stilt HideHunting Stand
- ForbesInformation
- Gum Swamp ReserveNature Reserve
- Gum Swamp Reserve ParkingParking
- Parking
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
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 · current · Updated
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 — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 5
- Nearest hospital
- Lachlan Health Service Forbes (3.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- 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 · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 253
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.0
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
- 32° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 161 mm · ~20 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 136 mm · ~17 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 15° / 4°
- Rainfall
- 125 mm · ~16 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 150 mm · ~19 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· 64 proposals
August 2026
- Subdivision319 CALARIE ROAD FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space9 OAK STREET FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Footpaths - outdoor dining41-45 TEMPLAR STREET FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- Composting facilities and works; Hours of operation and trading192 BACK YAMMA ROAD FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space6 WILLIAM STREET FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- Subdivision239-241 EDWARD STREET FORBES 2871Under Assessment
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 NANCYE PLACE FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 COTTONS LANE FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- Subdivision; Dual occupancy (detached)37 LITTLE WAMBAT STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah19 QUEEN STREET FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Advertising structure1 PARKES ROAD FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure84 REYMOND STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool11-13 REYMOND STREET FORBES 2871Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 CONDOR STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 COLLEGE ROAD FORBES 2871Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Supporting Development153 LACHLAN STREET FORBES 2871Determined
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home10A PRINCE STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 SHOW STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 FORRESTER STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure75 FARRAND STREET FORBES 2871Determined
- 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 2871Withdrawn
- Subdivision54 RIVER ROAD FORBES 2871Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure11 DUNSTAN CLOSE FORBES 2871Determined
- Subdivision30 COLLEGE ROAD FORBES 2871Under Assessment
- 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 structure11 FORRESTER STREET 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 · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Heritage
4 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 · 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
- Parkes
- Member of Parliament
- Jamie CHAFFEY (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 130,841
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 63.0%Labor 37.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 33.0 km away).
Coalition 67.1%Labor 32.9%
4.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- ForbesLabor 34.2% · Coalition 65.8% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- Forbes SouthLabor 29.6% · Coalition 70.4% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- Forbes NorthLabor 38.6% · Coalition 61.4% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
- BedgerabongLabor 14.2% · Coalition 85.8% TPP (2025)30.0 km away
- Parkes SouthLabor 34.9% · Coalition 65.1% TPP (2025)31.3 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 Forbes Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.