Walgett - Lightning Ridge
Statistical Area - sa2

Walgett - Lightning Ridge has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Walgett - Lightning Ridge's population is around 5,795 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 261 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,534 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,784 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional five validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 0.20 persons per square kilometer. Walgett - Lightning Ridge's growth rate of 4.7% since the 2021 census exceeded that of the SA3 area (2.6%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 70.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projections indicate a decline in overall population over this period, with Walgett - Lightning Ridge's population expected to shrink by 1,552 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth is anticipated across specific age cohorts, led by the 85 and over age group, which is projected to expand by 43 people.

The level of residential development activity in Walgett - Lightning Ridge is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Walgett - Lightning Ridge has seen approximately four dwellings granted development approval annually. Between the financial years 2021 (FY-21) and 2025 (FY-25), around twenty-three homes received such approval, with an additional four approved in FY-26 to date. Despite population decline, housing supply has been adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with varied buyer choices.

The average expected construction cost for new homes is $524,000. In terms of commercial development, approximately $18.3 million in approvals have been recorded this financial year. Comparatively, Walgett - Lightning Ridge records around 59% of the building activity per person when measured against the rest of NSW.

Nationally, it ranks among the 10th percentile of areas assessed, indicating relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties. This level of activity is below the national average, suggesting an established area with potential planning limitations. New development consists of approximately 67% detached dwellings and 33% attached dwellings, including a growing mix of townhouses and apartments offering options across different price points. Stable or declining population forecasts may indicate less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Walgett - Lightning Ridge has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 12thth percentile nationally

No factors impact an area's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, significant projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has pinpointed 0 projects that could affect this region. Notable projects are Inland Rail - Narromine to Narrabri, Macquarie-Castlereagh Alluvium Water Resource Plan, Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan, and Newell Highway Upgrade. The following list details those most pertinent.

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

Employment conditions in Walgett - Lightning Ridge face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Walgett-Lightning Ridge has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, health care & social assistance.

As of June 2025, unemployment rate is 9.6%, above Rest of NSW's 3.7%. 2,193 residents are employed, participation rate is 41.6% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employment is high at 5.3 times the regional average. Construction sector is under-represented with only 3.5% of workforce compared to 9.7% in Rest of NSW.

Labour force decreased by 1.7%, employment declined by 5.4% over a year, causing unemployment rate rise by 3.6 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest Walgett-Lightning Ridge's local growth could be approximately 5.2% over five years and 11.6% over ten years.

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

Walgett - Lightning Ridge's median income among taxpayers was $41,131 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $49,311 during the same period. These figures are lower than those of Rest of NSW, which had median and average incomes of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Walgett - Lightning Ridge would be approximately $46,318 and $55,529 respectively, based on a 12.61% growth rate since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, income levels in Walgett - Lightning Ridge fall between the 3rd and 6th percentiles nationally for households, families, and personal incomes. The $400 - 799 income bracket dominated with 28.2% of residents (1,634 people), contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket led at 29.9%. Lower income households were notably prevalent, with 40.9% earning below $800 weekly. While housing costs were modest, with 89.9% of income retained, total disposable income ranked at just the 7th percentile nationally.

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

In Walgett-Lightning Ridge, as per the latest Census evaluation, 81.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 18.9% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Walgett-Lightning Ridge stood at 46.0%, with mortgaged properties at 17.1% and rented ones at 37.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $852, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,000. The median weekly rent was $179, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $180. Nationally, Walgett-Lightning Ridge's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $852 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 59.0% of all households, including 18.1% couples with children, 27.1% couples without children, and 12.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 41.0%, with lone person households at 37.3% and group households making up 3.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Walgett - Lightning Ridge faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 16.7%, substantially below the NSW average of 32.2%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 13.6%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.7% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.4%. Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 43.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 32.1%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 39.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 17.6% in primary education, 10.9% in secondary education, and 3.1% pursuing tertiary education. A robust network of 9 schools operates within Walgett - Lightning Ridge, educating approximately 875 students. The educational mix includes 5 primary, 1 secondary, and 3 K-12 schools.

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

Walgett - Lightning Ridge has 239 active public transport stops. These are served by a mix of trains and buses along 28 routes, offering 263 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 312 meters.

On average, there are 37 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop. Transport accessibility is rated as good.

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

Walgett - Lightning Ridge faces significant health challenges, with high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 46% (around 2,671 people), compared to 50.1% in the rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 10.6%) and asthma (7.8%).

Sixty-three point five percent declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, slightly lower than the 65.9% in the rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 23.3% (1,348 people), compared to 20.2% in the rest of NSW.

Walgett - Lightning Ridge is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Walgett-Lightning Ridge had a below average cultural diversity, with 71.3% of its population being citizens, 88.9% born in Australia, and 93.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 57.7%, compared to 67.2% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (27%), English (23.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (20.7%).

Notably, Serbian (0.8%) Hungarian (0.4%) and Croatian (0.6%) ethnicities were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.2% respectively.

Walgett - Lightning Ridge hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Walgett-Lightning Ridge's median age is 44 years, similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Walgett-Lighting Ridge has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (14.6%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (9.6%). Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the 75-84 age group increased from 6.5% to 7.5%, while the 55-64 age group decreased from 15.8% to 14.6%. By 2041, Walgett-Lighting Ridge is projected to see significant shifts in its age composition. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 48% (from 96 to 143 people), with residents aged 65 and older accounting for all the population growth. Conversely, both the 75-84 and 0-4 age groups are projected to decrease in number.