Coonabarabran

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

Coonabarabran's population was 7,969 as of November 2025, an increase of 48 people from its 2021 Census figure of 7,921. This growth represents a 0.6% change since the census. The population estimate for June 2024 was 7,946, with an additional 51 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this increase. This results in a population density ratio of 0.80 persons per square kilometer. Coonabarabran's growth rate of 0.6% is within 2.4 percentage points of its SA4 region's growth rate of 3.0%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during this period.

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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, 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. By 2041, population projections indicate a decline of 774 persons overall. However, specific age cohorts are expected 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 over the past five financial years, totalling 33 homes. As of FY26, 10 approvals have been recorded. The population decline during this period suggests that new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering good choice to buyers. New properties are constructed at an average value of $375,000.

In the current financial year, $3.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Coonabarabran shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 85.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties, although building activity has accelerated in recent years. The area's construction activity is also below national averages, reflecting its maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 67.0% standalone homes and 33.0% attached dwellings, showing an expanding range of medium-density options to create a mix of opportunities across price brackets. This represents a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is currently 96.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements.

The estimated count of 1060 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. With population projections showing stability or decline, Coonabarabran should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Coonabarabran has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Oxley Highway Improvements at Goolhi, Inland Rail - Narromine to Narrabri, Valley of the Winds Wind Farm, and Liverpool Range Wind Farm. The following list details projects most relevant to the area.

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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Coonabarabran recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Coonabarabran's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. The unemployment rate in September 2025 was 4.1%. There were 3,215 residents employed at that time, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% higher than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation lagged significantly at 50.6%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census responses, 19.8% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area had a particular specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 5.2 times the regional level.

However, construction had limited presence at 5.5%, compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally, as indicated by the working population count versus resident population. In the 12-month period ending in May-25, labour force decreased by 4.1% and employment declined by 5.1%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. This contrasted with the Rest of NSW, where employment fell by 0.5%, labour force contracted by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia indicated growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coonabarabran's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 11.8% over ten years, though these estimates were simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and did not account for localized population projections.

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

The Coonabarabran SA2's income level is below the national average according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Coonabarabran SA2 is $41,843, with an average income of $49,833. These figures compare to Rest of NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Coonabarabran SA2 would be approximately $45,550 (median) and $54,248 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Coonabarabran all fall between the 6th and 7th percentiles nationally. The $400 - 799 income bracket dominates with 28.6% of residents (2,279 people), differing from regional patterns where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 29.9%. Housing costs are modest, allowing for 91.2% of income to be retained, but the total disposable income ranks at just the 12th percentile nationally.

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

Coonabarabran's dwellings were 96.0% houses and 4.0% other types as of the latest Census. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% others. Home ownership in Coonabarabran stood at 52.7%, with mortgages at 25.2% and rentals at 22.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $871, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Coonabarabran was $200, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. 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 comprise 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 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.3%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (31.3%).

Educational participation is high, with 32.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.9% in primary education, 11.1% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transportation in Coonabarabran indicates that there are 495 active transport stops currently operating. These include a mix of train and bus services. A total of 42 individual routes service these stops, collectively providing 434 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 204 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The dominant mode of transportation remains the car, used by 85% of residents, while 10% walk to their destinations.

On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling in the area. According to the 2021 Census, some 19.8% of residents work from home, which may reflect conditions related to COVID-19. The service frequency averages approximately 62 trips per day across all routes, equating to roughly 0 weekly trips per individual stop. A map accompanies this analysis and shows the locations of the 100 nearest stops to the area's centrepoint.

Health performance in Coonabarabran is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Coonabarabran faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial among both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is extremely low, at approximately 46% of the total population (around 3,665 people), compared to 51.9% in the Rest of NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis, affecting 12.6% of residents, and asthma, impacting 8.9%. However, 59.6% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in the Rest of NSW. Working-age individuals face significant health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 28.7% of residents aged 65 and over (around 2,286 people), compared to 23.0% in the Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present notable challenges, ranking even higher than those of the general population nationally.

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 level below average, with 84.0% of its population being Australian citizens, 93.1% born in Australia, and 97.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Coonabarabran, accounting for 67.0% of its population, compared to 55.9% across the Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.3%), English (32.6%), and Australian Aboriginal (8.3%).

Notably, Maltese, Macedonian, and Irish ethnicities showed variations in representation: Maltese was at 0.4%, compared to 0.4% regionally; Macedonian was at 0.1%, versus 0.4%; and Irish was at 7.8%, compared to 8.8%.

Coonabarabran ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Coonabarabran has a median age of 50, which is higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and also above the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group makes up 15.1% of Coonabarabran's population, compared to Rest of NSW's figure and well above the national average of 9.4%. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age cohort is less prevalent at 8.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 8.9% to 9.9%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.0% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Coonabarabran's age profile will change significantly. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 89 people (30%), from 299 to 389. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for all of Coonabarabran's population growth, reflecting its aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 age cohorts.