Our region

Byron Shire is located on the far north coast of NSW, we share our boundaries with the Tweed, Lismore and Ballina Local Government Areas. Brisbane is about 200km north and Sydney about 800 kms to the south. Our shire is 556 square km in size and our region is famed for its rural beauty and beaches.

Climate

During the year the local mean temperature is 23.7 celsius, and mean minimum temperature is 16.1 celsius. 

We enjoy a high rainfall between January and May each year, with March being the month of highest rainfall. This provides an excellent farming climate and the green scenic landscape which many visitors enjoy.

Visit our Environment pages for more information.

Population

  • The population of Byron Shire at the date of the 2016 census was 31,556 (compared to 29,208 in 2011 and 28,767 in 2006).
  • The median age was 44 (compared to 42 in 2011 and 41 in 2006).
  • In 2016, 1.8% of the Shire's population identified as of Indigenous origin (compared to 1.77% in 2011 and 1.55% in 2006).

View Byron Shire Community Profile

Social Characteristics

Our community is a diverse and colourful mix of people and our towns and rural villages have their own distinctive look and feel. Our region has a mix of cultural values, embracing both traditional and alternative lifestyles and philosophies.

Aboriginal Heritage

We recognise traditional custodians of the land in Byron Shire, the Arakwal, Minjungbal and  Widjabul Wia-bal Peoples of the Bundjalung Nation. People of the Bundjalung Nation lived in this area for thousands of years before arrival of non-Aboriginal people and retain a strong connection to Country and to the maintenance, protection and management of Aboriginal cultural values in the Shire.

Bundjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal People are recognised native title owners to lands and waters in and around Byron Bay and Widjabul Wia-bal are recognised native title owners of lands and waters in the western areas of the Shire.

Today, Byron Shire is also home to many Indigenous people from a variety of communities from around the country.

Find out more about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Industry and Economy

We are a well known tourist destination, attracting over 1 million visitors annually. The main source of revenue for the Shire is tourism, about $380 million in 2011. Tourism has a significant affect on a range of industries in the Shire, such as retailing, health facilities and spas, accommodation, restaurants and cafes, transportation and construction. Agriculture and related value-added and creative industries are also important areas of activity in the region.

Visit our Business pages for more information.

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