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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Bourke is $245k. House values have moved 4.1% 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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Sales Detail
Bourke has an estimated 1,666 residents, down from 1,699 at the 2021 Census — a change of 33 people, or 1.9%. The population has thinned by an average 1.7% a year over five years, slower than 97% of areas nationally. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the region and new address verifications by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Bourke is home to approximately 1,666 people as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 33 individuals (1.9%) from the 1,699 residents documented during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated from an estimated local population of 1,665, which AreaSearch determined using the ABS June 2025 ERP data and 11 new validated addresses recorded after the Census. The resulting population density is 0.40 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment.
The main factor behind population gains in recent times was natural increase, which accounted for roughly 68.0% of the overall growth. AreaSearch utilizes the 2024 regional projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, using 2022 as the starting point. In instances where these are unavailable, projections released by the NSW State Government in 2022 using a 2021 base are applied. The age-specific growth rates from these sources are projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking at these long-term demographic patterns, the suburb of Bourke is projected to experience a net population loss of 462 residents by 2041. Conversely, some age groups are expected to expand, particularly individuals aged 85 and over, which is projected to grow by 38 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Building activity for residential properties in the area is minimal, averaging fewer than one home approval each year, with a total of 4 approvals recorded over a five-year period. This limited construction pace is typical of rural locations where new builds are generally prompted by specific local requirements rather than broad market dynamics. Due to the very small number of approvals, single projects can cause significant shifts in annual percentages and comparative metrics. Development volume in the area is substantially below the average for the Rest of NSW, as well as falling short of national benchmarks.
All recent residential approvals have been for detached houses, highlighting a market geared towards family residences designed for rural living and space. The ratio of 3,371 local residents for each dwelling approval underscores the exceptionally quiet building market. Given that demographic projections indicate either stability or a downward trend, housing demand pressures are likely to ease, which should create favorable conditions for prospective property buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Bourke
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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 43 current infrastructure and development projects close to Bourke, worth an estimated $28.8 billion. 14 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy 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
Local infrastructure projects and planning decisions are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified no projects likely to influence this locality. Relevant regional initiatives include the NSW Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) Program, the Newell Highway Upgrade, the NSW Heavy Vehicle Rest Stops Program managed by TfNSW, and the NSW Inland Rail Interface Improvements.
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
Cobar Wind Farm
Proposed wind farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) featuring up to 30 turbines (up to 280m in height) with a 216 MW installed capacity and a 50MW/100MWh BESS across approximately 7,800 hectares of agricultural grazing land. The project aims to power approximately 130,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 498,000 tonnes per year, producing around 756 GWh annually. Currently in the Prepare EIS stage under State Significant Development assessment (SSD-68084467). A key challenge is insufficient existing transmission capacity to support a grid connection without significant upgrades, which WestWind Energy is actively working to resolve.
Grand Central Precinct Planning and Design Project
Cobar Shire Council is undertaking the Grand Central Precinct Planning and Design Project to drive economic and social revitalisation in the Cobar town centre. The project delivers detailed planning and design works across five key sites, bringing each to construction and tender-ready status: the Grand Hotel Redevelopment (transforming the heritage building into a cultural-commercial hub with retail, hospitality, co-working and accommodation); Library Upgrade (enhancing youth, technology and community spaces); Town Hall Restoration (multi-purpose community, arts and events use); Brennan Centre Expansion (six new senior housing units and a community room); and streetscape enhancements.No construction works are included in this phase. Tenders for the Brennan Centre Seniors Living Upgrade and CBD Upgrade projects closed in late 2025, with a scoping study for the Grand Hotel underway and an RFQ for the Library Feasibility Study released.
Old Hospital Site Residential Estate
Proposed residential subdivision on the former hospital site on Lerida Road, purchased by Cobar Shire Council in July 2022 to provide new housing options. The development is intended to attract families, professionals, and medical staff to Cobar and complement the adjacent health precinct. The project is currently in the planning phase, aligning with the development of the Cobar Local Housing Strategy.
Great Cobar Museum Coach House and Underground Mine Experience
Construction of a new Coach House building to replace the existing one for the safe storage and display of large historical exhibits, and the creation of a new interactive underground mining experience to enhance the visitor experience and showcase Cobar's mining heritage. This is Phase 2 of the Great Cobar Museum upgrades.
Federation Mine
High-grade polymetallic underground mine in the Cobar Basin producing zinc, lead, gold, copper, and silver. The project officially transitioned to commercial production on 1 July 2025 and is operating ahead of plan. Ore haulage is directed to the Peak processing plant.
Aero Park Residential Estate
Aero Park Residential Estate is a council-led house and land subdivision on the north western fringe of Gilgandra. The approved estate comprises 57 residential lots, with stage 1 delivering 34 fully serviced lots and 5 earlier lots already developed along Farrar Street. Lots are generally between about 1,242 m2 and 1,897 m2, with services including water, sewer, NBN and underground power, new roads, footpaths and solar street lighting. Council has completed the stage 1 civil works and is now selling lots through local agents to increase housing supply and support growth linked to Inland Rail and regional renewable energy projects.
Gilgandra Solar Farm
Gilgandra Solar Farm is a 5 MW ground mounted solar farm with approximately 12,000 photovoltaic panels, associated inverter stations and a battery energy storage system on an approximately 11.3 hectare project area west of Gilgandra. The development was approved in 2022 and remains in construction, with a 2024 modification approved to refine the site layout and construction noise mitigation measures.
Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan
A community-led plan for the Castlereagh Country region (including Gilgandra and Warrumbungle Shires) to build resilience against drought and increased climate variability. It identifies actions to prepare for reduced growing season rainfall and increased frequency of drought events, informing future investments and securing funding for communities, agriculture, and businesses.
739 residents of Bourke are employed, from a labour force of 792. Unemployment sits at 6.6%, with participation at 60.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,322, about 79% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce is characterized by solid representation in essential service sectors, an unemployment rate of 6.6%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.4% over the preceding year, according to statistical data compiled by AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 739 employed residents, with the jobless rate tracking 2.5% higher than the Regional NSW rate of 4.1%, while workforce participation matched the regional benchmark of 60.6%. Census figures indicate that a minor share of 5.6% of the workforce worked from home, though this data may reflect temporary pandemic restrictions.
Local employment is heavily concentrated in the sectors of public administration & safety, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Public administration & safety is highly specialized here, representing a share 2.6 times higher than the regional average. In contrast, construction jobs are underrepresented, accounting for 5.1% of local employment compared to 9.7% across the region. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local employment options within the area are limited. According to AreaSearch evaluations of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from the region, the year ending March 2026 saw local employment rise by 1.4% while the labor force contracted by 2.1%, which reduced the unemployment rate by 3.3 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% decrease in employment, a 0.4% reduction in the labor force, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional context on future labor demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate employment trends. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry mix yields an estimated employment increase of 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Bourke is $1,560 a week (about $81,000 a year), with median personal income at $860 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $57,631 a year against an average of $67,541. 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
Taxpayer income in the area aligns closely with national benchmarks, based on 2023 financial year ATO statistics aggregated by AreaSearch. The median taxpayer income is $57,631 and the average income is $67,541, compared to regional benchmarks of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Adjusting these figures for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year suggests current estimates of approximately $63,579 for median income and $74,511 for average income as of March 2026. 2021 Census statistics place personal income at the 60th percentile ($860 weekly) and household income at the 38th percentile.
Approximately 32.6% of residents (543 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which is similar to the regional average of 29.9% in this bracket. Housing costs are generally manageable, with residents keeping 91.5% of their earnings, although disposable income ranks below average at the 47th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Bourke had 554 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 3% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 44% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $180 a week and the median mortgage repayment $947 a month. Rent absorbs 11.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 14.0%. 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, the housing stock consisted of 95.1% detached houses and 4.9% other types of dwellings, such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or alternative structures, compared to regional figures of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership was 31.4%, which is lower than the Regional NSW average, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (25.1%) or rented (43.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $947 was significantly below the Regional NSW average, while the median weekly rent was $180, compared to regional averages of $1,733 and $330 respectively.
On a national scale, mortgage payments are notably lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices sit well below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Bourke counted 554 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 27% are couples with children, against 21% couples without children. 31% 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
Families make up the majority of households at 66.1%, which is composed of couples with children at 27.3%, couples without children at 20.5%, and single parent households at 16.2%. The remaining 33.9% consists of non-family households, where single-person households account for 31.2% and group houses represent 2.1%. The median household size is 2.5 residents, which is slightly above the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
22.2% of adults in Bourke hold a university qualification, including 16.1% with a bachelor degree and 4.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 23.6% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 417 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 823 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 outcomes present some difficulties, as the portion of residents with a university qualification is 22.2%, which is lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This gap highlights a clear opportunity for targeted education programs. Among tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.1% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational education is highly prevalent, with 35.8% of residents aged 15+ holding trade or technical credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 23.6%. Participation in study is high, with 36.6% of the population enrolled in an educational institution.
This group comprises 16.2% in primary schools, 7.9% in high schools, and 3.2% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Bourke reaches 71 stops on 10 routes, timetabled for about 130 services a week. The typical home sits about 140 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.2 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
The public transport network features 71 active stops in the area, offering a combination of train and bus services. These stops support 10 different routes that provide 125 passenger trips weekly. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 139 meters from their closest stop. As the area is mostly residential, many workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 79% of commuters, and 17% walking. Car ownership averages 1.2 vehicles per household, which is below the regional average. A small proportion of 5.6% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.
Bus and train services average 17 trips daily across all routes, which translates to approximately 1 weekly trip per transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.6% of residents in Bourke report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 90% of areas nationally. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 9.0 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 point to notable difficulties in the area, based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality and chronic illness rates across younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is slightly ahead of the typical SA2 average, at approximately 54% of the population, representing about 893 residents. Asthma and arthritis are the most frequently reported medical conditions, affecting 9.3% and 6.6% of residents respectively. Conversely, 68.6% of the population reported no chronic health conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic conditions among working-age individuals are higher than average.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 16.6% of the local population (276 people), which is lower than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%. Senior citizens face more pronounced health challenges, ranking higher nationally than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Bourke is largely Australian-born, at 93.6% of residents, with 6.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.1%) and English (25.7%). 25.6% 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
Cultural diversity measures are below regional averages, with citizens making up 80.0% of the population, 93.6% of residents born in Australia, and 94.0% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 72.8% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three largest groups are Australian at 27.1%, English at 25.7%, and Australian Aboriginal at 25.6%, which is much higher than the regional average of 4.6%. Some minor ethnic groups show distinct proportions: French heritage is recorded at 0.4% (matching the regional 0.4%), Lebanese at 0.1% (compared to 0.2% regionally), and Welsh at 0.4% (compared to 0.5% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Bourke is 34, younger than 76% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 27.6% 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 median age of 34 is lower than the Regional NSW benchmark of 43 and the national average of 38 years. Infants and young children aged 0 - 4 are highly represented at 9.3% of the local population, while residents aged 65 - 74 are underrepresented at 8.8%. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 11.5% to 13.5%, and the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 3.7% to 5.6%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.3% to 8.2%, and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 14.4% to 13.0%.
Long-term projections indicate significant changes by 2041, with the group aged 85+ expected to grow by 38 people (105%), rising from 36 to 75. The combined cohorts aged 65+ are projected to account for 100% of net growth, reflecting a clear aging trend, while population declines are expected among the 45 to 54 and 0 to 4 age groups.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Bourke
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month 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 — 11 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,699 at the 2021 Census → 1,666 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 May 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 (SAL10520). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.