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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Far West is $270k. House values have moved -0.9% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Far West has an estimated 2,304 residents. 275 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to demographic research by AreaSearch, the resident count in Far West reaches approximately 2,304 as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 2,288 people, this represents an addition of 16 people (0.7%). This calculation combines the ABS estimated resident population figure of 2,302 recorded as of June 2025 with 275 validated new addresses registered following the Census. The local population density stands at 0.00 persons per square kilometer, highlighting an expansive living environment. While overall expansion is subdued, Far West's 0.7% post-2021 Census increase outpaced the broader SA3 area (-0.3%).
Net overseas arrivals served as the primary catalyst for demographic expansion, generating roughly 51.6% of recent population additions. Projections for each SA2 region are drawn from ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, supplemented by 2022 NSW State Government SA2 forecasts (base year 2021) where required. Cohort-specific growth trajectories from these datasets are further applied across all territories for the years 2032 to 2041. Over this projection horizon, the overall head count is anticipated to shrink, with forecasts pointing to a reduction of 399 persons by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, certain demographics will expand, most notably residents aged 85 and over, who are projected to increase by 48 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Building approvals in Far West remain exceptionally quiet, with an annual average of 3 approvals (accumulating to 17 approvals over five years). Such modest construction volume reflects the locality's rural setting, in which building activity responds to targeted community housing requirements rather than widespread property demand. Due to these small totals, annual percentage movements and comparisons can fluctuate substantially from one project to the next. Residential building output in Far West tracks well below the levels seen in Rest of NSW as well as broader nationwide benchmarks. Furthermore, detached houses accounted for the entirety of recent residential construction, aligning with the district's rural lifestyle centered on spacious, standalone properties.
A ratio of roughly 671 people per dwelling approval underscores this subdued, low-volume construction market. Given that demographic modeling projects steady or declining numbers, housing demand in Far West is likely to moderate, presenting favorable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Far West
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Far West, worth an estimated $917 million. A further 76 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $47.3 billion. 16 are already under construction and 20 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, residential development and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local capital projects, strategic planning, and infrastructure upgrades exert a decisive influence on regional progress. AreaSearch has highlighted 10 major developments likely to impact the locality. Prominent initiatives include the Silver City Energy Storage Centre, the Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment - MHIPU, ED Upgrade and Key Worker Accommodation, the Broken Hill Community Health Centre, and the Broken Hill Town Square Redevelopment.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Silverton Wind Farm
199 MW onshore wind farm with 58 GE 3.x turbines located on the Mundi Mundi and Mount Robe Ranges in far west NSW. Fully commissioned in 2020. Operations of the wind farm transferred from AGL to Tilt Renewables in 2024 under long term arrangements. Generates around 780,000 MWh per year.
Murray River to Broken Hill Water Pipeline
270 km bulk water pipeline from the Murray River (Wentworth) to the Mica Street WTP at Broken Hill. Delivers up to ~37 ML/day with multiple pump stations and bulk storage, securing long term water supply for Broken Hill and nearby communities. Built for WaterNSW; operations and maintenance delivered under a JV including John Holland and TRILITY.
Broken Hill North Mine Project
State Significant Development for recommencement of underground mining operations at the Broken Hill North Mine. The North Mine Deeps resource contains 3.7 million tonnes at 11.3% zinc, 13.5% lead and 219 g/t silver making it one of the highest grade deposits in the world.
Silver City Energy Storage Centre
The Silver City Energy Storage Centre is a 200 MW / 1,600 MWh Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) facility being developed by Hydrostor at a disused mine site on the northeast outskirts of Broken Hill. The plant will store excess renewable electricity by compressing air into a purpose-built underground cavern, then release it through turbines during peak demand to provide more than 8 hours of long-duration storage. It will form the backbone of a Broken Hill mini-grid capable of supplying the town independently of the National Electricity Market, replacing ageing diesel generators and improving energy security across the Far West region.The project secured Crown Lands lease arrangements with the NSW Government in November 2024 (65-year lease), Development Application approval from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in February 2025, and a USD 55 million credit facility from Export Development Canada in September 2025, on top of AUD 45 million from ARENA. In March 2026 the NSW Land and Environment Court upheld an appeal by neighbouring tourism operator Outback Astronomy and imposed amended consent conditions covering noise and light monitoring, consultation requirements at major project stages, and a requirement that a separate lapsed mining approval at the Flying Doctor deposit be confirmed surrendered before works commence. Construction is now expected to begin around September 2026, supporting up to 750 full-time equivalent job years and approximately AUD 240 million of expenditure in the local Broken Hill community.
Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage System
50MW/100MWh Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage System with grid-forming inverters. Provides grid stability and energy storage for the National Electricity Market. Funded by ARENA to provide grid stability for the region. Became operational in August 2024.
Broken Hill Community Health Centre
Integrated community health centre delivered as part of the Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment. The facility includes a five-chair dental health clinic, child and family/community health services and new staff offices. Works also reconfigured parts of the main hospital's ambulatory care wing.
Broken Hill Town Square Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the central town square completed in March 2025 to enhance accessibility, functionality, and event hosting capabilities. Features include improved all-abilities access to central lawn, new seating at footpath and lawn level, misting sculptures for cooling, integrated planter boxes with trees, feature paving showcasing local rocks and minerals, new shade structure inspired by mining heritage, and reinstallation of the Women's Memorial. The project forms part of a Welcome Walk linking the railway station to Sturt Park.
Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment - MHIPU, ED Upgrade and Key Worker Accommodation
A comprehensive redevelopment of health facilities in Broken Hill, featuring a new 8-bed Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit (AMHIPU) and a $12 million Emergency Department (ED) upgrade. The ED works included a full internal refurbishment, reconfiguration for improved patient flow, and a new 24/7 dedicated entrance. The project also delivered 20 new key worker accommodation units to support staff recruitment and retention in the Far West region. Stage 3, the final phase of the ED upgrade, was officially completed in December 2025, marking the conclusion of the broader redevelopment works.
918 residents of Far West are employed, from a labour force of 974. Unemployment sits at 5.7%, with participation at 52.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Far West maintains an even distribution of professional and manual roles across diverse sectors, characterized by steady employment trends over the preceding twelve months and an unemployment rate of 5.7%. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 918, while the local jobless rate stood 1.6% above the 4.1% recorded for Regional NSW. In addition, local labor force participation remains comparatively subdued at 52.2%, trailing Regional NSW's 60.6%. Census data indicates that 32.7% of workers conducted their duties from home, an outcome potentially influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. The primary employment fields for local workers are agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, along with health care & social assistance.
The local economy exhibits an intense concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, generating an employment concentration 8.6 times the regional norm. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 7.6% of jobs locally, underperforming Regional NSW's 16.9%. Although local roles exist, the relationship between resident workers and local job positions indicates substantial outward commuting. AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM metrics indicates that in the year to March 2026, job totals remained completely unchanged while the local workforce shrank by 2.2%, driving a 2.1 percentage point decline in the jobless rate. Over the identical timeframe, Regional NSW registered a 0.9% contraction in employment and a 0.4% drop in the labor pool, alongside a 0.5 percentage point increase in joblessness. Looking ahead, Jobs and Skills Australia's national projections from Mar-26 provide indicative guidance on medium-term labor demand. Nationwide employment is anticipated to climb 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, though industry variations exist. Weighting these sectoral expectations against Far West's existing industry profile points to projected local employment increases of 4.5% over five years and 10.4% over ten years (note this simple weighting serves illustrative purposes and excludes localized population models).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Far West is $1,103 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $583 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,186 a year against an average of $62,688. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Aggregated postcode figures from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place the median taxpayer income in the Far West SA2 at $53,186, with the average at $62,688. These earnings fall below national standards, differing from Regional NSW where median and mean incomes stood at $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Factoring in a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 produces updated estimates of approximately $58,675 (median) and $69,157 (mean) as of March 2026. Across household, family, and individual brackets in the 2021 Census, local earnings sat between the 7th and 10th percentiles nationwide.
The weekly bracket of $800 - 1,499 represents 26.6% of residents (612 individuals), whereas the regional profile centers on $1,500 - 2,999 (29.9%). Despite favorable housing affordability allowing residents to keep 92.3% of earnings, overall disposable income sits at only the 15th percentile across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Far West had 776 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 1% apartments. 13% are owned with a mortgage, 38% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $150 a week and the median mortgage repayment $932 a month. Rent absorbs 13.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, standalone houses formed 93.9% of local residential stock in Far West, while semi-detached dwellings, units, and other structures made up 6.1%, differing from Regional NSW's breakdown of 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% alternative dwellings. Outright ownership reached 49.2%, substantially exceeding regional benchmarks, while mortgaged properties accounted for 13.1% and rental housing comprised 37.7%. Typical monthly mortgage costs were notably low at $932 compared to $1,733 across Regional NSW, and weekly median rent was $150 compared to $330 regionally. Against nationwide figures, Far West features significantly more affordable shelter costs than the Australian median monthly mortgage payment of $1,863 and weekly median rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Far West counted 776 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 86% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 37% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the majority of households at 61.3%, broken down into couples with offspring (20.4%), couples without offspring (26.2%), and single parent arrangements (14.0%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 38.7%, primarily consisting of single-person dwellings at 36.7% alongside group accommodation at 2.1%. The typical household size sits at 2.4 people, exactly aligning with the Regional NSW norm.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.3% of adults in Far West hold a university qualification, including 10.1% with a bachelor degree and 2.8% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 88% of areas nationally. A further 27.1% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 220 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 743 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment reveals significant gaps, as only 15.3% of the community holds tertiary degrees compared to the NSW benchmark of 32.2%. Among higher qualifications, bachelor degrees represent 10.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Meanwhile, vocational education is well represented, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ possessing technical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (27.1%). A substantial 33.1% of local residents are actively pursuing formal study. Among this group, 14.7% attend primary school, 8.9% are in secondary school, and 1.7% are enrolled in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Far West reaches 19 stops on 13 routes, timetabled for about 1,100 services a week. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport services in Far West consist of 19 active transport stops covering bus and rail options. These facilities are connected by 13 individual routes that deliver 1,084 weekly passenger trips. Regional accessibility remains limited, with an average distance of 21458 meters to the closest transport stop. Due to the area's residential profile, travel is predominantly outward-bound, with private vehicles accounting for 66% of journeys and walking representing 28%. Households maintain an average of 1.5 motor vehicles, while 32.7% of residents worked remotely according to the 2021 Census (which may reflect prevailing COVID-19 settings).
Network operations generate an average of 154 trips per day across all transit corridors, which translates to roughly 57 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.9% of residents in Far West report no long-term health condition. 3.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators compiled by AreaSearch reveal noticeable challenges regarding chronic illness and mortality, with persistent ailments occurring across younger and older demographics alike. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is limited, held by approximately 50% of residents (~1,161 people), which trails the national benchmark of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis represent the primary chronic conditions locally, each recorded among 8.2 and 8.2% of residents, while 68.9% reported no long-term medical conditions, outpacing the 63.3% figure across Regional NSW. Working-age cohorts display elevated rates of chronic disorders. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 21.9% of the local population (503 people), below the Regional NSW proportion of 23.3%, and elderly residents achieve relatively strong health outcomes compared to national standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Far West is largely Australian-born, at 95.1% of residents, with 2.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.0%) and English (24.5%). 24.2% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Far West is relatively limited, with Australian citizens making up 80.6% of the population, 95.1% born within Australia, and 98.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity constitutes the leading religious affiliation, encompassing 53.8% of the community compared to 55.9% throughout Regional NSW. Examining parental heritage, the three largest ancestral backgrounds are Australian (27.0%), English (24.5%, trailing the regional proportion of 30.5%), and Australian Aboriginal (24.2%, well above the regional share of 4.6%). Other distinct demographic divergences include German lineage, which is elevated at 4.1% locally versus 3.1% regionally, and Macedonian heritage, registered at 0.1% compared to 0.4% across the broader region.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Far West is 43. 22.5% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution in Far West closely tracks Regional NSW benchmarks, with maximum cohort differences not exceeding 3.4 percentage points. The median age is an estimated 43 as at August 2026, identical to both the 2021 Census result and the regional median of 43 at that time, while sitting above the nationwide Census median of 38. Since the Census, residents aged 25 - 44 declined from 23.2% to an estimated 20.9%. Broad age categories are not expected to see meaningful expansion by 2041, with contractions anticipated across children, young adults, middle-aged groups, and early retirees.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Far West
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2025. | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 275 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,288 at the 2021 Census → 2,304 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (105021098). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.