Coonabarabran

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

The estimated population of Coonabarabran as of November 2025 is around 3,202 people, a decrease of 275 individuals from the 2021 Census figure of 3,477. This decline is inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the latest Estimated Residential Population (ERP) data release by the ABS in June 2024. The population density stands at approximately 3.4 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods. For future projections, AreaSearch is utilizing ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group will be applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb's population is projected to decrease by 314 persons overall, while the 85 and over age group is expected to grow by 50 individuals.

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

Coonabarabran had 2 new dwellings approved annually between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2020, totaling 13 over the five-year period. This low development activity reflects its rural nature, where housing needs drive development rather than market demand. Yearly growth figures can vary due to low approval numbers.

Coonabarabran's development levels are substantially lower than Rest of NSW and national averages. Recent development comprised entirely detached houses, aligning with rural living preferences for space and privacy. As of the end of this period, there were an estimated 3483 people per dwelling approval in the area. Population projections indicate stability or decline, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures and benefiting potential buyers.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Coonabarabran should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Coonabarabran has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly impact an area's performance like modifications to local infrastructure, major projects, or planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects expected to influence this region. Key projects include Inland Rail - Narromine to Narrabri (scheduled for completion in 2025), Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan (commenced in 2021), Tallawang Solar Farm and Battery (expected start date of 2023), and Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Transmission Project (projected completion in 2027). Below is a list detailing those likely to be most relevant.

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

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The labour market performance in Coonabarabran lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Coonabarabran has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate as of June 2025 is 5.2%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

In June 2025, 1,367 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.5% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Coonabarabran lags at 45.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries of employment among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly prominent, with an employment share 2.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction is under-represented at 5.2% compared to Rest of NSW's 9.7%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities, as suggested by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.2%, employment declined by 4.4%, leading to a 2.1 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.1%, labour force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offer insights into potential future demand within Coonabarabran. These projections suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Coonabarabran's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Coonabarabran is $43,176 and average income is $53,066. This is below the national average. Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated current median income in Coonabarabran is approximately $48,620 and average income is $59,758 as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Coonabarabran fall between the 10th and 10th percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. The earnings profile shows that 28.2% of locals (902 people) earn between $800 - 1,499 annually, unlike regional trends where 29.9% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing costs are modest with 90.3% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 17th percentile nationally.

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

In Coonabarabran, as per the latest Census, 94.4% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 5.6% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 88.0% houses and 12.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coonabarabran stood at 49.4%, with mortgaged properties at 25.6% and rented ones at 25.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,000, lower than Non-Metro NSW's averages of $1,450 for rent and $1,863 nationally for mortgage repayments. Coonabarabran's median weekly rent figure was recorded at $210, significantly below the national average of $375.

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

Family households constitute 65.7% of all households, including 19.5% that are couples with children, 31.2% that are couples without children, and 13.6% that are single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.3%, with lone person households at 32.5% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.3%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 11.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (31.5%). Educational participation is high at 32.6%, comprising primary education (11.8%), secondary education (11.3%), and tertiary education (2.2%).

Coonabarabran's three schools have a combined enrollment of 655 students, with varied educational conditions indicated by an ICSEA score of 906. Education provision is balanced with two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, at 20.5 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.1, suggesting the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Coonabarabran has 153 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 21 individual routes that collectively provide 133 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 213 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 19 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 0 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Coonabarabran faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 48% (~1,536 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 13.3% of residents) and asthma (8.4%). Conversely, 58.8% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in Rest of NSW. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 30.5% (976 people), higher than the 19.5% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging but generally better than those of the general population.

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

Coonabarabran, surveyed in June 2016, had a culturally diverse population of which 83.4% were Australian citizens, 92.3% were born in Australia, and 96.4% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 63.8% of Coonabarabran's population, compared to 65.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.4%), English (31.6%), and Australian Aboriginal (9.8%).

Notably, Serbian ancestry was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0.0% regionally, as were Lebanese at 0.2% (vs 0.1%) and Irish at 7.7% (vs 8.2%).

Coonabarabran ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Coonabarabran has a median age of 50, which is higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and also above the national average of 38 years. The age group of 65-74 shows strong representation at 15.1% compared to Rest of NSW's figure, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 8.6%. This concentration in the 65-74 age group is higher than the national average of 9.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 9.0% to 9.8% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 11.6% to 10.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Coonabarabran's age profile. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 74 people (43%), from 172 to 247. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 80% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25-34 and 5-14 age cohorts.