Median house price
$1.2M
+18% change
NSW · Byron Council
Main Arm, 2482
Est. population · Jun 2025
688
Growth (1 yr)
+2.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+9.9%
Median age
45
Median income
$1,403/wk
Employment rate
47.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,200,000
Languages at home
11%non-English
Most common: French, German, Spanish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Main Arm offers a slower smaller community life in Byron Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.
Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses linking the suburb to surrounding areas. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum remain brighter spots.
At a glance
Main Arm snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$708/wk
Population (ERP)
688
+2.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.2%
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
#193
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
53rd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
88th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
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
- 38.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4104th in Australia
- State rank
- 1276th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #193 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #430 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)
- $900
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 46
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,200,000
- Median price change
- +17.6%
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
688(June 2025)
+2.1% annual · +9.9% over 5 years · 88th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.1%
- 5-year growth
- +9.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +14
- Change in 5 years
- +62
- Growth rank in NSW
- 88th 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 (~750), extrapolated at +1.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 640
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,403
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 14 of 194
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 47.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 171 / 6 / 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 49
- Against the person
- 14
- Against property
- 22
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 71.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 46 residents
- State safety percentile
- 52.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +19.8%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions40
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment58
- Malicious Damage To Property47
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault48
- Steal From Motor Vehicle38
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
61 public transport stops in this suburb
- 534 Main Arm Rd
- 766 Main Arm Rd
- 834 Main Arm Rd
- 950 Main Arm Rd
- Main Arm Rd After Durrumbul 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
8 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 1 cafes · 1 supermarkets · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Well connected by public transport — 61 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 59/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.56
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.12
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.56
Food & drink(2)
- Main Arm General Store and CafeCafe
- Main Arm StoreRestaurant
890 Main Arm Road
Shopping(1)
- Main Arm General StoreSupermarket
Community(1)
- Durrumbul Public SchoolSchool
Sport & outdoors(2)
- Park
- Picnic area
Other(2)
- Durrumbul HallDance
- Main Arm Post Office and BoxPost office
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
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
- Byron Central Hospital (18.0 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- 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)
- 16
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 23.3
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
- 29° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 628 mm · ~78 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 552 mm · ~69 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 240 mm · ~30 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 282 mm · ~35 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· 3 proposals
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure963 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation804 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Non-standard Housing950 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Under Assessment
2025· 7 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)804 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation804 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport286 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
August 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Residential AccommodationU 5 6 DURRUMBUL ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
May 2025
- Shed; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia466 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Deferred Commencement
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure832 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation804 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
2024· 11 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure963 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure128 SETTLEMENT ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
- Subdivision84 BLINDMOUTH ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
October 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure1036 THE POCKET ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
September 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Co-living; Non-standard Housing963 Main Arm Road, Main Arm 2482Determined
August 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facility915 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support249 SETTLEMENT ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Operational consent requested
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure154 SETTLEMENT ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Operational consent issued
- Multi-dwelling housing; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia84 BLINDMOUTH ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
April 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation2/46 DURRUMBUL ROAD, MAIN ARMDetermined
February 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure1036 THE POCKET ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
2023· 2 proposals
September 2023
- Dual occupancy135 BLINDMOUTH ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
March 2023
- Other128 SETTLEMENT ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
2022· 7 proposals
August 2022
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces2 MORAN CLOSE MAIN ARM 2482Determined
July 2022
- Dwelling; Dual occupancy804 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
April 2022
- Dual occupancy183 COOPERS LANE WEST MAIN ARM 2482Determined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Farm buildings; Shed195 COOPERS LANE WEST MAIN ARM 2482Deferred Commencement
March 2022
- Other3 46 DURRUMBUL ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
February 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development3 46 DURRUMBUL ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Operational consent issued
January 2022
- Other128 SETTLEMENT ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
2021· 10 proposals
December 2021
- Other963 Main Arm Road, Main Arm 2482Determined
October 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing2/-/DP627619Determined
- Review of determinationCoopers Lane West, Main ArmDetermined
- Other3 46 DURRUMBUL ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Determined
September 2021
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations and additions to residential development; Change of use2 46 DURRUMBUL ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Withdrawn
- Secondary dwelling5 46 DURRUMBUL ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Withdrawn
July 2021
- Dual occupancy; Pools / decks / fencing32 BLINDMOUTH ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Deferred Commencement
June 2021
- Modification ApplicationCoopers Lane West, Main ArmDetermined
May 2021
- Pools / decks / fencinglot 2, coopers lane west, main arm, 2482Determined
February 2021
- Dual occupancy; Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development468 MAIN ARM ROAD MAIN ARM 2482Deferred Commencement
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)
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
- Richmond
- Member of Parliament
- Justine ELLIOT (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 126,814
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.8 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.0%Labor 60.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 11.1 km away).
Coalition 28.0%Labor 72.0%
12.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -1.9 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- BillinudgelLabor 71.0% · Coalition 29.0% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- DurrumbulLabor 73.7% · Coalition 26.3% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- Wilsons CreekLabor 75.4% · Coalition 24.6% TPP (2025)7.0 km away
- MullumbimbyLabor 73.4% · Coalition 26.6% TPP (2025)8.0 km away
- Crabbes CreekLabor 65.9% · Coalition 34.1% 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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 Byron Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.