Bourke - Brewarrina

Bourke - Brewarrina has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Bourke-Brewarrina's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 3,562 people. This figure reflects an increase from the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,428 people. The growth of 134 people (3.9%) is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,503 in June 2024 and an additional 33 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Bourke-Brewarrina's growth rate of 3.9% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA3 area (2.6%) and the SA4 region, making it a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 68.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, the area's population is expected to decline by 985 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 85 and over group are projected to increase, with an anticipated growth of 68 people during this period.

The level of residential development activity in Bourke - Brewarrina is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Bourke-Brewarrina has had minimal residential development activity, with an average of three dwelling approvals per year over the past five years (17 approvals in total). This low level of development reflects the rural nature of the area, where housing needs are typically specific and local rather than driven by broader market demand. It is important to note that with such low approval numbers, yearly growth figures and relativities can vary significantly based on individual projects.

Bourke-Brewarrina shows significantly less construction activity than the rest of NSW, and its development pattern is also below national averages. Recent construction comprises 67.0% standalone homes and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 94.0% houses. This change may be due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Given stable or declining population forecasts for Bourke-Brewarrina, there may be less housing pressure in the area, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Bourke - Brewarrina may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Bourke - Brewarrina has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 18thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. A single project has been identified by AreaSearch that is expected to impact the area. Notable projects include the NSW Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) Program, Macquarie-Castlereagh Alluvium Water Resource Plan, Newell Highway Upgrade, and Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant:.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment conditions in Bourke - Brewarrina face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Bourke-Brewarrina has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 9.2% as of September 2025.

In this period, 1,445 residents were employed while the area's unemployment rate was 5.3% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was lower at 52.6%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors included agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and public administration & safety. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had particularly high concentration with employment levels at 3.7 times the regional average.

Manufacturing employed only 1% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.8%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. In a 12-month period ending in September 2025, labour force decreased by 4.1%, employment declined by 5.5%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 1.3 percentage points. Rest of NSW recorded lower declines during this period. State-level data up to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% with a state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Bourke-Brewarrina's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates that Bourke - Brewarrina SA2 has an income below the national average. The median income is $51,600 while the average income stands at $60,473. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures where the median income is $49,459 and the average income is $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $58,107 (median) and $68,099 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census data shows personal income ranks at the 42nd percentile ($770 weekly), while household income sits at the 24th percentile. Distribution data reveals that the predominant cohort spans 27.8% of locals (990 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort likewise represents 29.9%. Housing costs are manageable with 91.6% retained, though disposable income sits below average at the 35th percentile.

Bourke - Brewarrina is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Bourke-Brewarrina, as per the latest Census evaluation, 94.0% of dwellings were houses with 6.0% being other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Bourke-Brewarrina was 33.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.4% and rented ones at 46.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,000. Weekly rent in the area was recorded at $160, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $180. Nationally, Bourke-Brewarrina's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bourke - Brewarrina features high concentrations of lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 64.3% of all households, including 23.9% couples with children, 22.8% couples without children, and 15.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 35.7%, with lone person households at 33.4% and group households at 2.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Bourke - Brewarrina faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 19.7%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 34.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (24.1%). Educational participation is high, with 36.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 16.5% in primary, 9.2% in secondary, and 2.8% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 36.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 16.5% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis indicates 106 operational stops in Bourke - Brewarrina area, offering both train and bus services. These stops are served by 15 distinct routes, facilitating a total of 105 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is evaluated as limited, with residents generally situated 6653 meters away from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 15 trips daily across all routes, translating to roughly 0 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Bourke - Brewarrina is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Bourke-Brewarrina faces significant health challenges. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~1,781 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and arthritis, impacting 8.6% and 6.7% of residents respectively. 70.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.9% across Rest of NSW. The area has 16.5% of residents aged 65 and over (587 people), which is lower than the 20.2% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Bourke - Brewarrina is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Bourke-Brewarrina had a cultural diversity index below average, with 79.9% being citizens and 94.3% born in Australia. English was spoken at home by 95.1%. Christianity was the prevalent religion, comprising 65.5%, compared to 67.2% regionally.

The top ancestry groups were Australian Aboriginal (27.9%), Australian (26.2%), and English (23.7%). Notably, Irish ancestry was overrepresented at 7.7%.

Bourke - Brewarrina's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Bourke-Brewarrina is 36 years, which is significantly below Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's average of 38 years. The 0-4 age group makes up 7.9% of the population compared to Rest of NSW, while the 65-74 cohort comprises 9.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35-44 age group grew from 10.8% to 12.4%, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 4.2% to 5.6%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.7% to 9.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Bourke-Brewarrina. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 91%, reaching 130 people from 68, and the combined 65+ age groups will account for 100% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 0-4 and 45-54 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.