Broken Hill
Statistical Area - sa2

Broken Hill has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Broken Hill's population was approximately 17,563 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents a decrease of 25 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 17,588. The change is inferred from an estimated resident population of 17,541 in June 2024 and the addition of 9 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 103 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Broken Hill exhibited resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of -0.6%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projections indicate an overall population decline of 4,161 persons by 2041. However, growth is expected in specific age cohorts, notably the 85 and over age group, projected to expand by 102 people.

The level of residential development activity in Broken Hill is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Broken Hill has received approximately six dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 33 homes were approved, with two more approved in FY26 so far. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average value of new homes being built is $316,000. In terms of commercial development, $24.7 million in approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating moderate levels of activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Broken Hill records about three-quarters the building activity per person and places among the 8th percentile nationally, suggesting relatively constrained buyer choice and interest in existing properties. This is also reflected by development activity being below the national average, implying the area's established nature and potential planning limitations.

All recent development has been detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With an estimated 3814 people per dwelling approval, this reflects a quiet, low activity development environment. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Broken Hill may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Broken Hill has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 12thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified five projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable among these are the Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment - MHIPU, ED Upgrade and Key Worker Accommodation, Silver City Energy Storage Centre (Hydrostor A-CAES), Broken Hill Town Square Redevelopment, and Broken Hill Community Health Centre. The following details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Broken Hill shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Broken Hill's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with key sectors being health care & social assistance, mining, and retail trade. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate was 4.4%.

The employment share in mining is 4.6 times higher than the regional level. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 1.0% of Broken Hill's workforce compared to 5.3% in Rest of NSW. While local employment opportunities exist, many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.8%, with a 3.2% decline in employment, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 1.5 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of NSW saw a 0.1% employment fall, labour force expansion of 0.3%, and unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Broken Hill's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Broken Hill was $51,977 and average income was $62,526. These figures are below the national averages of $53,884 (median) and $67,214 (average). In comparison, Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998 in 2022. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $58,531 (median) and $70,411 (average) in Broken Hill. Census 2021 data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Broken Hill fall between the 11th and 19th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows 27.2% of locals earn between $400 - $799 per week (4,777 people), unlike regional trends where 29.9% earn between $1,500 - $2,999 per week. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 90.0% income retention, total disposable income ranks at the 18th percentile nationally.

Broken Hill is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Broken Hill's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, were 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), similar to Non-Metro NSW's composition of 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Broken Hill stood at 43.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.3% and rented ones at 24.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $220, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $205. Nationally, Broken Hill's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Broken Hill features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 60.6% of all households, including 19.3% couples with children, 26.0% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 39.4%, with lone person households at 37.1% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of NSW.

Broken Hill faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The university qualification rate in the area is 13.5%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.9%) and certificates (30.7%). Educational participation is high at 27.9%, with 10.6% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

There are 10 schools operating within Broken Hill, educating approximately 2,551 students. The area has varied educational conditions, with a balanced provision of 8 primary and 2 secondary schools serving distinct age groups.

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

Broken Hill has 92 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 18 individual routes in total, providing 1,046 weekly passenger trips collectively.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 226 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 149 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 11 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Broken Hill is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Broken Hill faces significant health challenges, affecting both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is held by approximately 51% of the total population (~8,974 people), slightly lower than the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (impacting 12.0%) and asthma (affecting 10.2%). A total of 56.6% of residents report being free from medical ailments, compared to 57.9% in Rest of NSW. Broken Hill has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 23.7% (4,167 people). Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

The latest Census data sees Broken Hill placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Broken Hill's population showed low cultural diversity, with 89.1% being Australian citizens, 94.3% born in Australia, and 96.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 43.8%, slightly lower than the 44.9% across the rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.2%), English (29.9%), and Australian Aboriginal (7.3%).

Notably, Maltese (1.2%) and Filipino (1.1%) populations were slightly higher compared to regional averages of 1.1% and 1.0%, respectively.

Broken Hill hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Broken Hill's median age is 44 years, similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Broken Hill has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (12.9%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (10.2%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 35-44 has increased from 10.7% to 11.8%. Conversely, the age groups of 55-64 have decreased from 14.6% to 13.0%, and those aged 45-54 have dropped from 11.4% to 10.2%. By 2041, Broken Hill's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 85 and above will grow by 22%, reaching 654 from 535. This demographic aging trend continues as all growth in the population is expected to come from residents aged 65 and older. Conversely, both the ages 0-4 and 45-54 groups are projected to decrease in number.