South Murwillumbah, NSW: suburb profile

The population of South Murwillumbah NSW is 1,064 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in South Murwillumbah is $589 per week ($30,628 per year). Median rent in South Murwillumbah is $390 per week ($1,690 per month). South Murwillumbah has a median age of 48 years, older than the national median of 38. South Murwillumbah has a population density of 94 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in South Murwillumbah is England. The most common religion is No religion (44.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Thai. The median monthly mortgage repayment in South Murwillumbah is $1,687.

There were 44 recorded offences in South Murwillumbah in 2025-26, a rate of 41 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (20 offences).

Population
1,064
Census 2021
Median income
$589/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$390/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
48years
Census 2021

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

South Murwillumbah vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in South Murwillumbah is $589 a week, 23% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,789th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $390 a week, $5 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 30.2% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 48, 5 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.
MeasureSouth MurwillumbahTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$589/wk$765/wk −23%$766/wk
Household income$1,292/wk$1,704/wk −24%$1,637/wk
Rent$390/wk$385/wk +1%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,687/mo$1,965/mo −14%$1,733/mo
Median age4843 +5 yrs42
Rent share of household income30.2%22.6% +7.6 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 South Murwillumbah, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

South Murwillumbah Population

1,064 residents at the 2021 Census.

South Murwillumbah Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$589/wk
$30,628 per year
Ranked 7,241 of 14,663
Median Rent
$390/wk
$1,690 per month
Ranked 2,258 of 14,663
Median Age
48years
10 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,687/mo
Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

South Murwillumbah Rent Prices & Affordability

30% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,292/wk
Median rent $390/wk
Rent to income 30.2%

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

Median rent in South Murwillumbah against your income

About $5,599 a month
Median rent $390/wk
Left after rent $902/wk
Rent share 30.2%

South Murwillumbah Schools

9
schools nearby
4
government
1006
avg ICSEA score
2,401
total students
Mount St Patrick College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 823 students
1071
ICSEA
The Small School Independent
Combined · K-10 · 67 students
1071
ICSEA
Mount St Patrick Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 373 students
1061
ICSEA
Sathya Sai College Independent
Primary · K-12 · 280 students
1046
ICSEA
St Joseph's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 161 students
1011
ICSEA
Murwillumbah Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 149 students
959
ICSEA
Murwillumbah High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 347 students
950
ICSEA
Condong Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 49 students
948
ICSEA
Murwillumbah East Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 152 students
935
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 South Murwillumbah, with a map

South Murwillumbah Map

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

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.4% (536) Female 49.6% (528)

Population Density

94
people per km²
1,064 people · 11.3 km²

Households

2.4
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,496
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
2.9%
New Zealand
2.6%
Papua New Guinea
0.8%
South Africa
0.7%
Canada
0.5%
Philippines
0.5%
Thailand
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

Thai
0.5%
French
0.3%
Punjabi
0.3%
Japanese
0.3%
Afrikaans
0.0%
Arabic
0.0%
Australian Indigenous Languages
0.0%

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

Ancestry

English
45.9%
Australian
37.6%
Irish
16.1%
Scottish
11.8%
German
4.0%
Australian Aboriginal
3.0%
Italian
2.3%
Polish
1.2%
Maori
1.0%
Dutch
0.9%
Filipino
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
44.6%
Catholic
19.4%
Anglican
12.8%
Not stated
8.9%
Presbyterian and Reformed
3.1%
Christian (other)
1.6%
Hinduism
1.3%
Uniting Church
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

3.3%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
34.8% 314
Separated
4.1% 37
Divorced
15.5% 140
Widowed
8.0% 72
Never married
37.7% 340

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
34.3%
Couple: no children
24.7%
Couple: no children under 15
18.4%
One parent: children under 15
12.6%
One parent: no children under 15
10.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
32.7%
2 persons
30.4%
3 persons
14.2%
4 persons
13.2%
5 persons
6.3%
6+ persons
3.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in South Murwillumbah

Housing Tenure

Of the 395 occupied private dwellings in South Murwillumbah at the 2021 Census, 25.3% were rented, 38.7% owned outright and 32.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.8% 3 dwellings
Owned outright
38.7% 153 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
32.4% 128 dwellings
Rented
25.3% 100 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.8% 7 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
100.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
6.0%
2 bedrooms
19.8%
3 bedrooms
50.7%
4 bedrooms
18.0%
5 bedrooms
4.4%
6+ bedrooms
1.0%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
3.1%
$300-$449/mo
3.9%
$450-$599/mo
4.7%
$600-$799/mo
4.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
18.9%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
24.4%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
27.6%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
5.5%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
7.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
3.8%
1 vehicle
36.2%
2 vehicles
37.2%
3 vehicles
15.4%
4+ vehicles
7.3%

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

Work, income and education in South Murwillumbah

Employment

Employed full-time
27.0% 215 people
Employed part-time
23.6% 188 people
Unemployed
5.0% 40 people
Not in labour force
44.3% 353 people

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

Occupation

Technicians & Trade Workers
21.2%
Community & Personal Service
16.0%
Professionals
14.2%
Labourers
13.2%
Managers
12.2%
Clerical & Administrative
10.4%
Sales Workers
7.3%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
5.6%

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

Weekly Household Income

$1-$149/wk
1.1%
$150-$299/wk
2.6%
$300-$399/wk
4.0%
$400-$499/wk
9.4%
$500-$649/wk
6.9%
$650-$799/wk
4.0%
$800-$999/wk
9.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
13.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.7%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
14.3%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
4.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
0.9%
$4,000+/wk
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
12.6%
$1-$149/wk
4.2%
$150-$299/wk
7.3%
$300-$399/wk
6.2%
$400-$499/wk
6.8%
$500-$649/wk
7.1%
$650-$799/wk
11.1%
$800-$999/wk
12.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
2.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
3.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.9%
$3,500+/wk
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
71.2%
Did not go to work
15.3%
Walked only
5.5%
Car (passenger)
4.7%
Truck
1.6%
Bicycle
1.0%
Other
0.8%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
42.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
39.3%
Year 11 or equivalent
10.1%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.8%

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
53.1%
Bachelor Degree
17.5%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
16.2%
Postgraduate Degree
5.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.9%
Certificate I/II
3.9%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
17.0%
Management & Commerce
16.6%
Society & Culture
16.6%
Health
11.2%
Architecture & Building
10.1%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
10.1%
Education
7.6%
Agriculture & Environment
4.7%
Information Technology
3.2%
Creative Arts
2.9%

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

School & University Attendance

Secondary: Government
24.7%
Primary: Government
24.7%
Vocational Education
14.7%
Secondary: Catholic
10.0%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
7.6%
Pre-school
7.6%
Primary: Catholic
7.1%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
3.5%

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
82.7%
Has need for assistance
10.8%
Need for assistance not stated
6.9%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
133
Asthma
49
Arthritis
44
Heart disease
33
Diabetes
28
Lung condition
22
Kidney disease
20
Cancer
19
Stroke
11
Dementia
10

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.5% 121
Did not provide
85.5% 714

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
12.9% 108
Not a volunteer
87.1% 731

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
4.0% 33
Never served
96.0% 796

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
26.0%
1 child
11.9%
2 children
30.0%
3 children
19.6%
4 children
10.9%
5+ children
1.6%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
3
1951: 1960
9
1961: 1970
14
1971: 1980
26
1981: 1990
19
1991: 2000
13
2001: 2010
22
2011: 2015
4
2016
4

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

Population Mobility

15.5%
moved in the last year
42.6%
moved in the last 5 years
7.5%
unemployment rate (Census)
52.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
831
Moved from NSW
67
Moved: same area (SA2)
52
Moved from QLD
29
Moved from overseas
8
Moved from VIC
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
16.4%
5: 14 hours
27.4%
15: 29 hours
15.8%
30+ hours
10.0%
Did not do domestic work
30.5%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
75.3%
Step family: no other children
17.2%
Blended family: no other children
7.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

South Murwillumbah Crime Statistics

44 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
20
Drug Offences
9
Other Against Property
7
Assault
3
Property Damage
3
Other Against Person
1
Weapons
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near South Murwillumbah

The closest suburb to South Murwillumbah is Murwillumbah, 3.3 km away.

Murwillumbah
3.3 km away · income $604/wk · rent $346/wk
Terranora
13.8 km away · income $831/wk · rent $540/wk
Bogangar
14.0 km away · income $761/wk · rent $460/wk
Currumbin Valley
14.7 km away · income $778/wk · rent $510/wk
Pottsville
15.1 km away · income $730/wk · rent $500/wk
Chinderah
15.2 km away · income $521/wk · rent $245/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About South Murwillumbah

What is the population of South Murwillumbah NSW?

The population of South Murwillumbah NSW is 1,064 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 94 people per km². South Murwillumbah is ranked #3,882 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in South Murwillumbah?

The median personal income in South Murwillumbah NSW is $589 per week, or $30,628 per year. The median household income is $1,292 per week. Family income is $1,496 per week. South Murwillumbah is ranked #7,241 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in South Murwillumbah?

Median rent in South Murwillumbah NSW is $390 per week ($1,690 per month). Rent represents 30.2% of household income, which is considered moderate. South Murwillumbah ranks #2,258 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in South Murwillumbah?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in South Murwillumbah NSW is $1,687. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in South Murwillumbah?

The median age in South Murwillumbah NSW is 48 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is South Murwillumbah a good suburb to live in?

South Murwillumbah is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 1,064. The median income is $589/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (30.2% 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: 13609. All dollar figures in AUD.