Coonamble

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

Coonamble's population was approximately 4,120 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 194 people, a growth rate of 4.9% since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,926. The change is inferred from ABS data: the estimated resident population was 4,077 in June 2024 and there were an additional 16 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.30 persons per square kilometer. Coonamble's growth exceeded that of its SA3 area (2.5%) and SA4 region, making it a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 78.3% of overall population gains recently.

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. Projections indicate an overall population decline of 505 persons by 2041, but growth in specific age cohorts is expected, notably the 85 and over age group with a projected increase of 34 people.

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

Coonamble has averaged approximately six new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 31 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, three approvals have been recorded so far. The area's population decline suggests that new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice while new properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $364,000. This financial year has seen $6.2 million in commercial approvals registered, indicating limited focus on commercial development.

Compared to the Rest of NSW, Coonamble records somewhat elevated construction activity, with 16.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, preserving reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, this activity is lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New development consists of 60.0% standalone homes and 40.0% townhouses or apartments, expanding the range of medium-density options and creating a mix of opportunities across price brackets. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 95.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. The estimated population per dwelling approval in Coonamble is 661 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Coonamble may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Coonamble has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 14thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified four projects that could impact the area: Inland Rail from Narromine to Narrabri, Macquarie-Castlereagh Alluvium Water Resource Plan, Aero Park Residential Estate, and Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan. These are the key projects likely to have significant relevance.

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

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The labour market performance in Coonamble lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Coonamble's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate as of September 2025 was 5.6%. There were 1,632 residents in work, which was 1.7% higher than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation lagged at 55.5%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census responses, 14.6% of residents worked from home. Dominant employment sectors were agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had a share of 5.8 times the regional level.

Manufacturing was under-represented at 1.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 5.8%. The area offered limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 4.3% and employment declined by 5.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.3 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.5%, labour force contract by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate that while national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Coonamble's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.1% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Coonamble SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $46,133 and an average of $67,024. Nationally, this is approximately average. Rest of NSW had a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $50,220 (median) and $72,962 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, Coonamble's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 17th and 23rd percentiles nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 28.4% of residents (1,170 people), consistent with surrounding region trends at 29.9%. Housing costs are modest, with 91.1% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 26th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Coonamble, as per the latest Census, consisted of 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coonamble stood at 42.4%, with the rest being mortgaged (25.3%) or rented (32.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733 and Australia's national figure of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Coonamble was recorded at $190, significantly below Non-Metro NSW's $330 and the national average of $375.

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

Family households constitute 65.6% of all households, including 22.5% couples with children, 25.9% couples without children, and 15.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.4%, with lone person households at 31.3% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of NSW.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.2%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificates (27.4%). Educational participation is high at 32.2%, comprising primary education (13.7%), secondary education (9.3%), and tertiary education (2.9%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.7% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Coonamble has 193 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 19 different routes, providing a total of 195 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically living within 160 meters of the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 88%, while 10% walk. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 14.6% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 27 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Coonamble faces significant health challenges as assessed by AreaSearch.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is lower than the average SA2 area at approximately 52% of the total population (~2,146 people). The most common conditions are asthma (11.3%) and arthritis (8.9%), while 62.7% report no medical ailments compared to 63.3% in Rest of NSW. Working-age residents have notably high chronic condition rates. There are 18.2% of residents aged 65 and over (750 people), lower than the 23.0% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges, with national rankings higher than the general population.

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

Coonamble's cultural diversity was found to be below average. Its population comprised 84.7% citizens, with 96.2% born in Australia and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 73.9%, compared to 55.9% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.4%), English (24.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (22.1%). Notably, the English group was lower than the regional average of 30.5%, while the Australian Aboriginal group was substantially higher at 22.1% compared to the regional average of 4.6%.

Coonamble's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Coonamble is 37 years, which is lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 0-4 years make up 8.9% of the population, while those aged 65-74 years comprise 9.6%. Since 2021, the percentage of the population aged 15-24 has grown from 10.6% to 12.1%, while the percentages for those aged 45-54 have declined from 11.6% to 10.0% and those aged 25-34 have dropped from 12.5% to 11.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate that the number of people aged 85 and over will increase by 25 (a rise of 27%) from 93 to 119. Notably, all population growth in Coonamble will be due to increases in the combined age groups of 65 years and above, reflecting the area's aging demographic trends. Conversely, the populations aged 45-54 and 75-84 are expected to decrease.