Lismore, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Lismore NSW is 3,656 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Lismore is $598 per week ($31,096 per year). Median rent in Lismore is $280 per week ($1,213 per month). Lismore has a median age of 41 years, older than the national median of 38. Lismore has a population density of 995 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Lismore is England. The most common religion is No religion (45.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Nepali. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lismore is $1,300.

There were 511 recorded offences in Lismore in 2025-26, a rate of 140 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against property (168 offences).

Population
3,656
Census 2021
Median income
$598/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$280/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
41years
Census 2021

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

Lismore vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Lismore is $598 a week, 22% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,765th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $280 a week, $105 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 27.1% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 41, 2 years younger 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.
MeasureLismoreTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$598/wk$765/wk −22%$766/wk
Household income$1,035/wk$1,704/wk −39%$1,637/wk
Rent$280/wk$385/wk −27%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,300/mo$1,965/mo −34%$1,733/mo
Median age4143 −2 yrs42
Rent share of household income27.1%22.6% +4.5 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 Lismore, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Lismore Population

3,656 residents at the 2021 Census.

Lismore Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$598/wk
$31,096 per year
Ranked 7,124 of 14,663
Median Rent
$280/wk
$1,213 per month
Ranked 5,374 of 14,663
Median Age
41years
3 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,300/mo
Avg household size: 2.1 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Lismore Rent Prices & Affordability

27% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,035/wk
Median rent $280/wk
Rent to income 27.1%

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

Median rent in Lismore against your income

About $4,485 a month
Median rent $280/wk
Left after rent $755/wk
Rent share 27.1%

Lismore Schools

16
schools nearby
8
government
972
avg ICSEA score
4,627
total students
St Carthage's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 580 students
1064
ICSEA
St John's College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 774 students
1059
ICSEA
Trinity Catholic College Lismore Independent
Secondary · 7-12 · 816 students
1055
ICSEA
Living School Independent
Combined · K-12 · 313 students
1037
ICSEA
Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 189 students
1001
ICSEA
Lismore Heights Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 203 students
973
ICSEA
The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 494 students
950
ICSEA
Albert Park Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 102 students
950
ICSEA
Wyrallah Road Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 350 students
947
ICSEA
The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 438 students
934
ICSEA
Wilson Park School Government
Combined · U · 83 students
902
ICSEA
Lismore South Public School Government
Primary · P-6 · 106 students
898
ICSEA
Lismore Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 179 students
871
ICSEA
Trinity Catholic College Lismore, St Joseph's Campus Independent
Secondary
Living School - Southern Cross University Campus Independent
Combined

Showing 15 of 16 schools.

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

All schools near Lismore, with a map

Lismore Map

Lismore, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
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People in Lismore

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.4% (1,808) Female 50.6% (1,850)

Population Density

995
people per km²
3,656 people · 3.7 km²

Households

2.1
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,465
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
2.5%
New Zealand
1.3%
Philippines
0.6%
Nepal
0.5%
Germany
0.4%
United States of America
0.4%
Scotland
0.3%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Nepali
0.5%
Thai
0.4%
Italian
0.3%
Spanish
0.3%
Mandarin
0.3%
Australian Indigenous Languages
0.2%
Cantonese
0.2%

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

Ancestry

Australian
38.1%
English
37.6%
Irish
13.7%
Scottish
12.1%
Australian Aboriginal
6.3%
German
4.8%
Italian
3.3%
Dutch
1.0%
Filipino
1.0%
Chinese
0.9%
Indian
0.7%

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
45.7%
Catholic
16.0%
Not stated
13.7%
Anglican
9.5%
Uniting Church
3.0%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.3%
Buddhism
1.8%
Christian (other)
1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

6.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
24.2% 746
Separated
5.6% 172
Divorced
13.5% 417
Widowed
6.1% 187
Never married
50.7% 1,566

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
30.9%
Couple: no children
24.0%
One parent: children under 15
19.8%
One parent: no children under 15
14.4%
Couple: no children under 15
10.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
41.3%
2 persons
30.9%
3 persons
12.6%
4 persons
8.7%
5 persons
4.1%
6+ persons
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Lismore

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,459 occupied private dwellings in Lismore at the 2021 Census, 48.2% were rented, 23.9% owned outright and 25.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.2% 18 dwellings
Owned outright
23.9% 348 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
25.1% 366 dwellings
Rented
48.2% 703 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.9% 28 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
83.3%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
8.4%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
8.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
11.0%
2 bedrooms
31.1%
3 bedrooms
38.2%
4 bedrooms
15.0%
5 bedrooms
3.4%
6+ bedrooms
1.3%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
6.2%
$300-$449/mo
3.9%
$450-$599/mo
4.2%
$600-$799/mo
7.6%
$800-$999/mo
9.3%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
30.4%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
20.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
11.8%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
4.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
12.9%
1 vehicle
48.7%
2 vehicles
26.6%
3 vehicles
8.3%
4+ vehicles
3.5%

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

Work, income and education in Lismore

Employment

Employed full-time
27.9% 740 people
Employed part-time
22.4% 595 people
Unemployed
5.0% 134 people
Not in labour force
44.6% 1,185 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
28.9%
Community & Personal Service
17.2%
Technicians & Trade Workers
15.0%
Labourers
10.8%
Clerical & Administrative
10.2%
Managers
9.3%
Sales Workers
6.4%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.2%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.7%
$1-$149/wk
0.4%
$150-$299/wk
2.7%
$300-$399/wk
6.2%
$400-$499/wk
11.8%
$500-$649/wk
10.3%
$650-$799/wk
7.3%
$800-$999/wk
8.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.7%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
8.9%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.5%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.8%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
2.4%
$4,000+/wk
3.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.8%
$1-$149/wk
3.4%
$150-$299/wk
7.3%
$300-$399/wk
8.1%
$400-$499/wk
8.1%
$500-$649/wk
7.6%
$650-$799/wk
11.2%
$800-$999/wk
13.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.6%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
3.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.5%
$3,500+/wk
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
65.6%
Did not go to work
13.7%
Walked only
10.0%
Car (passenger)
6.4%
Truck
0.9%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.9%
Bicycle
0.7%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Bus
0.6%
Other
0.5%
Ferry
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
53.6%
Year 10 or equivalent
30.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
8.9%
Year 11 or equivalent
7.5%

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
38.1%
Bachelor Degree
29.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
16.1%
Postgraduate Degree
6.9%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
6.0%
Certificate I/II
3.2%

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

Field of Study

Society & Culture
18.7%
Health
17.0%
Management & Commerce
14.9%
Engineering
11.0%
Education
9.1%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
7.2%
Creative Arts
7.1%
Architecture & Building
5.7%
Agriculture & Environment
5.1%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.4%
Information Technology
1.8%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
26.3%
Secondary: Government
22.2%
Vocational Education
18.2%
Primary: Catholic
9.5%
Secondary: Catholic
9.0%
Pre-school
8.0%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
4.3%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.5%

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
79.4%
Has need for assistance
8.9%
Need for assistance not stated
11.7%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
618
Asthma
165
Arthritis
140
Lung condition
138
Heart disease
113
Diabetes
107
Stroke
65
Cancer
57
Kidney disease
40
Dementia
13

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.8% 372
Did not provide
86.2% 2,333

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
15.7% 426
Not a volunteer
84.3% 2,288

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 3
Previously served
1.9% 53
Never served
97.9% 2,668

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
36.9%
1 child
14.3%
2 children
25.6%
3 children
15.0%
4 children
7.2%
5+ children
1.0%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
8
1951: 1960
23
1961: 1970
56
1971: 1980
43
1981: 1990
54
1991: 2000
29
2001: 2010
62
2011: 2015
31
2016
15
2017
15
2018
15
2019
31
2020
6

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

Population Mobility

19.4%
moved in the last year
48.6%
moved in the last 5 years
8.4%
unemployment rate (Census)
50.5%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,566
Moved from NSW
318
Moved: same area (SA2)
169
Moved from QLD
40
Moved from overseas
24
Moved from VIC
20
Moved from SA
10
Moved from ACT
4
Moved from WA
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
22.1%
5: 14 hours
29.6%
15: 29 hours
12.9%
30+ hours
7.3%
Did not do domestic work
28.1%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
79.0%
Step family: no other children
12.3%
Blended family: no other children
6.4%
Intact family: other children present
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Lismore Crime Statistics

511 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Other Against Property
168
Theft
143
Assault
52
Property Damage
45
Other Against Person
35
Drug Offences
34
Sexual Offences
18
Weapons
11
Robbery
5

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Lismore

The closest suburb to Lismore is Lismore Heights, 1.2 km away.

Lismore Heights
1.2 km away · income $742/wk · rent $338/wk
Girards Hill
1.5 km away · income $677/wk · rent $290/wk
East Lismore
1.9 km away · income $670/wk · rent $310/wk
South Lismore
3.3 km away · income $638/wk · rent $300/wk
Goonellabah
5.1 km away · income $705/wk · rent $320/wk
Wollongbar
11.8 km away · income $792/wk · rent $420/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Lismore

What is the population of Lismore NSW?

The population of Lismore NSW is 3,656 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 995 people per km². Lismore is ranked #2,067 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Lismore?

The median personal income in Lismore NSW is $598 per week, or $31,096 per year. The median household income is $1,035 per week. Family income is $1,465 per week. Lismore is ranked #7,124 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Lismore?

Median rent in Lismore NSW is $280 per week ($1,213 per month). Rent represents 27.1% of household income, which is considered moderate. Lismore ranks #5,374 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Lismore?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lismore 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 Lismore?

The median age in Lismore NSW is 41 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Lismore a good suburb to live in?

Lismore is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 3,656. The median income is $598/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (27.1% 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: 12353. All dollar figures in AUD.