Colyton is named after Colyton in Devon, England, which had been the home town of the wife of William Cox Junior, son of the famous builder of the road across the Blue Mountains, also named William. The property of had been granted to Cox on 17 August 1819 by Governor Macquarie. It was located on the southern side of the Western Highway opposite the present Colyton Primary School. The land was only used for grazing and wheat growing. On 9 April 1842, a notice appeared in the Sydney Herald advertising the auction sale of William Cox's estate to form the 'Village of Colyton' with surrounding farmlets. The land was described as partly forest and partly alluvial with grass on it being 'abundant and nutritious'. The timber on the land was described as being fit for 'building and farming purposes' and the water 'abundant and never failing' from nearby Ropes Creek. Historically, the name Colyton generally referred to the area east of Ropes Creek. The present site of Colyton was originally part of St Marys. Colyton Post Office opened on 15 October 1892 and closed in 1962.
Demographics
According to the 2016 census of Population, there were 8,439 people in Colyton.
66.9% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 3.0%, Philippines 2.4%, England 2.1%, Fiji 2.0% and India 1.4%.
68.9% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Arabic 4.2%, Hindi 2.3%, Tagalog 1.7%, Samoan 1.5% and Greek 1.3%.
The most common responses for religion were Catholic 30.7%, No Religion 19.6% and Anglican 15.0%.
The most common occupations included Clerical and Administrative Workers 18.3%, Machinery Operators and Drivers 16.4%, Technicians and Trades Workers 13.4%, Labourers 13.3%, and Community and Personal Service Workers 10.6%.
Of occupied private dwellings in Colyton, 94.9% were separate houses and 4.0% were semi-detached.
and Colyton High School are the two schools in the suburb. Bennett Road Public School was first established on 14 October 1961, serving the growing suburb of St Marys, with 230 pupils. Warren Kennedy was the first school principal. The library was opened in 1984 and the hall and a new canteen were opened in 1986. Colyton Public School was established during the late 1800s. Its new school hall opened in November 2009 and the canteen has been connected to the hall.
Churches
Colyton Baptist Church has been ministering to the people of Colyton and the surrounding suburbs since 2014. Services are held in Bennett Road Public School which is 100-114 Bennett Rd, Colyton NSW at 4pm
