Bourkelands

Population growth drivers in Bourkelands are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

The estimated population of the suburb of Bourkelands is around 3,083 as of May 2026. This figure reflects a decrease of 30 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,113. The current resident population estimate of 3,075 by AreaSearch, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and validation of additional new addresses since the Census date, indicates this decrease. This results in a density ratio of 1,468 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Bourkelands has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%, outpacing the SA3 area. Natural growth contributed approximately 57.99999999999999% 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. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 172 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of approximately 5.3% over the 16-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Bourkelands according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Bourkelands experienced limited development activity over the five-year period ending 2019, with an average of one approval per year resulting in seven dwellings. This reflects its rural nature where development is driven by local housing needs rather than broad market demand. The small number of approvals means individual projects can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics.

Bourkelands has much lower development activity compared to the Rest of NSW, with patterns well below national averages. New building activity shows 50% detached dwellings and 50% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This is a significant change from the current housing mix which is 94% houses. Bourkelands has around 1245 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Bourkelands is expected to grow by 164 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Looking ahead, Bourkelands is expected to grow by 164 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Bourkelands has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified two projects likely impacting the region: Rowan Village, Lake Albert Water Sports and Event Precinct, Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct, and Active Travel Plan - Plumpton Road Section. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Bourkelands performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Bourkelands has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well-represented. As of December 2025, its unemployment rate is 1.7%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. This rate is 2.2% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

The workforce participation rate in Bourkelands is 69.9%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. Census responses show that 9.8% of residents work from home, with Covid-19 lockdown impacts considered. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Bourkelands has a particular specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing, however, has limited presence at 1.7%, compared to Regional NSW's 5.3%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. In the 12-month period ending in May-25, labour force decreased by 3.5% and employment declined by 3.6%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. This contrasts with Regional NSW, where employment fell by 1.2%, labour force contracted by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Bourkelands' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2023 shows median income in Bourkelands suburb was $67,728 and average income was $82,615. This contrasts with Regional NSW figures of median income at $52,390 and average income at $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates for Bourkelands are approximately $74,718 (median) and $91,141 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data ranks Bourkelands household, family, and personal incomes highly nationally, between the 78th and 78th percentiles. Income brackets indicate 37.7% of locals (1,162 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to the regional figure of 29.9%. After housing costs, residents retain 87.9% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Bourkelands is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Bourkelands' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 94.3% houses and 5.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bourkelands stood at 30.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.1% and rented ones at 25.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Regional NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $360, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Bourkelands' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Bourkelands features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 79.5% of all households, including 39.7% couples with children, 28.6% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 20.5%, with lone person households at 18.8% and group households comprising 1.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Bourkelands demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 26.8% for residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA4 region average of 18.7% and the SA3 area rate of 20.4%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 18.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are held by 37.4% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 25.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.2% in primary, 9.4% in secondary, and 4.6% in tertiary education.

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

Bourkelands has 16 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 17 different routes that combined offer 294 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically living 274 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commuting is outward-bound, with cars being the dominant mode of transport at 98%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 9.8% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, there are an average of 42 trips per day, resulting in approximately 18 weekly trips per stop.

Bourkelands's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Bourkelands's health metrics are close to national benchmarks, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical but higher than the nation's average among older cohorts.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (1,835 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The most common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 9.4 and 7.6% of residents respectively, while 70.3% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 13.6% of residents aged 65 and over (419 people), which is lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Bourkelands was found to have a lower than average cultural diversity, with 84.6% of its population born in Australia, 90.7% being citizens, and 86.6% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Bourkelands is Christianity, which accounts for 68.3% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestry groups in Bourkelands are English (29.2%), Australian (28.7%), and Irish (9.1%).

Notably, certain ethnic groups have different representations: Indian is overrepresented at 4.0% (compared to 0.6% regionally), South Australian at 0.6% (vs 0.2%), and Russian at 0.3% (vs 0.2%).

Bourkelands's population is younger than the national pattern

Bourkelands's median age is 35 years, which is significantly below the Regional NSW average of 43 years and somewhat younger than the Australian median of 38 years. The 5-14 cohort is notably over-represented at 15.3% locally compared to the Regional NSW average, while the 75-84 year-olds are under-represented at 3.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 13.5% to 14.5% of Bourkelands's population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.4% to 12.1%. Demographic modeling suggests that Bourkelands's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 19%, adding 82 residents to reach 530. Meanwhile, both the 55 to 64 and 65 to 74 age groups are projected to have reduced numbers.