Coonabarabran
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Coonabarabran's population is around 8,033 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase from its population of 7,921 in the 2021 Census, a rise of 112 people (1.4%). The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,955 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 43 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.80 persons per square kilometer. Coonabarabran's growth rate of 1.4% since the census places it within 1.8 percentage points of its SA4 region (3.2%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this population increase.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Population projections indicate a decline over this period, with the area's population expected to contract by 774 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 85 and over age group, projected to increase by 80 people.

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

Coonabarabran has recorded approximately six residential properties granted approval each year. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 33 approvals across the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, with four approvals so far in FY26. The population has been declining recently, yet development activity has been adequate relative to this decline, benefiting buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost of $375,000, below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers.

In FY26, $3.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting limited focus on commercial development compared to residential. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Coonabarabran records significantly lower building activity, 85.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, although development activity has increased in recent periods. This activity is also below average nationally, indicating possible planning constraints or the area's maturity. Recent construction comprises 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a shift from the current 96.0% houses, suggesting evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs, as well as diminishing developable land availability. The estimated population per dwelling approval is around 1060 people, reflecting its quiet development environment.

With stable or declining population forecasts, Coonabarabran may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Coonabarabran has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects likely impacting the region. Key projects include Inland Rail from Narromine to Narrabri (2025), Valley of the Winds Wind Farm (2023), Oxley Highway improvements at Goolhi (2024), and Liverpool Range Wind Farm (2026). The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Coonabarabran has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well-represented, and the unemployment rate is 4.1%.

As of June 2025, there are 3,240 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, 0.9% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation stands at 47.0%, significantly lower than the regional average of 56.4%. Key employment industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly prominent with an employment share of 5.2 times the regional level, while construction has limited presence at 5.5% compared to the regional average of 9.7%.

The area may have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.8%, and employment fell by 3.5%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 1.7 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1% and unemployment rise by 0.4%. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%, slightly lower than the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's projections suggest national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific growth rates vary significantly. Applying these projections to Coonabarabran's employment mix indicates potential local growth of approximately 5.3%% over five years and 11.8% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Coonabarabran's median income among taxpayers was $40,487 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $49,761 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of NSW of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $44,779 (median) and $55,036 (average) as of March 2025. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Coonabarabran all fall between the 6th and 7th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $400 - 799 dominates with 28.6% of residents (2,297 people), differing from patterns across the region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 29.9%. Housing costs are modest, with 91.2% of income retained. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 13th percentile nationally.

Coonabarabran is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Coonabarabran, as per the latest Census, 96.0% of dwellings were houses while 4.0% were other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This differs from Non-Metro NSW where 88.0% were houses and 12.1% were other dwellings. Home ownership in Coonabarabran stood at 52.7%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 25.2% and rented ones making up 22.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $871, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,450. The median weekly rent in Coonabarabran was $200, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $280. Nationally, Coonabarabran's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Coonabarabran features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.0% of all households, including 21.9% couples with children, 31.0% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.0%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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

Coonabarabran has lower university qualification rates at 15.3%, compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (31.3%).

Educational participation is high at 32.2%, involving primary education (11.9%), secondary education (11.1%), and tertiary education (2.4%). Coonabarabran has a network of 10 schools educating approximately 1,144 students. The school mix includes 4 primary, 1 secondary, and 5 K-12 schools. Note: if school enrolments are 'n/a', refer to the parent campus.

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

Coonabarabran has 471 active public transport stops offering train and bus services. These stops are served by 41 routes that facilitate 338 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 204 meters, indicating good accessibility.

On average, there are 48 trips daily across all routes, which amounts to approximately zero weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Critical health challenges are evident across Coonabarabran with a range of health conditions impacting both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~3,703 people), compared to 49.7% across Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, impacting 12.6% and 8.9% of residents respectively, while 59.6% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 64.1% across Rest of NSW.

The area has 28.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,304 people), higher than the 19.5% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Coonabarabran had a cultural diversity index below average, with 84.0% of its population being citizens, 93.1% born in Australia, and 97.2% speaking English only at home as of the 2016 Census. The predominant religion was Christianity, practiced by 67.0% of Coonabarabran's residents, compared to 65.6% across Rest of NSW during the same period. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (33.3%), English (32.6%), and Australian Aboriginal (8.3%).

Notably, Maltese ancestry was overrepresented at 0.4%, Macedonian at 0.1%, and Irish at 7.8% compared to regional averages of 0.2%, 0.0%, and 8.2% respectively.

Coonabarabran ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Coonabarabran has a median age of 50, which is higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and above the national average of 38. The percentage of people aged 65-74 in Coonabarabran is 15.1%, compared to 9.4% nationally and 12.1% in the Rest of NSW. Meanwhile, the proportion of those aged 25-34 is lower at 8.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 35-44 has increased from 8.9% to 9.9%, while the 45-54 age group has decreased from 12.0% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Coonabarabran's age profile. The number of people aged 85 and above is expected to grow by 86 individuals (29%), from 302 to 389. Notably, the combined population growth will be entirely due to increases in the 65+ age groups. Conversely, populations in the 35-44 and 0-4 age cohorts are projected to decline.