Dorrigo, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Dorrigo NSW is 1,214 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Dorrigo is $560 per week ($29,120 per year). Median rent in Dorrigo is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Dorrigo has a median age of 56 years, older than the national median of 38. Dorrigo has a population density of 30 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Dorrigo is England. The most common religion is No religion (42.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is German. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Dorrigo is $1,300.

There were 20 recorded offences in Dorrigo in 2025-26, a rate of 16 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (9 offences).

Population
1,214
Census 2021
Median income
$560/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$300/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
56years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Dorrigo vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Dorrigo is $560 a week, 27% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,892nd of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $300 a week, $85 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 32.4% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 56, 13 years older than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureDorrigoTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$560/wk$765/wk −27%$766/wk
Household income$925/wk$1,704/wk −46%$1,637/wk
Rent$300/wk$385/wk −22%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,300/mo$1,965/mo −34%$1,733/mo
Median age5643 +13 yrs42
Rent share of household income32.4%22.6% +9.8 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Dorrigo, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Dorrigo Population

1,214 residents at the 2021 Census.

Dorrigo Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$560/wk
$29,120 per year
Ranked 7,607 of 14,663
Median Rent
$300/wk
$1,300 per month
Ranked 4,529 of 14,663
Median Age
56years
18 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,300/mo
Avg household size: 2 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Dorrigo Rent Prices & Affordability

32% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $925/wk
Median rent $300/wk
Rent to income 32.4%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Dorrigo against your income

About $4,008 a month
Median rent $300/wk
Left after rent $625/wk
Rent share 32.4%

Dorrigo Schools

3
schools nearby
2
government
953
avg ICSEA score
251
total students
Mount St John Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 61 students
961
ICSEA
Dorrigo High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 118 students
951
ICSEA
Dorrigo Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 72 students
948
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Dorrigo, with a map

Dorrigo Map

Dorrigo, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Dorrigo

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 46.0% (558) Female 54.0% (655)

Population Density

30
people per km²
1,214 people · 40.5 km²

Households

2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,271
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
4.7%
New Zealand
1.3%
Germany
1.2%
South Africa
0.7%
Wales
0.7%
Malaysia
0.5%
Philippines
0.5%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

German
0.6%
Other Chinese languages
0.5%
Russian
0.2%
Afrikaans
0.0%
Arabic
0.0%
Australian Indigenous Languages
0.0%
Cantonese
0.0%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
48.0%
Australian
41.4%
Irish
12.8%
Scottish
11.1%
German
5.1%
Australian Aboriginal
4.9%
Welsh
1.5%
Chinese
1.3%
Dutch
1.2%
French
0.9%
Italian
0.8%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
42.2%
Anglican
22.3%
Catholic
9.9%
Not stated
9.3%
Uniting Church
5.3%
Christian (other)
2.5%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.7%
Pentecostal
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

5.5%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
44.7% 466
Separated
4.2% 44
Divorced
14.7% 153
Widowed
9.5% 99
Never married
26.9% 280

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
44.7%
Couple: children under 15
29.5%
One parent: children under 15
9.6%
Couple: no children under 15
9.2%
One parent: no children under 15
7.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
38.8%
2 persons
38.1%
3 persons
10.3%
4 persons
7.9%
5 persons
4.0%
6+ persons
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Dorrigo

Housing Tenure

Of the 545 occupied private dwellings in Dorrigo at the 2021 Census, 21.1% were rented, 55.0% owned outright and 20.6% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.6% 3 dwellings
Owned outright
55.0% 300 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
20.6% 112 dwellings
Rented
21.1% 115 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.1% 6 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
97.9%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
3.4%
2 bedrooms
19.8%
3 bedrooms
53.3%
4 bedrooms
19.7%
5 bedrooms
2.8%
6+ bedrooms
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
11.1%
$300-$449/mo
2.8%
$450-$599/mo
2.8%
$600-$799/mo
4.6%
$800-$999/mo
9.3%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
33.3%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
19.4%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
13.0%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
6.7%
1 vehicle
43.8%
2 vehicles
33.8%
3 vehicles
10.4%
4+ vehicles
5.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Dorrigo

Employment

Employed full-time
22.6% 211 people
Employed part-time
20.1% 187 people
Unemployed
1.9% 18 people
Not in labour force
55.4% 516 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
25.3%
Managers
16.1%
Community & Personal Service
12.6%
Clerical & Administrative
12.3%
Technicians & Trade Workers
11.9%
Labourers
10.2%
Sales Workers
7.7%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.0%
$1-$149/wk
2.2%
$150-$299/wk
1.8%
$300-$399/wk
5.4%
$400-$499/wk
14.1%
$500-$649/wk
8.0%
$650-$799/wk
11.1%
$800-$999/wk
10.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.4%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
7.0%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
4.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.8%
$4,000+/wk
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
8.3%
$1-$149/wk
5.0%
$150-$299/wk
10.0%
$300-$399/wk
6.5%
$400-$499/wk
7.8%
$500-$649/wk
6.3%
$650-$799/wk
16.2%
$800-$999/wk
12.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
2.6%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
3.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.1%
$3,500+/wk
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
69.9%
Did not go to work
9.5%
Walked only
8.4%
Car (passenger)
6.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.6%
Bicycle
1.6%
Other
1.6%
Truck
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
45.7%
Year 10 or equivalent
32.9%
Year 9 or equivalent
12.2%
Year 11 or equivalent
9.2%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
45.3%
Bachelor Degree
19.5%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.1%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
8.2%
Postgraduate Degree
6.2%
Certificate I/II
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Engineering
17.4%
Health
15.9%
Society & Culture
14.8%
Management & Commerce
14.4%
Education
10.7%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.5%
Architecture & Building
7.4%
Agriculture & Environment
5.6%
Creative Arts
4.1%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
28.6%
Secondary: Government
24.2%
Primary: Catholic
14.3%
Vocational Education
14.3%
Pre-school
12.1%
Secondary: Catholic
4.9%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
85.7%
Has need for assistance
7.8%
Need for assistance not stated
6.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
124
Arthritis
58
Lung condition
58
Heart disease
52
Diabetes
46
Asthma
43
Kidney disease
28
Cancer
22
Stroke
17
Dementia
14

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
15.8% 153
Did not provide
84.2% 815

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
29.6% 291
Not a volunteer
70.4% 691

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
4.5% 44
Never served
95.5% 933

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
24.9%
1 child
10.8%
2 children
33.8%
3 children
21.0%
4 children
7.6%
5+ children
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
4
1951: 1960
9
1961: 1970
31
1971: 1980
22
1981: 1990
29
1991: 2000
5
2001: 2010
18
2011: 2015
12
2019
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

12.4%
moved in the last year
40.4%
moved in the last 5 years
3.7%
unemployment rate (Census)
44.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
984
Moved from NSW
64
Moved: same area (SA2)
60
Moved from QLD
10

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
16.7%
5: 14 hours
27.4%
15: 29 hours
22.8%
30+ hours
11.9%
Did not do domestic work
21.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
84.1%
Step family: no other children
8.5%
Blended family: no other children
7.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Dorrigo Crime Statistics

20 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
9
Other Against Property
4
Property Damage
3
Assault
2
Other Against Person
2

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Frequently Asked Questions About Dorrigo

What is the population of Dorrigo NSW?

The population of Dorrigo NSW is 1,214 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 30 people per km². Dorrigo is ranked #3,681 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Dorrigo?

The median personal income in Dorrigo NSW is $560 per week, or $29,120 per year. The median household income is $925 per week. Family income is $1,271 per week. Dorrigo is ranked #7,607 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Dorrigo?

Median rent in Dorrigo NSW is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Rent represents 32.4% of household income, which is considered moderate. Dorrigo ranks #4,529 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Dorrigo?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Dorrigo NSW is $1,300. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Dorrigo?

The median age in Dorrigo NSW is 56 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Dorrigo a good suburb to live in?

Dorrigo is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 1,214. The median income is $560/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (32.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 11280. All dollar figures in AUD.