South Lismore (NSW)

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Drawing on ABS demographic updates for the wider region alongside new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the population of the suburb of South Lismore is estimated at roughly 1,611 in May 2026. This represents a reduction of 164 individuals (9.2%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 1,775 people. The change is calculated from a resident population of 1,606, estimated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) and an additional 9 verified new addresses since the Census date. This population level translates to a density of 219 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density with potential space for growth. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth, accounting for approximately 87.0% of total population increases in recent times.

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The suburb of South Lismore possesses a balanced workforce distributed across white-collar and blue-collar roles, with a strong presence in essential services, an unemployment rate of 6.4%, and an estimated employment growth of 3.1% over the past year, according to Districts' compiled regional statistics. In March 2026789 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 2.3% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is typical, sitting at 64.6% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census data indicates that a low 7.2% of residents worked from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 lockdowns.

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Taxpayer income in the suburb of South Lismore is below the national average according to ATO data compiled by Districts for financial year 2023. The median income for taxpayers in the area is $41,847, with an average income of $53,564, compared to Regional NSW averages of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $46,166 for median income and $59,092 for average income. Income data from the 2021 Census shows household, family, and personal incomes in the area all sit in the 17th percentile nationally. The local earnings profile is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, which accounts for 34.1% of residents (549 people), similar to the metropolitan region where this group makes up 29.9%. Affordability pressures are high, with residents retaining only 83.1% of their income, placing the area in the 17th percentile for housing affordability.

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According to the latest Census, residential properties in the suburb of South Lismore consist of 88.3% houses and 11.6% other dwelling types (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to Regional NSW's breakdown of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The level of home ownership in the suburb of South Lismore is lower than the Regional NSW average, standing at 29.5%, while the remaining properties are mortgaged (38.3%) or rented (32.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 is significantly lower than the Regional NSW median of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $300 is also below the regional figure of $330. Nationally, mortgage repayments in the suburb of South Lismore are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are similarly lower than the national average of $375.

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Families make up 61.4% of all households, consisting of couples with children (21.1%), couples without children (18.0%), and single-parent households (19.9%). Non-family households account for the remaining 38.6%, which is made up of lone-person households (31.5%) and group households (7.4%). The median household size is 2.4 people, matching the average for Regional NSW.

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Educational attainment in the area is low, with university graduation rates (14.2%) falling well below the NSW state average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificate-level qualifications (31.5%).

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Public transport services in the suburb of South Lismore include 54 active bus stops. These stops are served by 45 different routes, providing a total of 604 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is convenient, with residents living an average of 116 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb of South Lismore is primarily residential, and most workers commute out of the area, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 91% of commuters, while 6% walk. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 cars per household, which is below the regional average. A low 7.2% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

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Based on Districts' evaluation of mortality and chronic illness rates, the suburb of South Lismore faces notable health challenges, with common medical issues present in both younger and older cohorts, and a low private health insurance rate of approximately 48% of the population (~776 people). This is below the Regional NSW average of 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of South Lismore has low cultural diversity, with citizens making up 91.8% of the population, 92.8% of residents born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 43.9% of residents. The most notable statistical divergence is in the Other religious category, which accounts for 1.3% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW.

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The median age of 39 in the suburb of South Lismore is below the Regional NSW average of 43 and close to the national median of 38. The suburb of South Lismore has a higher share of residents aged 15 - 24 (14.6%) but a lower share of those aged 75 - 84 (4.4%) compared to Regional NSW. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 3.6% to 4.4% of the population, while the 5 to 14 group has decreased from 14.3% to 12.6%. Projections for 2041 suggest changes in the local age distribution, with the 85+ cohort growing by 6% (1 people) to reach 24 residents from 22. Older cohorts aged 65+ will account for the entirety of the area's population growth, while the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age groups will decrease in size.

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South Lismore currently has an estimated 88 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 54 children aged 0-2 and 37 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 6% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 5% by 2041 (to approximately 84 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 135. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.9 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.