Lawrence
At 132 square kilometres with only 1,159 residents, Lawrence is one of NSW's lowest-density communities, with just 8.8 people per km2 compared to the state average. The median age of 54 sits 14 years above the national figure, and 55.7% of households own their home outright, a far higher rate than the national average, pointing to a settled, older owner-occupier base with minimal debt. Household income lands in the 17.7th percentile nationally, making Lawrence an affordable rural pocket where the median house price of $585,000 is well below most NSW coastal markets.
Population
1,159
Median Age
54.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,104/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
16
Median House
$585K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $585,000 is the defining entry point for Lawrence, and prices have eased 7.3% from $620,000 in 2024 to $575,000 in 2025, offering buyers a softer landing than in many NSW markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,333, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.9%, below the 30% stress threshold and lower than most urban benchmarks. Every dwelling recorded in the suburb is a separate house (100%), with 3-bedroom homes the dominant type at 51.8% and 4-plus bedroom homes at 32.3%. Outright owners at 55.7% far outnumber mortgage holders at 34.9%, signalling a community of long-term, debt-free residents rather than recent buyers stretching for entry.
For Buyers
The median house price of $585,000 is the defining entry point for Lawrence, and prices have eased 7.3% from $620,000 in 2024 to $575,000 in 2025, offering buyers a softer landing than in many NSW markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,333, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.9%, below the 30% stress threshold and lower than most urban benchmarks. Every dwelling recorded in the suburb is a separate house (100%), with 3-bedroom homes the dominant type at 51.8% and 4-plus bedroom homes at 32.3%. Outright owners at 55.7% far outnumber mortgage holders at 34.9%, signalling a community of long-term, debt-free residents rather than recent buyers stretching for entry.
For Investors
Lawrence presents a modest rental market: only 9.4% of dwellings are rented, well below national averages, and weekly rent sits at $330. The 7.1% vacancy rate is elevated compared to tight urban markets, meaning landlords face a thinner tenant pool and longer vacancy periods. Development activity totalled 16 applications in the past 12 months, predominantly sheds and new dwellings, consistent with incremental rural expansion rather than a development boom. The combination of falling prices (down 7.3% year on year), a low renter base and high vacancy signals limited short-term yield growth. The investment case rests on long-term affordability and the appeal of detached rural housing to lifestyle buyers.
Development Activity
Total DAs
125
Last 12 Months
16
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-33.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Lawrence iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Lawrence Public School
K-6 · 52 students
Demographics
The median age of 54 is 14 years above the national figure, placing Lawrence firmly among NSW's most age-skewed communities. Only 8.3% of residents were born overseas, which is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate, reflecting a deeply Anglo-Celtic ancestry profile led by English (516 residents), Scottish (157) and Irish (139). University qualifications reach 19.1%, which is 11 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with the rural service economy where trade, agricultural and community roles are more prevalent than professional ones. Average household size of 2.4 is marginally below national, and 42.6% of families are couples without children, a pattern that aligns with the older demographic base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Lawrence is entirely detached housing, with 100% of dwellings being separate houses, higher than virtually any comparison point at state or national level. Outright owners at 55.7% dramatically outnumber both mortgage holders (34.9%) and renters (9.4%), a ratio that reflects decades of settled ownership rather than recent churn. The three-bedroom home is the dominant stock at 51.8%, with 4-plus bedroom homes accounting for another 32.3%. Prices moved from $620,000 in 2024 down to $575,000 in 2025, a 7.3% fall. Mortgage stress is not evident, with the mortgage-to-income ratio at 27.9% and rent-to-income at 29.9%, both below the conventional 30% threshold.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,333
Rent / wk
$330
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$506
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.1%
Unoccupied
35
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
42.6%
Couples, no children
927
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employing industry at 21.3% of the local workforce (56 workers), ahead of Education at 12.9% (34) and Public Administration at 10.3% (27). Agriculture accounts for 8.7% of jobs, reflecting the rural context of the Clarence Valley. By occupation, Professionals lead with 74 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service at 58 and Labourers at 45, a mix that reflects service delivery rather than a high-income knowledge economy. Unemployment runs at 8.7%, notably higher than state and national averages, and the labour force participation rate of 39.2% is low because 475 residents (41% of the population) are not in the labour force, consistent with the large retired and semi-retired cohort at a median age of 54.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.3%
Part-time
33.0%
Participation
39.2%
Employed
345
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.1%
Postgraduate
2.1%
Born Overseas
8.3%
Dwellings
460
Transport to Work
Car dependency in Lawrence is near total, with 89.0% of residents driving to work and only 1.1% using public transport, well below the national average for public transport uptake. Walking and cycling account for 5.5% of commute modes, which is unusually high for a rural area and reflects the compact township core relative to the 132 km2 suburb boundary. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families draw on facilities in nearby Grafton and the broader Clarence Valley LGA. Assistance needs affect 8.8% of residents (95 people), a figure worth monitoring as the population continues to age beyond the national median. Rent-to-income at 29.9% is close to but below the stress threshold, keeping the existing small renter cohort financially viable.
Drive
89.0%
Public Transport
1.1%
Walk / Cycle
5.5%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lawrence compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence a good suburb to live in?
Lawrence suits retirees and lifestyle seekers looking for affordable, low-density living. The median age is 54, some 14 years above the national figure, and 55.7% of households own outright with no mortgage. Household income falls in the 17.7th percentile nationally, so it is an affordable community rather than a high-income one.
What is the median house price in Lawrence?
The median house price is $585,000, with recent data showing a move from $620,000 in 2024 to $575,000 in 2025, a fall of 7.3%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,333, which is well below Sydney and coastal NSW benchmarks, reflecting the affordable rural character of the suburb.
What schools are in Lawrence?
No schools are recorded within the Lawrence suburb boundary in this dataset. Families in Lawrence rely on schools in nearby Grafton, the Clarence Valley regional centre about 18 km south. The suburb's 19.1% university qualification rate is 11 points below the national average, consistent with a rural service economy profile.
Is Lawrence safe?
Specific crime rate data is not available for Lawrence in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb has a low renter share of 9.4% and a stable population where 82.8% of residents have not moved in five years, characteristics associated with settled, low-turnover communities. The broader Clarence Valley area should be consulted for LGA-level crime figures.
Is Lawrence good for property investment?
The investment case is cautious. Weekly rent of $330 against a $585,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.9%, but the 7.1% vacancy rate and only 9.4% renter share mean tenant demand is thin. Prices fell 7.3% in the most recent year, from $620,000 to $575,000, which is a headwind for near-term capital growth.
How is Lawrence's population changing?
Lawrence has 1,159 residents across 132 km2, giving a very low density of 8.8 per km2 compared to state and national averages. Population mobility is low, with 82.8% of residents staying at the same address over five years. The median age of 54 is 14 years above the national figure, pointing to a gradually aging and slowly shrinking community over the long term.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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