Broken Hill

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Broken Hill is around 17,672, a decrease of 34 people (0.2%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 17,706. This estimation is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, indicating a resident population of 17,642. Over the past decade, Broken Hill has shown resilient growth patterns with a -0.6% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during this period. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. According to these projections, the suburb's population is expected to shrink by 4,174 persons by 2041, while the 85 and over age group is projected to grow by 108 people.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, Over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the area's population expected to shrink by 4,174 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 85 and over age group, which is projected to grow by 108 people. <i>See the age section for more details.</i>

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

Broken Hill has received approximately 6 dwelling approvals per year over the past 5 financial years ending June 2021. This totals an estimated 33 homes. As of June 2026, 2 approvals have been recorded. The average expected construction cost value for new dwellings in Broken Hill is $434,000, aligning with regional trends.

In the financial year ending June 2026, $316,000 in commercial approvals were registered. Compared to Rest of NSW, Broken Hill shows around 75% of construction activity per person. Nationally, it ranks at the 8th percentile for areas assessed, indicating limited buyer choices and supporting demand for existing dwellings. New construction has been exclusively detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes.

The estimated population-to-dwelling-approval ratio is 2723 people per approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Broken Hill may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Broken Hill has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified eight projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Silver City Energy Storage Centre (Hydrostor A-CAES), Broken Hill Health Service Redevelopment - MHIPU, ED Upgrade and Key Worker Accommodation, Broken Hill Community Health Centre, and Broken Hill Town Square Redevelopment.

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

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Employment performance in Broken Hill has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Broken Hill has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented in the area.

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data, the unemployment rate is 4.4%. As of June 2025, there are 7,384 residents employed while the unemployment rate stands at 0.7% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Broken Hill is somewhat lower at 52.1%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, mining, and retail trade.

Mining shows a particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 4.5 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 1.5% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Many residents appear to commute elsewhere for work based on Census data comparing working population to local population. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, labour force in Broken Hill decreased by 1.8% and employment decreased by 3.2%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.1%, labour force grew by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project a growth rate of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years for national employment. 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, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and not accounting for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Broken Hill's median income among taxpayers was $52,239 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $62,856 during the same period. These figures compare to Rest of NSW's median and average incomes of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Broken Hill would be approximately $58,826 (median) and $70,782 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Broken Hill fall between the 11th and 19th percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals that 27.0% of locals (4,771 people) earn within the $400 - $799 category. This contrasts with the region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. Housing costs in Broken Hill are modest, with 90.1% of income retained after housing expenses. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 18th percentile nationally.

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

Broken Hill's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is similar to Non-Metro NSW's structure of 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Broken Hill was at 44.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.2% and rented ones at 24.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. The median weekly rent figure was $220, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $205. 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 fairly typical median household size

Family households comprise 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 account for the remaining 39.2%, with lone person households at 37.0% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which matches the average for the Rest of NSW.

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

Broken Hill has lower university qualification rates at 13.5%, compared to NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 38.6% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 7.9% and certificates at 30.7%. Current educational participation is high at 28.0%, including 10.6% in primary, 7.6% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.

Broken Hill operates a network of 10 schools educating approximately 2,551 students, with varied conditions (ICSEA: 908). Education provision is balanced with 8 primary and 2 secondary schools serving distinct age groups.

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

Broken Hill has 92 active public transport stops, consisting of a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 18 individual routes, offering a total of 1,046 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 226 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 149 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 11 weekly trips per stop.

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 issues, affecting both younger and older age groups.

Its private health insurance coverage rate is approximately 52%, slightly lower than the average SA2 area (~9,155 people). The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.0% of residents) and asthma (10.2%). However, 56.7% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 57.9% in the rest of NSW. Broken Hill has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 23.8% (4,205 people). The health outcomes among seniors largely align with the general population's profile.

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, as per a report on 27th June 2016, showed cultural diversity levels below average. Its population composition was 89.1% citizens, with 94.4% born in Australia and 96.3% speaking English at home. Christianity dominated religious beliefs, with 43.8%.

Judaism's representation stood at 0.0%, matching the Rest of NSW figure. Ancestry-wise, Australian (34.2%), English (29.9%), and Australian Aboriginal (7.3%) were the top groups. Notably, Maltese were overrepresented at 1.2% compared to 1.1% regionally, Germans at 3.6% matching regional figures, and Filipinos at 1.1% versus 1.0%.

Broken Hill hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Broken Hill's median age is 44 years, similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Broken Hill has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (12.8%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (10.2%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the 35-44 age group has increased from 10.7% to 11.8%, while the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 14.6% to 13.1% and the 45-54 group has dropped from 11.5% to 10.2%. By 2041, Broken Hill's age composition is expected to change significantly. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 21%, reaching 665 people from 547. This growth will be entirely due to demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older representing all of the anticipated population increase. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 45-54 age groups are expected to decrease in number.