Mullumbimby
At a median age of 45, Mullumbimby's resident profile runs 5 years above the national figure, and the population has grown 27% since 2011, producing a suburb with an aging but expanding base. House prices jumped from $792,500 in 2024 to $1,060,000 in 2025, a 33.8% move in a single year that outpaces most coastal NSW markets. University qualifications reach 36%, sitting 5.9 points above national, while household income ranks in just the 35th percentile, a gap that explains the housing stress: rent-to-income is 36.9% and mortgage-to-income 32.9%, both above the 30% stress threshold. Healthcare and education together employ 37% of local workers, anchoring the local economy in community services rather than high-income professional sectors.
Population
4,180
Median Age
45.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,355/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
109
Median House
$920K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price reached $920,000 based on the 2024-2025 period, with the most recent data point showing $1,060,000 in 2025, up from $792,500 in 2024. That 33.8% single-year lift is notable even against a backdrop of broad Northern Rivers price recovery. Separate houses dominate at 89.2% of dwellings, so buyers have genuine choice in stock type, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 45.4% and 4-plus bedrooms at 27.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,929, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 32.9%, above the 30% stress benchmark and reflecting the mismatch between a median house price well above $900,000 and household incomes in the 35th percentile nationally. Outright owners at 39.7% outnumber mortgage holders at 29%, a sign that established, debt-free residents make up a large share of the owner base.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $920,000 based on the 2024-2025 period, with the most recent data point showing $1,060,000 in 2025, up from $792,500 in 2024. That 33.8% single-year lift is notable even against a backdrop of broad Northern Rivers price recovery. Separate houses dominate at 89.2% of dwellings, so buyers have genuine choice in stock type, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 45.4% and 4-plus bedrooms at 27.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,929, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 32.9%, above the 30% stress benchmark and reflecting the mismatch between a median house price well above $900,000 and household incomes in the 35th percentile nationally. Outright owners at 39.7% outnumber mortgage holders at 29%, a sign that established, debt-free residents make up a large share of the owner base.
For Investors
The 31.3% renter share gives landlords a steady tenant pool, with weekly rent at $500. Against the $920,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield near 2.8%, low but higher than many premium Sydney markets. The 8.0% vacancy rate is elevated and worth watching: it suggests some softness in tenant demand, possibly from the high rent-to-income ratio of 36.9% pressuring affordability for local renters. Development activity is active at 101 applications over 12 months, mostly alterations and secondary dwellings rather than large-scale new supply. Net internal migration averages 101 residents a year and overseas migration adds 72, providing balanced demand support. Rent grew 50% over the decade, compared to a real income growth of 24.5%, indicating sustained rental price appreciation above income growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
564
Last 12 Months
109
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-1.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Mullumbimby iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School
K-12 · 587 students
Hinterland Christian College
K-10 · 71 students
Wilsons Creek Public School
K-6 · 23 students
St John's Primary School
K-6 · 63 students
Mullumbimby Public School
K-6 · 217 students
Demographics
The median age of 45 is 5 years above the national figure, and the suburb is aging further: the senior share rose 7.4 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.5 points. Overseas-born residents account for 22.4% of the population, 0.8 points above national. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,744), Irish (671) and Scottish (538). University qualifications at 36% run 5.9 points above national despite household income sitting in just the 35th percentile, a pattern consistent with lifestyle-driven relocation from expensive urban centres. Couples with children (1,086 families) outnumber couples without children (742), and average household size matches the national figure at 2.5. Volunteering is high at 22.7%, nearly 1 in 4 residents, pointing to a community with strong civic participation.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.2%
Houses
3.6%
Townhouse
5.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits toward ownership: 39.7% own outright, 29% hold a mortgage and 31.3% rent. The high outright ownership share, above the national average, reflects the older resident base who have held properties for years. Stock is overwhelmingly detached housing at 89.2%, with apartments at just 5.8%, so supply constraints apply primarily to houses. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 45.4%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 27.6%, with 2-bedroom stock at 18.5%. Prices moved sharply from $792,500 in 2024 to $1,060,000 in 2025, a 33.8% gain in a single year. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 32.9% exceeds the 30% stress threshold, and rent-to-income of 36.9% puts renters in clear financial pressure territory, both above state and national benchmarks for housing affordability.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,929
Rent / wk
$500
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$660
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.0%
Unoccupied
134
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
36.9% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
32.9% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.1%
Couples, no children
2,843
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 21.3% of the workforce (259 workers), followed by Education at 16% (194) and Professional/Technical services at 9.6% (117). This service-sector concentration aligns with SEIFA scores: the IEO decile of 7 reflects above-average education and occupational status, while the IRSD and IRSAD at decile 5 place the suburb at the national midpoint for relative disadvantage. Professionals are the largest occupation group (481), ahead of Community and Personal service workers (235) and Managers (223). The full-time employment rate is 41.9%, lower than the national average, and the participation rate of 51.8% is modest, partly because 1,234 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with the older age profile. The unemployment rate of 5.8% sits above typical coastal market benchmarks.
Unemployment
6.7%
Labour Force
4,713
Unemployed
317
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
41.9%
Part-time
52.3%
Participation
51.8%
Employed
1,680
Occupations
Top Industries
University
36.0%
Postgraduate
7.7%
Born Overseas
22.4%
Dwellings
1,522
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high at 83.9% of commuters driving, above the national average, reflecting the rural and semi-rural setting. Walking and cycling reach a notable 11.4%, higher than many car-dependent regional towns and consistent with a community that values active transport. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on nearby facilities. The IRSAD decile of 5 places Mullumbimby at the national midpoint for socioeconomic advantage, neither disadvantaged nor advantaged in relative terms. The IEO decile of 7 indicates above-average education and occupational outcomes compared to national benchmarks. Volunteering at 22.7% and only 6.4% of residents needing daily assistance suggest a resilient, engaged community despite the income pressures reflected in the 35th percentile household income ranking.
Drive
83.9%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
11.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.14%/yr
(+110 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 21.2% over the decade to 4,180 residents and the trend rate is 1.14% a year, adding roughly 110 people annually. Broader SA2-level data shows the area reaching 9,662 in 2025, up from 9,245 in 2023, with medium forecasts projecting growth to approximately 10,112 by 2031. Migration is balanced, with internal arrivals averaging 101 a year and overseas migration adding 72, both contributing to sustained demand. The gentrification score registers early signs, driven by population growth of 27% since 2011 and net internal migration of 101 per year, though the full stage reading remains cautious. Affordability has remained stable, shifting from 70.3% in 2011 to 68.8% in 2021, a slight improvement compared to many NSW coastal markets that saw sharper deterioration over the same period.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+72
Net Internal / yr
+101
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +27% since 2011, Net internal migration +101/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mullumbimby compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mullumbimby a good suburb to live in?
Mullumbimby offers a strong education and occupational profile, with IEO decile 7 and 36% university qualifications, 5.9 points above national. The trade-off is housing cost pressure: mortgage-to-income is 32.9% and rent-to-income is 36.9%, both above the 30% stress threshold. Household income sits in the 35th percentile nationally, making affordability a genuine concern for new residents.
What is the median house price in Mullumbimby?
The median house price is approximately $920,000 based on 2024-2025 data, with the latest recorded price at $1,060,000 in 2025, up from $792,500 in 2024, a 33.8% increase. Weekly rent averages $500 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,929.
What schools are in Mullumbimby?
No schools are recorded inside the Mullumbimby suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in surrounding Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay areas. The local population is well educated, with 36% holding university qualifications, which is 5.9 points above the national figure.
Is Mullumbimby safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Mullumbimby in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 5 on the IRSD index, placing it at the national midpoint for relative disadvantage. The high volunteering rate of 22.7% and 6.4% needing daily assistance are consistent with a broadly stable, community-oriented area.
Is Mullumbimby good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $500 against a $920,000 median gives an estimated gross yield near 2.8%. Prices rose 33.8% from 2024 to 2025. The 8.0% vacancy rate is elevated and warrants caution. Net internal migration of 101 per year and rent growth of 50% over the decade support long-term demand, but the high vacancy suggests current supply may exceed active rental demand.
How is Mullumbimby's population changing?
Population grew 21.2% over the past decade to 4,180 and is expanding at about 1.14% annually, adding roughly 110 residents a year. The profile is aging, with the senior share rising 7.4 points and working-age share falling 3.5 points over 10 years. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching around 10,112 by 2031, up from 9,662 in 2025.
How much development is happening in Mullumbimby?
There were 101 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent samples include dwelling alterations, additions and secondary dwelling modifications. This level of activity is consistent with an established suburb in early gentrification, where renovation and incremental densification dominate over greenfield supply.
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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