Broken Hill
Statistical Area - sa2

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

As of August 2025, Broken Hill's population is approximately 17,563, a decrease of 25 people from the 2021 Census figure of 17,588. This decline, representing a 0.1% change, is inferred from the estimated resident population of 17,541 in June 2024 and an additional 9 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 103 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Broken Hill has shown 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 this period. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021.

Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, the area's population is expected to decrease by 4,161 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 85 and over group are projected to grow, with an increase of 102 people anticipated.

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 an additional two 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 $434,000, aligning with regional patterns. This year, commercial approvals totaling $24.7 million have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Broken Hill records about three-quarters the building activity per person. Nationally, it places among the 8th percentile of areas assessed, leading to relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings.

This level is below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. All recent development in Broken Hill has been comprised of detached houses, preserving its low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With an estimated 3814 people per dwelling approval, it reflects a quiet, low activity development environment. Population projections indicating stability or decline suggest reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified five projects likely to affect this region. Key projects are: 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.

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 prominent essential services sectors. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 4.4%.

The local employment rate stands at 7,326 residents, which is 0.7% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Broken Hill is lower at 52.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, mining, and retail trade. Mining is particularly strong, with an employment share 4.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 1.0% compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%. Some residents commute for work outside Broken Hill. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Broken Hill's labour force decreased by 1.8%, with employment declining by 3.2%, leading to a 1.5 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw a 0.1% employment drop, a 0.3% labour force expansion, and a 0.4 percentage point unemployment increase. 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, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Broken Hill is $51,977 and average income is $62,526. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 are approximately $58,531 (median) and $70,411 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates Broken Hill's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 11th and 19th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows 27.2% of locals earn between $400 - $799, unlike regional trends where 29.9% earn between $1,500 - $2,999. Housing costs are modest with 90.0% of income retained, ranking total disposable income 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, consisted of 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is comparable to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Broken Hill was at 43.9%, similar to Non-Metro NSW, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (31.3%) or rented (24.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $867, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average, while the median weekly rent figure was $220, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $205. Nationally, Broken Hill's median monthly 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 constitute 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 account for the remaining 39.4%, with lone person households at 37.1% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of NSW.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.5%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (7.9%) and certificates (30.7%).

Educational participation is high at 27.9%, including 10.6% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education. A network of 10 schools operates within Broken Hill, educating approximately 2,551 students. This includes 8 primary schools 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, serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 18 individual routes, offering a total of 1,046 weekly passenger trips. The city's transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 226 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 149 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 11 weekly trips per 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.

Approximately 51% (~8,974 people) have private health cover, slightly lower than the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.0%) and asthma (10.2%), with 56.6% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 57.9% in Rest of NSW. As of 2016, 23.7% (~4,167 people) are aged 65 and over. Seniors' health outcomes present challenges broadly mirroring the general population's 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 has a cultural diversity index below the average, with 89.1% of its population being Australian citizens, 94.3% born in Australia, and 96.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Broken Hill, comprising 43.8% of the population, compared to 44.9% across the rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (34.2%), English (29.9%), and Australian Aboriginal (7.3%).

Notably, Maltese (1.2%) and Filipino (1.1%) populations are slightly higher than 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 the Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to the 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 grown from 10.7% to 11.8%, while the 55-64 age group has declined from 14.6% to 13.0% and the 45-54 age group has 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 over will grow by 22%, reaching 654 from 535. This demographic aging trend means that residents aged 65 and older will represent all the anticipated growth. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 45-54 age groups are expected to decrease in number.