Lismore · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A population drop of 1.6% since 2021 puts Lismore well below the New South Wales growth rate of 6.1%. While the area has a strong base of 4,423 businesses, it faces a mixed economic profile with an overall advantage score of 945, which is smaller than about 57% of similar areas.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Lismore — lower than 57% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents have a good level of education and job skills, scoring 7 out of 10. However, access to money and resources is lower, with a score of 4 that is smaller than about 60% of similar areas.
5
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
5
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
7
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
945
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Lismore has a population of 43,642, making it larger than about 72% of similar areas. Despite this, recent growth has been among the lowest at this level, falling by 1.6%.
43,642
Higher than 72% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
-1.6%
Lower than 94% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The local economy is supported by 4,423 businesses, which is more than about 72% of similar areas. This activity is matched by 130 approved dwellings, a figure larger than about 64% of similar places.
4,423
Higher than 72% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
130
Higher than 63% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Lismore [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA14850/lismore/topic/economy-advantage
