Chart Color Schemes
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 Narrabri is $480k, with units at $265k. House values have moved 6.5% 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.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Narrabri has an estimated 6,942 residents, up from 6,898 at the 2021 Census. Density is about 39 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic analysis from AreaSearch places Narrabri's population at approximately 6,942 as of Aug 2026. This represents a gain of 44 people (0.6%) compared to the 6,898 people recorded in the 2021 Census. The updated count incorporates an ABS estimated resident population of 6,942 as of June 2025 alongside 49 validated new addresses registered since the Census date. This population density stands at 38 persons per square kilometer, offering residents substantial living space. While Narrabri's 0.6% expansion since the 2021 census slightly exceeded the SA3 area (0.5%), overall growth remains modest and was primarily underpinned by natural increase, which generated approximately 55.0% of recent population additions.
Projections published in 2024 with 2022 as the base year from ABS/Geoscience Australia are utilized by AreaSearch across SA2 areas, with NSW State Government SA2 level projections released in 2022 based on 2021 applied where coverage is unavailable. Age-group growth rates from these series are applied across all locations for the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic projections place the district in line with lower quartile growth rates outside capital cities, with the locality forecast to add 15 persons to 2041 according to the latest annual ERP population numbers, representing a 0.2% overall increase across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
50 new dwellings have been approved in Narrabri over the past five years, an average of 10 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Narrabri have averaged around 10 residential properties annually, amounting to 50 homes over the past 5 financial years. In the context of recent population declines, construction volumes have maintained an adequate relative pace to benefit prospective purchasers, with new builds recording an average value of $496,000. In addition, commercial planning registrations have reached $15.1 million in commercial approvals this financial year, reflecting moderate commercial building activity. On a per-resident basis, building activity in Narrabri is 55.0% above Rest of NSW, broadening options for home buyers despite recent slowing in construction volume.
Activity tracks under the national average, pointing to an established urban footprint with potential planning constraints. Composition of new construction is weighted heavily toward low density, consisting of 80.0% standalone homes and 20.0% medium and high-density housing that appeals to buyers seeking space. An estimated ratio of 1082 people per dwelling approval further underlines the subdued and quiet pace of local property development. Based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, long-term projections anticipate Narrabri adding 15 residents by 2041. Present construction levels appear sufficient to satisfy anticipated housing demand, supporting favorable buyer conditions while creating capacity for growth to outpace baseline forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Narrabri
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Narrabri, worth an estimated $611 million. A further 76 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $11.2 billion. 20 are already under construction and 33 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, residential development and transport & logistics. 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
Major planning initiatives and capital works have a substantial bearing on district performance. AreaSearch has identified 4 key projects likely to impact the locality, including the Narrabri Place Strategy, Newell Highway Upgrade - Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades (Narrabri to Moree), Stoney Creek Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and the Narrabri Solar Farm and BESS.
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
Stoney Creek Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
A major long-duration energy storage project featuring a 125 MW / 1,000 MWh battery system with an 8-hour discharge capacity. Located adjacent to the Narrabri Transgrid substation, it utilizes Energy Vault's B-VAULT architecture to enhance grid reliability and support the NSW renewable energy transition. The project was awarded a 14-year Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) and is transitioning to an 'Own and Operate' model under Energy Vault.
Narrabri Place Strategy
A 20-year strategic framework finalised in April 2025 by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure together with Narrabri Shire Council. The strategy provides the planning framework to rezone land across three precincts under the Narrabri Local Environmental Plan 2012, supporting at least 2,100 new flood-free homes with a mix of detached and medium-density housing, a revitalised town centre featuring an Eat Street dining concept, new health, aged care and childcare facilities, potential school sites and improved sport and active transport networks.A new employment lands precinct between the Newell Highway and the Inland Rail corridor will support light industrial and commercial uses, while a separate Northern NSW Inland Port precinct will accommodate heavier industrial activity leveraging the Inland Rail project. The strategy is expected to generate around 600 new jobs. Development applications consistent with the strategy can now be lodged with Narrabri Shire Council. Replaces the earlier Narrabri Special Activation Precinct process.
Newell Highway Upgrade - Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades (Narrabri to Moree)
Jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments, this project delivered more than 20 km of heavy duty pavement upgrades across four priority sections of the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree. Works included new heavy duty pavement, wider shoulders, upgraded intersections, five overtaking lanes, improved drainage, flood resilience improvements and the new Spring Creek heavy vehicle rest area. The project was completed in September 2025.
Narrabri Solar Farm
Proposed 140 MW DC solar farm with a 100 MW battery energy storage system on about 312 hectares of private rural land north-east of Narrabri. The project is in the Environmental Impact Statement phase of the NSW State Significant Development process after receiving SEARs on 5 July 2024. It would connect to the existing 132 kV transmission line, supply the National Electricity Market, power about 35,000 homes, avoid about 182,000 tonnes of CO2 each year and support about 100 construction jobs plus 3 operational jobs.
Narrabri Gas Project
The Narrabri Gas Project involves the progressive development of up to 850 coal seam gas wells across 95,000 hectares in the Pilliga State Forest and surrounds, targeting the Gunnedah Basin approximately 600km north-west of Sydney. The project, 100 per cent committed to the domestic market, could supply up to half of NSW's natural gas needs at up to 200 terajoules per day over an estimated 25-year field life. Operations will occupy around 1,000 hectares, primarily on state land.The NSW IPC approved the project in August 2020, followed by federal environmental approval. The National Native Title Tribunal ruled in Santos' favour in May 2025 subject to 23 conditions; the Gomeroi people have lodged a further appeal with a Federal Court hearing scheduled for March 2026. The Environmental Impact Statement for the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline was publicly released in late 2025 with submissions closing December 2025. Santos has signed MOUs with ENGIE, Orica, and Narrabri Shire Council for domestic gas supply. A final investment decision is expected in 2026, subject to resolution of outstanding native title and pipeline approvals.
Inland Rail - Narrabri to North Star - Phase One
Upgrade of approximately 171km of existing rail track and construction of new track to accommodate double-stacked freight trains as part of the broader Inland Rail project. This phase is now complete and operational.
Vickery Extension Project
The Vickery Extension Project involves the construction of a new open-cut coal mine and associated on-site infrastructure 25 kilometres north of Gunnedah. The $700 million project has a 25-year lifespan, producing metallurgical and thermal coal, and will create approximately 500 construction and 450 operational jobs.
Sawmill Business Centre Stage 2
Second stage development of the Sawmill Business Centre providing additional commercial and light industrial facilities. Project includes new warehouse spaces, office buildings, and improved infrastructure to support local business growth.
3,951 residents of Narrabri are employed, from a labour force of 4,095. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 72.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% 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
Narrabri maintains a diverse workforce balanced across blue and white collar positions in various industries, alongside a low unemployment rate of 3.5%. As of March 2026, 3,951 residents are employed, with local joblessness sitting 0.6% beneath the 4.1% rate seen across Regional NSW. Labor participation reaches 72.7%, significantly outperforming the Regional NSW rate of 60.6%. Census data recorded 8.6% of workers working from home, though potential effects from Covid-19 lockdown restrictions should be considered. The primary employment sectors for local residents comprise retail trade, health care & social assistance, and mining.
Mining representation is particularly strong, with local employment running at 3.6 times the regional average. In contrast, health care & social assistance engages a smaller share of local workers at 13.0% compared to 16.9% throughout Regional NSW. Census comparisons between working residents and local population suggest that a significant number of workers commute outside the area for employment. AreaSearch assessment of ABS and SALM figures indicates that over the 12-month period, the local labor force contracted by 2.1% while total employment fell by 3.8%, lifting the unemployment rate by 1.7 percentage points. Across Regional NSW, employment fell by 0.9%, the labour force declined by 0.4%, and unemployment increased by 0.5 percentage points. Future workplace demand can be evaluated using national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 across five and ten-year intervals. Nationally, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with wide variation across industries. Weighting these sector forecasts against Narrabri's employment profile indicates local job gains of 5.8% over five years and 12.5% over ten years (provided as an illustrative weighting extrapolation that excludes localized population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Narrabri is $1,558 a week (about $81,000 a year), with median personal income at $820 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,981 a year against an average of $67,264. 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
Postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that the Narrabri SA2 recorded a median taxpayer income of $55,981 and an average income of $67,264. These levels align with national figures and exceed Regional NSW medians of $52,390 and averages of $65,215. Adjusting for 10.32% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023 produces modeled benchmarks of approximately $61,758 (median) and $74,206 (average) as of March 2026. In the Census 2021, personal, family, and household earnings placed in moderate brackets between the 38th and 52nd percentiles. By earnings distribution, the largest cohort includes 31.5% of residents (2,186 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, mirroring metropolitan distributions where 29.9% occupy the same tier.
Housing costs remain manageable with 87.5% retained, while uncommitted income ranks at the 43rd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Narrabri had 2,617 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 1% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 34% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $260 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,443 a month. Rent absorbs 16.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential property stock at the latest Census comprised 86.7% houses and 13.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Outright home ownership stood at 34.0%, trailing regional rates, while 32.3% of homes carried a mortgage and 33.7% were rented. Housing affordability remains favorable, with median monthly mortgage payments of $1,443 and weekly rents of $260 tracking well below Regional NSW levels of $1,733 and $330. These figures also represent substantial discounts against national medians of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Narrabri counted 2,617 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 67.3% of all households, encompassing 28.8% couples without children, 25.6% couples with children, and 11.8% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 32.7%, comprising 29.8% lone person households and 2.8% group households. The median household size is 2.4 people, matching the average across Regional NSW.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.2% of adults in Narrabri hold a university qualification, including 11.3% with a bachelor degree and 2.7% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 91% of areas nationally. A further 31.0% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,256 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 898 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
Attainment of higher education qualifications in the district remains an area for development, with tertiary university attainment at 15.2% sitting well below the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees make up 11.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Vocational qualifications are prominent, with 39.0% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of certificates (31.0%) and advanced diplomas (8.0%). Participation in study is robust, with 29.8% of the local population engaged in formal education. This enrollment includes 13.0% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 2.3% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Narrabri reaches 142 stops on 32 routes, timetabled for about 340 services a week. The typical home sits about 240 m from its nearest stop. 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 transportation within Narrabri encompasses 142 active transport stops across bus and rail networks, serviced by 32 separate routes providing 336 weekly passenger trips. Commuter accessibility is favorable, with residents living an average of 237 meters from their closest transport stop. Due to its residential character, outward travel is standard, with private vehicles accounting for 91% of trips and households owning an average of 1.5 vehicles. Census 2021 records indicated that 8.6% of residents worked from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Across all transit routes, service frequency averages 48 trips per day, translating to roughly 2 weekly trips per stop.
The 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint are displayed on the accompanying map.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.3% of residents in Narrabri report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 78% of areas nationally. 6.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic condition incidence and mortality statistics point to health challenges in Narrabri across older and younger cohorts. Private health insurance coverage slightly leads the SA2 average, covering approximately 53% of the total population (~3,651 people). Asthma and arthritis represent the most common diagnosed conditions, affecting 9.8% and 9.5% of the local population, respectively, while 63.3% of residents reported no medical ailments, matching the 63.3% rate across Regional NSW. Chronic conditions show elevated prevalence among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over account for 21.1% of residents (1,465 people), lower than the 23.3% recorded for Regional NSW, with senior health indicators showing challenges that align broadly with national outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Narrabri is largely Australian-born, at 94.5% of residents, with 3.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (37.8%) and English (28.4%). 10.6% 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
Narrabri displays below-average levels of cultural diversity, with 94.5% of residents born in Australia, 90.1% holding citizenship, and 96.5% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity is the leading religious denomination, representing 64.7% of the community compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Based on parental country of birth, the primary ancestries in Narrabri are Australian at 37.8% (surpassing the 30.0% regional benchmark), English at 28.4%, and Australian Aboriginal at 10.6% (exceeding the regional average of 4.6%). Other groups show distinct local concentrations, including Samoan ancestry representing 0.1% of Narrabri compared to 0.1% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Narrabri is 39. 25.6% 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 Narrabri closely mirrors regional benchmarks, with the largest divergence against Regional NSW across the four broad cohorts measuring 2.6 percentage points. The median age is estimated at 39, unchanged from the 2021 Census and 4 years below the Regional NSW median of 43 at that Census. The most pronounced shift since the Census is a contraction in the 45 - 64 cohort of middle-aged residents and young retirees from 24.9% to an estimated 22.4%. Projections to 2041 indicate that expansion will center in the 65+ age bracket, adding 174 residents (12%) to reach 1,639, while cohorts of children, young adults, and middle-aged to young retirees decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Narrabri
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month 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 last month 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 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 3 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 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| 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 — 49 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,898 at the 2021 Census → 6,942 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 (110031197). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.