Walgett - Lightning Ridge

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

Walgett - Lightning Ridge's population is approximately 5,799 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 265 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 5,534. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,784 in June 2024 and an additional seven validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.20 persons per square kilometer. Walgett - Lightning Ridge's 4.8% growth since the 2021 census exceeds that of the SA3 area (2.6%) and the SA4 region, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 70.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 uses 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 decrease by 1,552 persons by 2041. However, growth is anticipated within specific age cohorts, notably the 85 and over age group, 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. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 23 homes were approved, with another eight approved so far in FY26. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average expected construction cost value for new homes is $301,000. This financial year, commercial development approvals have reached $18.3 million, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Walgett - Lightning Ridge records about 59% of building activity per person and ranks in the 10th percentile nationally, leading to relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties.

This activity is below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments offering options across different price points. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Walgett - Lightning Ridge may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Walgett - Lightning Ridge has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

No infrastructure changes have significantly impacted this area yet. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could affect it. Notable initiatives include Inland Rail from Narromine to Narrabri, the Macquarie-Castlereagh Alluvium Water Resource Plan, the Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan, and Newell Highway Upgrade.

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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, with essential services well represented. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 9.5%.

There are 2,155 residents in work, which is 5.6% above Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation lags significantly at 41.6%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is notably concentrated, with levels at 5.3 times the regional average.

Construction is under-represented, with only 3.5% of Walgett - Lightning Ridge's workforce compared to 9.7% in Rest of NSW. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. In the 12 months prior, labour force decreased by 4.1%, and employment declined by 5.9%, raising unemployment by 1.6 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.5%, labour force contracted by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. National unemployment is at 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Walgett - Lightning Ridge's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.2% over five years and 11.6% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The Walgett - Lightning Ridge SA2's median income among taxpayers was $41,131 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $49,311 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of NSW which were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $46,318 (median) and $55,529 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Walgett - Lightning Ridge all fall between the 3rd and 6th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the $400 - 799 bracket dominates with 28.2% of residents (1,635 people), contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. Lower income households are notably prevalent, with 40.9% earning below $800 weekly. While housing costs are modest with 89.9% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks 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

Walgett - Lightning Ridge's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 81.1% houses and 18.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro NSW had 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Walgett - Lightning Ridge was 46.0%, with mortgaged dwellings 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 figure was $179, similar to Non-Metro NSW's $180. Nationally, Walgett - Lightning Ridge's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $852 compared to the Australian 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 account for 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 constitute the remaining 41.0%, with lone person households at 37.3% and group households comprising 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's university qualification rate is 16.7%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 13.6%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 43.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.5%) and certificates (32.1%).

Educational participation is 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.

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 train and bus routes, totalling 28 individual routes. Collectively, these routes provide 263 weekly passenger trips.

The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 312 meters, indicating good transport accessibility. On average, there are 37 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop.

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. Common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, with approximately 46% coverage (~2,673 people), compared to 50.1% in Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.6%) and asthma (7.8%). 63.5% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.9% in Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 23.3% (1,349 people), compared to 20.2% in 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 low cultural diversity, with 71.3% citizens, 88.9% born in Australia, and 93.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 57.7%, compared to 67.2% regionally. Top ancestral groups were Australian (27.0%), English (23.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (20.7%).

Notably, Serbian (0.8%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.2%. Hungarian (0.4%) and Croatian (0.6%) also showed higher representation than regionally at 0.1% and 0.2% respectively.

Walgett - Lightning Ridge hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Walgett - Lightning Ridge has a median age of 44 years, which is similar to the Rest of NSW's median age of 43 and higher than the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Walgett - Lightning 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 proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 increased from 6.5% to 7.5%, while the proportion of those aged 55 to 64 decreased from 15.8% to 14.6%. By 2041, Walgett - Lightning Ridge's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 85 and over is projected to grow by 48%, reaching 143 from 96. This growth will be led by demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older accounting for all the anticipated population growth. Conversely, both the 75 to 84 age group and the 0 to 4 age group are expected to decrease in numbers.