NSW 2481 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Myocum

A $2,070,000 median house price in a 32-square-kilometre rural locality of just 1,217 people marks Myocum as one of the Northern Rivers' most premium pockets. The suburb sits in postcode 2481, which spans the Byron Bay hinterland, and 44.1% of residents own their homes outright, well above the national average, reflecting long-held rural wealth rather than new-buyer activity. The median age of 47 is 7 years above the national figure, and university qualifications at 39.1% run 9 points higher than the national rate. With 96.2% of dwellings being separate houses on large lots, this is a detached acreage market serving owner-occupiers rather than renters.

Myocum urban fabric map

Population

1,217

Median Age

47.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,505/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

15

Median House

$2.1M

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

32.31 km²· 37.7 people/km²· Family income $1,922/wk

The median house price sits at $2,070,000, placing Myocum firmly in premium territory compared to most regional NSW markets. Price data shows a sharp correction from $2,825,000 in 2024 to $1,865,000 in 2025, a 34% decline over one year, which likely reflects the thin sample base typical of small rural localities rather than a structural market collapse. The stock is 96.2% separate houses, so buyers have almost no apartment or semi-detached option. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 31.1% and three-bedroom homes 33.3% of dwellings, consistent with the large-block rural character. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, but the mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.3% exceeds the standard 30% stress threshold, meaning even established buyers face stretched debt service at these price levels.

For Buyers

The median house price sits at $2,070,000, placing Myocum firmly in premium territory compared to most regional NSW markets. Price data shows a sharp correction from $2,825,000 in 2024 to $1,865,000 in 2025, a 34% decline over one year, which likely reflects the thin sample base typical of small rural localities rather than a structural market collapse. The stock is 96.2% separate houses, so buyers have almost no apartment or semi-detached option. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 31.1% and three-bedroom homes 33.3% of dwellings, consistent with the large-block rural character. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, but the mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.3% exceeds the standard 30% stress threshold, meaning even established buyers face stretched debt service at these price levels.

For Investors

The investor case for Myocum is constrained by thin rental depth. Weekly rent of $380 against a $2,070,000 median implies a gross yield below 1%, lower than almost any other NSW market. The vacancy rate of 9.0% is elevated, signalling limited rental demand for the available stock. Only 30.3% of residents rent, compared to the national average of around 31%, so demand is marginally below the national benchmark. Development activity ran at 15 applications over the past 12 months, modest for any suburb, with recent applications covering dual occupancy, secondary dwellings and sheds. The employment participation rate of 49.5% is low, suggesting many residents are retired landholders rather than workers who need to rent locally, which structurally limits rental demand.

Development Activity

Total DAs

128

Last 12 Months

15

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-16.7%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
7
Swimming Pool / Spa
6
Change of Use
4
Garage / Carport / Shed
3
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
3
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
3
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
3
Subdivision
2

Demographics

Myocum's median age of 47 sits 7 years above the national figure, making this one of the more age-skewed localities in the Byron hinterland. University qualifications at 39.1% are 9 points above the national rate, indicating a highly educated resident base despite the rural setting. Overseas-born residents make up 25.5%, which is 3.9 points above the national average, reflecting the region's long-standing appeal to international and interstate migrants. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (463 residents), Scottish (154) and Irish (148). The volunteering rate of 25.4% is notable, well above the national average of around 19%, pointing to a community-engaged population. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure, though 33.1% of families are couples without children, consistent with the older age profile.

Age Distribution

0-14
16.5%
15-24
8.7%
25-44
22.6%
45-64
30.8%
65+
22.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
20.1%
2 bed
15.6%
3 bed
33.3%
4+ bed
31.1%

Dwelling Structure

96.2%

Houses

N/A

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 44.1% Mortgage 25.6% Rent 30.3%

Tenure in Myocum is tilted strongly toward ownership: 44.1% of residents own outright and 25.6% carry a mortgage, while only 30.3% rent. Outright owners outnumbering mortgage holders by a wide margin reflects the long-settled, asset-wealthy character of the area. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 96.2%, with no meaningful apartment or semi-detached component recorded. Bedroom distribution is spread across three-bedroom (33.3%), four-plus bedroom (31.1%) and one-bedroom or studio (20.1%), the latter unusually high for a rural area and likely reflecting secondary dwellings and cabin-style structures. Median house prices swung from $2,825,000 in 2024 to $1,865,000 in 2025, a 34% move; in a locality this small, individual sales have an outsized effect on median figures. Rent-to-income at 25.2% stays below the 30% stress line for tenants.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,167

Rent / wk

$380

HH Size

2.5

Personal Income / wk

$738

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

9.0%

Unoccupied

42

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

25.2%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

33.3% stressed

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
463
Ancestry NS
185
Scottish
154
Irish
148
Other
116
German
87

Household Composition

33.1%

Couples, no children

773

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads local employment at 15.7% (62 workers), followed by Professional and Technical services at 11.9% (47 workers) and Education at 10.4% (41 workers). Construction accounts for 9.4% and Agriculture 7.4%, reflecting the rural land base and Northern Rivers' growing owner-builder activity. By occupation, Professionals (159) and Managers (126) dominate, which is consistent with the high university qualification rate of 39.1%, well above the national average. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is slightly above average, and full-time employment at 44.3% is moderate, with part-time workers (264) outnumbering full-time workers (210). The participation rate of 49.5% is low, largely because 320 residents are not in the labour force, many of whom are likely early-retired or semi-retired owner-occupiers on the large rural lots.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

44.3%

Part-time

50.1%

Participation

49.5%

Employed

474

Occupations

Professionals 159
Managers 126
Community/Personal 54
Labourers 45
Clerical/Admin 34
Sales 31
Machinery/Drivers 25

Top Industries

Healthcare 15.7%
Professional/Tech 11.9%
Education 10.4%
Construction 9.4%
Agriculture 7.4%

University

39.1%

Postgraduate

10.1%

Born Overseas

25.5%

Dwellings

418

Transport to Work

Car dependency is near-total in Myocum: 91.5% of residents drive to work, compared to lower proportions in urban centres, because the rural 32-square-kilometre footprint has no meaningful public transport. Walking and cycling account for 5.1% of commutes, an above-average figure for a rural area, likely reflecting residents working from home or on-property. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on facilities in Byron Bay and surrounding townships. Crime data is not available at this suburb level. The need-for-assistance rate of 3.7% (39 residents) is modest given the older population, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.3% exceeds the standard stress threshold, so while the lifestyle offering is strong, the financial pressure on mortgaged households is real.

Drive

91.5%

Public Transport

N/A

Walk / Cycle

5.1%

Work from Home

N/A

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Myocum compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 26%
Household Income
Bottom 47%
Rent Level
Top 21%
Renters
Top 28%
Uni Educated
Top 19%
Born Overseas
Top 19%
Density
Top 32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Myocum a good suburb to live in?

Myocum suits buyers seeking a rural lifestyle in the Byron Bay hinterland. The median age of 47, university qualifications at 39.1% (9 points above national) and a volunteering rate of 25.4% reflect a settled, educated community. The trade-offs are high entry prices at $2,070,000 median and no local schools or public transport.

What is the median house price in Myocum?

The current median house price is $2,070,000. Recorded prices shifted from $2,825,000 in 2024 to $1,865,000 in 2025, a 34% change. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.3% exceeds the standard 30% stress threshold.

What schools are in Myocum?

No schools are recorded within the Myocum suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically use schools in Byron Bay, Bangalow and Mullumbimby. The local population is well-educated, with 39.1% holding university qualifications, which is 9 points above the national average.

Is Myocum safe?

Suburb-level crime data is not available for Myocum. As indirect indicators, only 3.7% of residents (39 people) require daily assistance, and the volunteering rate of 25.4% is well above the national average of around 19%, consistent with a stable, low-disadvantage rural community.

Is Myocum good for property investment?

The investment case is difficult at current prices. Weekly rent of $380 against a $2,070,000 median implies a gross yield below 1%, and the vacancy rate of 9.0% is elevated. Only 30.3% of residents rent and the participation rate of 49.5% is low, both limiting rental demand. Capital growth depends on the broader Byron hinterland premium.

How is Myocum's population changing?

Myocum's population of 1,217 is small enough that year-to-year changes are hard to detect. The 76% resident retention rate suggests stability, and 15 development applications over the past 12 months indicate modest but ongoing activity. The median age of 47, which is 7 years above national, points to an aging profile over time.

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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