Chart Color Schemes
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 Coonabarabran is $340k. House values have moved 6.3% 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.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Coonabarabran has an estimated 3,479 residents. 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
According to ABS population releases for the wider region alongside recent address validations by AreaSearch, the suburb of Coonabarabran has an estimated residency of 3,479 as of May 2026. This indicates a minor addition of 2 people (0.1%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 3,477 residents. This updated figure of 3,479 is calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP release and 10 validated new addresses added after the Census. This population level yields a density of 3.6 persons per square kilometer, which ensures a spacious living environment.
The post-census growth rate of 0.1% in the suburb of Coonabarabran is 2.7 percentage points below the 2.8% recorded across the SA4 region, showing competitive expansion. Gains in population during this timeframe were almost entirely supported by overseas migration. Projections for individual SA2 zones are sourced from 2024 ABS and Geoscience Australia releases using a 2022 baseline, supplemented where necessary by 2022 NSW State Government SA2 projections with a 2021 baseline. Age-specific growth trajectories from these sources are applied to project demographics from 2032 to 2041. Based on these expected demographic shifts, the overall population is projected to drop by 316 persons by 2041. Even with this overall reduction, certain age segments are expected to grow, particularly residents aged 85 and over, who are projected to increase by 62 individuals. Refer to the age breakdown for additional data.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity remains very low in the suburb of Coonabarabran, averaging 2 dwelling approvals per year (with a total of 11 recorded over the last five years). These minimal figures reflect the regional character of the locality, where residential construction responds to specific local needs rather than broader market dynamics. Because the volume of approvals is so low, year-on-year variations and relative comparisons can fluctuate significantly due to individual building projects. The volume of building approvals in the suburb of Coonabarabran is far lower than the average across the Rest of NSW, and it sits well below national trends.
In terms of structure type, new construction consisted entirely of detached dwellings, preserving the spacious rural profile of the community. Given that demographic projections point to a stable or shrinking population, the suburb of Coonabarabran is likely to experience less pressure on housing demand, which should benefit prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Coonabarabran
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 60 current infrastructure and development projects close to Coonabarabran, worth an estimated $31 billion. 19 are already under construction and 24 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, residential development 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, planning choices, and major works are critical drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of no projects in the vicinity that are anticipated to influence the local area. Key regional developments include the Inland Rail - Narromine to Narrabri, the Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan, the Tallawang Solar Farm and Battery, and the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project, with the most relevant initiatives detailed in the list below.
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
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.
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.
648 Wandobah Road Residential Development
122.63 hectares of rural land, known as 'Derriwee', sold in September 2024 for development. Currently zoned RU4 and subdividable into 11 lots, earmarked for rezoning to R5 large lot residential under Gunnedah Shire planning strategy, potentially allowing subdivision into 82 lots. Located 7 km from Gunnedah CBD with views, flood-free, and existing improvements like silos and dams.
671 Wandobah Road Large Lot Residential Development
Large lot residential subdivision creating 36 additional rural residential holdings with minimum 9,000 square metre lots south of Gunnedah. Development required rezoning from primary production to R5 Large Lot Residential to meet strong demand for acreage-style housing in the Gunnedah Shire, where available large lot land was noted as almost exhausted following sustained demand over the preceding five years.
Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary
The Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary is a 50-acre conservation, wildlife hospital and eco-tourism destination on the Oxley Highway at Gunnedah. The $22.7 million facility includes a koala rehabilitation hospital with treatment suites and ICU rooms, gift shop, cafe, learning auditorium, koala and wildlife enclosures, walking trails, glamping tents, caravan and RV sites, volunteer accommodation, and a caretaker residence. Stages one and two are complete; stage three construction began June 2025 targeting December 2025 completion, with a public opening anticipated in March-April 2026.The project expects to draw 90,000 visitors annually and create local jobs. A park operator is yet to be confirmed.
Gunnedah Regional Saleyards Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the regional saleyards including new multi-administration and buyers facility, new pens, improvements to internal roads, lighting, and site infrastructure. The holding pens, central draft area, and scales are now roofed, enhancing safety and improving animal welfare. Upgrades also include a truck-wash facility, new perimeter fencing, solar power installation, a water capture and reuse system, and improved dust suppression measures.
Sawmill Business Centre Stage 2
Second stage development of the Sawmill Business Centre providing additional commercial and light industrial facilities. Project includes new warehouse spaces, office buildings, and improved infrastructure to support local business growth.
1,382 residents of Coonabarabran are employed, from a labour force of 1,438. Unemployment sits at 4.0%, with participation at 49.1%. 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 2,938, about 84% 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
Data aggregated by AreaSearch reveals that the suburb of Coonabarabran has a balanced workforce distributed between blue and white-collar occupations, with strong representation in essential services and an unemployment rate of 4.0%. Employment figures for March 2026 show 1,382 residents working, with an unemployment rate that is 0.1% lower than the 4.1% regional average for Regional NSW, though the participation rate of 49.1% is considerably lower than the 60.6% seen across Regional NSW. Census data indicates that 11.1% of workers commuted from home, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.
The major employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, education & training, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. The agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector is heavily represented here, employing residents at 2.2 times the regional average rate. Conversely, construction accounts for only 5.2% of employment, which is below the 9.7% average in Regional NSW. A comparison of the Census working population against resident workers suggests local job opportunities are relatively constrained. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics for the wider region shows that over the 12-month period, the local labor force contracted by 2.5% while employment dropped by 0.9%, leading to a 1.5 percentage point decrease in the unemployment rate. This contrasts with Regional NSW, where employment fell by 0.9%, the labor force declined by 0.4%, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.5 percentage points. Future workforce requirements in the suburb of Coonabarabran can be assessed using the May-25 national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia. These five and ten-year national trends have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by industry. Applying these industry growth rates to the local sector mix indicates that employment in the suburb of Coonabarabran could rise by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, representing a basic weighted projection that does not factor in local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Coonabarabran is $1,154 a week (about $60,000 a year), with median personal income at $594 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,176 a year against an average of $53,066. 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
Based on aggregated ATO postcode statistics from the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Coonabarabran recorded a median income of $43,176 and an average income of $53,066. These figures are below national benchmarks and compare to averages of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average) across Regional NSW. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year yields estimated values of approximately $47,632 for median earnings and $58,542 for average earnings as of March 2026. The 2021 Census places personal, family, and household incomes in the suburb of Coonabarabran at the 10th percentile nationally.
The data shows that 28.2% of the local population (981 individuals) earn between $800 and $1,499, differing from the regional pattern where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is largest at 29.9%. Local residents retain 90.3% of their income due to low housing expenses, yet overall disposable income ranks only in the 17th percentile across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Coonabarabran had 1,256 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 5% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $210 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,000 a month. Rent absorbs 18.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data shows that housing in the suburb of Coonabarabran consists of 94.4% separate houses and 5.6% alternative dwellings, such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or other structures, compared to Regional NSW where separate houses make up 82.6% and other dwellings comprise 17.4%. Home ownership is high at 49.4%, with mortgaged properties representing 25.6% and rented properties accounting for 25.0%. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,000 and the median weekly rent was $210, both significantly below the Regional NSW averages of $1,733 and $330. These housing costs are also much lower than the national averages of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for weekly rent.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Coonabarabran counted 1,256 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 88% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families comprise 65.7% of all households in the suburb of Coonabarabran, with couples without children making up 31.2%, couples with children at 19.5%, and single parents at 13.6%. Non-family households represent 34.3% of the total, consisting mostly of single-person households at 32.5% and group living situations at 2.0%. The average household size is 2.3 individuals, slightly below the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.3% of adults in Coonabarabran hold a university qualification, including 11.3% with a bachelor degree and 3.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 77% of areas nationally. A further 31.5% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 655 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 906 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 show some disparities, with the proportion of residents holding university degrees sitting at 16.3%, which is much lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This discrepancy highlights an area for targeted educational development. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are most common at 11.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and technical qualifications are widespread, with 41.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding credentials, including advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 31.5%. A high proportion of the community participates in education, with 32.6% of residents currently attending an educational institution.
This figure includes 11.8% of the population enrolled in primary school, 11.3% in secondary school, and 2.2% studying at a tertiary level.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Coonabarabran reaches 165 stops on 22 routes, timetabled for about 170 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.4 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
Local transit analysis shows a network of 165 active bus and train stops operating in the suburb of Coonabarabran. These facilities are served by 22 unique routes that provide a combined total of 169 passenger trips per week. Transit access is good, with residents living an average of 213 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is predominantly residential, and most workers commute out of the area, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 90%, followed by walking at 8%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles.
A low proportion of 11.1% of residents worked from home, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions. Transit service frequency averages 24 daily trips across all active routes, which translates to approximately 1 weekly trip per individual transit stop. The associated map displays the 100 nearest stops relative to the central coordinate.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
58.8% of residents in Coonabarabran report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 91% of areas nationally. 8.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.9 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 in the suburb of Coonabarabran highlight several areas of concern, based on AreaSearch assessments of local mortality rates and the prevalence of long-term health issues across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low, with only about 48% of residents (~1,669 people) covered, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent chronic health issues locally, affecting 13.3% and 8.4% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 58.8% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW.
Chronic illness rates are elevated among the working-age population. Furthermore, 32.0% of local residents are aged 65 and over (1,113 people), which exceeds the Regional NSW average of 23.4%. Health profiles for older residents show some difficulties, with national performance metrics generally mirroring those of the wider community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Coonabarabran is largely Australian-born, at 92.3% of residents, with 3.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.4%) and English (31.6%). 9.8% 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
Demographic records show lower levels of cultural diversity in the suburb of Coonabarabran, where 83.4% of the population are citizens, 92.3% were born within Australia, and 96.4% use only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 63.8% of the local population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. In terms of family heritage, the main ancestries reported in the suburb of Coonabarabran are Australian at 32.4%, English at 31.6%, and Australian Aboriginal at 9.8%, which is more than double the regional average of 4.6%. The representation of other ethnic backgrounds shows some specific distributions: Serbian ancestry is recorded at 0.2% (matching the 0.2% regional rate), Lebanese ancestry is at 0.2% (matching the 0.2% regional rate), and Irish ancestry accounts for 7.7% of residents (compared to 8.8% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Coonabarabran is 50, older than 91% of areas nationally. 18.1% 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 residents in the suburb of Coonabarabran is 50, which is higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and well above the national median of 38. The local population features a large proportion of residents aged 85 and over at 5.9%, contrasting with a smaller cohort aged 25 to 34 at 8.2%. Between Census periods, the 75 to 84 age bracket grew from 9.2% to 10.8% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 11.6% to 10.0%. Modeling indicates the age structure will shift considerably by 2041, with the group aged 85 and over projected to expand by 61 people (30%), growing from 205 to 267.
This aging trend is highlighted by the expectation that the combined cohorts aged 65 and over will represent 100% of net growth, while declines are forecast for residents aged 35 to 44 and 45 to 54.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Coonabarabran
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 — 10 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,477 at the 2021 Census → 3,479 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 (SAL11043). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.