Lismore's estimated population decreased by 20 people during the 2019/20 year according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as Regional Australia grew by 1.1%.

The only other local government area to decrease in the Northern Rivers was Kyogle which lost 8 people or 0.1% during the same time period.

The coastal LGA's were in demand with Byron growing by 2% (698 people) and Ballina 1.3% (595) people. Richmond Valley LGA increased by 28 people or 0.1%.

Lismore had 81 more births than deaths, 192 more people left the area than arrived and 91 more people from overseas called Lismore home than left for overseas destinations for an estimated population of 43,667.

Lismore had a population density of 33.9 people per square kilometre with Ballina 93.2, Byron 63.2, Kyogle 2.5 and Richmond Valley 7.7.

It wasn't long ago (Wednesday, December 8) that Lismore City Council announced details of research it commissioned where Lismore's population will increase by 13.57% in the next two decades bringing the population to 51,023.

The average population growth for Lismore is forecast to be 0.6% each year until 2041.

The ABS numbers were affected by the first year of COVID but the 2020/21 statistics are expected to affect results even more as ex-pats returned home to Australia rather than face COVID overseas as the global pandemic peaked. Those statistics will be released on 29 March 2022 with the full CENSUS release in June 2022.

If we are to reach a population of 51,023 by 2041 we will need to reverse the negative trend that has been occurring since 2016 when the population was 44,993. During that same time frame, Ballina has grown its population from 42,556 to 45,217.

What is holding Lismore back? Land banking by property owners? Lack of land release? A combination of both? Building industry shortages of workers and supplies sending prices skyrocketing during COVID?

We will know more when the new Lismore City Council sits for the first time in February, 2022.