Wentworth-Balranald Region
Statistical Area - sa2

Wentworth-Balranald Region has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Wentworth-Balranald Region's population is around 3,749 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 101 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,648 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,677 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 38 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Wentworth-Balranald Region's 2.8% growth since census positions it within 2.0 percentage points of the SA3 area (4.8%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 53.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, 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. Over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the area's population expected to contract by 462 persons by 2041. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 85 and over age group, projected to increase by 18 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Wentworth-Balranald Region, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Wentworth-Balranald Region has recorded approximately eight residential property approvals each year. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 43 approvals over the past five financial years from FY20 to FY25, with two approvals recorded so far in FY26. The region's population decline has not significantly impacted development activity, which has remained adequate relative to demand, maintaining a balanced housing market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average value of $626,000, slightly above the regional average, indicating a focus on quality developments.

$9.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, suggesting steady commercial investment activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Wentworth-Balranald Region records approximately 60% of building activity per person and ranks among the 38th percentile nationally, offering more limited buyer choices and supporting demand for existing properties. This lower activity reflects market maturity and potential development constraints. Recent building activity consists solely of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population-to-dwelling approval ratio is 471 people per dwelling, indicating a quiet, low-activity development environment. With population stability or decline expected, Wentworth-Balranald Region should experience reduced housing pressure, potentially presenting buying opportunities.

Wentworth-Balranald Region has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 42ndth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 71 projects potentially impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Koorakee Energy Park, Euston Critical Minerals Project, Nyah Netball Courts and Lighting project, and Robinvale Netball Courts Lighting Project, with key details listed below.

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

Employment conditions in Wentworth-Balranald Region demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Wentworth-Balranald Region has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 2.1% in June 2025, compared to the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.8%. As of June 2025, 2,281 residents were employed. Leading employment industries among residents comprised agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area has a particular specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 7.7 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance had limited presence with 8.6% employment compared to the regional average of 16.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 4.8%, and labour force increased by 4.6%, resulting in a decrease in unemployment by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, the Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1%, labour force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 showed NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, but lags behind the national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wentworth-Balranald Region's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.5% over five years and 10.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Wentworth-Balranald Region's income level is below national average according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Median income among taxpayers was $44,594 and average income stood at $52,458. This compares to Rest of NSW's median of $49,459 and average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Wentworth-Balranald Region would be approximately $49,321 (median) and $58,019 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 34th percentile, family income at 29th percentile, and personal income at 38th percentile in Wentworth-Balranald Region. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 32.4% of residents (1,214 people), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 29.9% in the same category. Housing costs are manageable with 91.7% retained, however disposable income is below average at the 38th percentile.

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

In Wentworth-Balranald Region, as per the latest Census evaluation, 93.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 6.3% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 92.7% houses and 7.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wentworth-Balranald Region stood at 48.5%, with mortgaged properties at 27.1% and rented dwellings at 24.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,179. The median weekly rent in the region was $200, matching Non-Metro NSW's figure. Nationally, Wentworth-Balranald Region's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,083 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national average of $375.

Wentworth-Balranald Region has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.8% of all households, including 28.0% couples with children, 32.9% couples without children, and 8.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.2%, with lone person households at 26.4% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Wentworth-Balranald Region faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate stands at 13.0%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 10.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.5%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (30.0%).

Educational participation is high, with 32.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.9% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education. A total of 8 schools operate within the Wentworth-Balranald Region, educating approximately 510 students. The educational mix comprises 6 primary schools and 2 K-12 schools.

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

The analysis found 143 active public transport stops in the Wentworth-Balranald Region. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 22 individual routes operating, providing a total of 235 weekly passenger trips.

The report rates transport accessibility as limited, with residents on average located 7687 meters from their nearest stop. Across all routes, service frequency averages 33 trips per day, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

Wentworth-Balranald Region's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

The Wentworth-Balranald Region's health indicators align closely with national averages. Common health conditions are present at standard levels across both younger and older age groups.

Private health insurance coverage is low, at approximately 46% of the total population (around 1,732 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the region are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.5 and 8.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 70.5% of residents report no medical ailments, higher than the Rest of NSW's figure of 65.8%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 21.9% (around 820 people), compared to the Rest of NSW's 22.9%. Notably, health outcomes among seniors in the region exceed average levels, outperforming even the general population in health metrics.

Wentworth-Balranald Region ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wentworth-Balranald Region had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 79.0% of its population being citizens, 89.4% born in Australia, and 89.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 57.8% of the region's population as of 2016. This figure is slightly higher than the 57.0% recorded across Rest of NSW during the same period.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Wentworth-Balranald Region were Australian (29.5%), English (29.3%), and Scottish (8.1%). However, there were notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Italian was overrepresented at 7.6% compared to the regional average of 4.6%, Australian Aboriginal was underrepresented at 4.2% compared to 5.9%, and Samoan was present but not significantly represented at 0.2%.

Wentworth-Balranald Region hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Wentworth-Balranald Region is 43, matching Rest of NSW's figure and exceeding Australia's average of 38. Among its age groups, those aged 55-64 (14.5%) are prominent, while those aged 15-24 (8.6%) are comparatively smaller than in Rest of NSW. Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 10.9% to 12.8%, and the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 12.3% to 13.5%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 group declined from 13.5% to 11.8%, and the 25 to 34 age group dropped from 12.8% to 11.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Wentworth-Balranald Region's age structure. Notably, the 85+ group is projected to grow by 16 people, reaching 102 from 87. The combined 65+ age groups will account for all population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 75 to 84 and 25 to 34 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.