The region did not have much population until the establishment of sawmills on the Tambo River between 1864 and 1870. With the influx of settlers, farming, dairy and cheese factory came into being. In 1875, the Tambo school was established and later hotels and shops were set up in the area.[2]
Swan Reach Post Office opened on 1 February 1880. It was known from around 1906 to around 1911 as Swan Reach West in anticipation of a surveyed Swan Reach township to the east being established.[3]
Nearly everyone currently residing in Swan Reach was born in Australia and they speak predominantly English. Religion is not very diverse with 100% of residents being Christian or subscribing to no religion.[4]
