Broken Hill

Broken Hill has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Broken Hill's population is estimated at 17,678 as of February 2026. This reflects a decrease of 28 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,706. The current estimate is based on AreaSearch validation of new addresses and examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024. This results in a density ratio of 1.4 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Broken Hill has shown resilient growth patterns with a -0.6% compound annual growth rate. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb's population is projected to shrink by 4,174 persons. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, with the 85 and over age group expected to grow by 103 people.

The level of residential development activity in Broken Hill is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Broken Hill has experienced around 6 dwellings receiving development approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 33 homes. So far in FY-26, 5 approvals have been recorded. The area's population decline has resulted in adequate housing supply relative to demand, creating a well-balanced market with good buyer choice.

New dwellings are developed at an average value of $434,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This financial year has seen $24.7 million in commercial approvals registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Broken Hill shows approximately 75% of construction activity per person and ranks among the 8th percentile nationally for dwellings approved per capita, suggesting limited buyer choices and supporting demand for existing dwellings. This reflects market maturity and possible development constraints.

All new construction has been detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 2723 people in the area per dwelling approval indicates its quiet, low activity development environment. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Broken Hill may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Broken Hill has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

AreaSearch has identified eight projects that could impact the local area. These include Silver City Energy Storage Centre, Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment - MHIPU, ED Upgrade and Key Worker Accommodation, Broken Hill Community Health Centre, and Broken Hill Town Square Redevelopment. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.5%, Broken Hill has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Broken Hill has a balanced workforce with equal representation of white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well-represented, and the unemployment rate is 3.5% as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of December 2025, there are 7,356 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.4% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Broken Hill stands at 52.2%, significantly lower than Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census responses, only 5.2% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, mining, and retail trade. Mining is particularly notable with employment levels at 4.5 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 1.5% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. While there are local employment opportunities, many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population data. Between December 2024 and November 2025, labour force decreased by 5.0%, employment fell by 4.3%, causing unemployment to drop by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment contract by 1.2%, labour force fall by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. 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. Applying these projections to Broken Hill's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

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

Broken Hill's suburb income level is lower than average nationally, per latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY2023. The median income among taxpayers in Broken Hill is $52,239, with an average income of $62,857. This compares to Regional NSW's figures of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth since FY2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 are approximately $56,867 (median) and $68,426 (average). Census data shows Broken Hill's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 11th and 19th percentiles nationally. Income distribution in Broken Hill is predominantly in the $400 - $799 category, with 27.0% of locals (4,773 people). This contrasts with Regional NSW where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. Housing costs are modest, with 90.1% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 18th percentile nationally.

Broken Hill is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Broken Hill's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings. This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Broken Hill was 44.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.2% and rented ones at 24.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Broken Hill was $220, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Broken Hill's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Broken Hill features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 60.8% of all households, including 19.3% couples with children, 25.9% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 39.2%, with lone person households at 37.0% and group households making up 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Broken Hill faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 13.5%, 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 most common at 9.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 7.9% and certificates at 30.7%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Broken Hill has 111 active public transport stops, serving a mix of train and bus services. These are covered by 18 routes, offering 707 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 231 meters from the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential area, most commutes are outward-bound. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 93%, while 5% walk. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 5.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 101 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 6 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Health performance in Broken Hill is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Broken Hill faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across various health conditions, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low, at approximately 52% of the total population (around 9,158 people). The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 12.0% and 10.2% of residents respectively. Conversely, 56.7% of residents reported having no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age population health presents notable challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 24.1% of residents aged 65 and over (around 4,260 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The latest Census data sees Broken Hill placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Broken Hill, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity: 89.1% were Australian citizens, 94.4% born in Australia, and 96.3% spoke English only at home. Christianity dominated with 43.8%, while Judaism was underrepresented at 0%. Ancestry wise, Australians led at 34.2%, followed by English at 29.9% and Australian Aboriginal at 7.3%.

Notably, Maltese (1.2%) were overrepresented compared to regional NSW (0.4%), as were Germans (3.6% vs 3.1%) and Filipinos (1.1% vs 0.6%).

Broken Hill hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Broken Hill has a median age of 43, matching Regional NSW's figure and exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age distribution shows that those aged 25-34 make up 12.8% of the population, while the 45-54 age group constitutes 10.0%, which is smaller than the Regional NSW proportion. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 35-44 age group has increased from 10.7% to 12.1%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 14.6% to 12.8%, and the 45-54 age group has dropped from 11.5% to 10.0%. Looking forward to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Broken Hill's age structure. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 25%, reaching 662 people from the current 530. Notably, all population growth will be among those aged 65 and above, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Meanwhile, the 75-84 and 0-4 age groups are projected to experience population declines.