Coonamble

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of Nov 2025, the estimated population of the suburb of Coonamble is around 2,760. This reflects an increase of 94 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,666. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,743 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS on Jun 2024 and an additional 1 validated new address since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1.8 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's growth rate of 3.5% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA3 area (2.6%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 78.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to projections, over this period, the suburb's population is expected to shrink by 336 persons by 2041. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 85 and over age group, which is projected to expand by 27 people.

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

Coonamble had 1 dwelling approval annually over the five-year period from 2016 to 2020, totalling 8 dwellings. This low development activity is typical of rural areas with modest housing needs and limited construction due to local demand and infrastructure capacity. The small number of approvals can significantly impact annual growth statistics.

Coonamble had less construction activity than the Rest of NSW during this period. Nationally, development levels were also higher. All recent developments in Coonamble consisted of detached dwellings, aligning with rural living preferences for space and privacy. As of 2021, there are an estimated 1376 people per dwelling approval in Coonamble.

With a stable or declining population expected, housing pressure should remain low, potentially presenting buying opportunities.

Coonamble has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

No changes have been identified by AreaSearch that could impact the area's performance. Key projects include Inland Rail from Narromine to Narrabri, Macquarie-Castlereagh Alluvium Water Resource Plan, Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan, and Newell Highway Upgrade.

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

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Employment drivers in Coonamble are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Coonamble has a mixed workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate is 6.2%, according to AreaSearch's compilation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, there are 1,040 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.6% higher than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Coonamble is lower at 47.3%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The main industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. Coonamble has a notably high specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 2.8 times the regional level.

Conversely, manufacturing shows lower representation at 0.9% compared to the regional average of 5.8%. The area appears to have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population figures. Over a 12-month period ending Sep-22, labour force decreased by 1.9%, while employment declined by 4.3%, leading to an unemployment rate increase of 2.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and an unemployment rise of 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coonamble's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized 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 Coonamble's median income among taxpayers is $41,749. The average income in the same period is $59,182. Nationally, incomes are higher on average. Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes as of September 2025 are approximately $47,014 (median) and $66,645 (average). Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Coonamble fall between the 13th and 17th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 28.6% of residents, similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% occupy this range. Housing costs are modest, with 90.2% of income retained. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 20th percentile nationally.

Coonamble is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Coonamble, as per the latest Census evaluation, 92.4% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 7.6% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coonamble stood at 39.5%, with mortgaged properties at 25.3% and rented ones at 35.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $883, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,000. The median weekly rent in Coonamble was $190, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $180. Nationally, Coonamble's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $883 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 63.8 percent of all households, including 19.0 percent couples with children, 23.4 percent couples without children, and 19.4 percent single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.2 percent, with lone person households at 32.3 percent and group households comprising 3.6 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 14.3%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 10.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 7.1% and certificates at 28.1%. Educational participation is high, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 13.3% in primary, 9.9% in secondary, and 3.0% in tertiary education.

Coonamble's three schools have a combined enrollment of 561 students, serving varied educational conditions (ICSEA: 802). The area has balanced education provision with two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs (20.3 places per 100 residents vs 15.9 regionally), indicating 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

Coonamble has 76 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 12 individual routes, collectively providing 115 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 169 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 16 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop.

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

Critical health challenges are evident across Coonamble.

A range of health conditions impact both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~1,390 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and arthritis, impacting 11.4 and 9.2% of residents respectively. 60.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 65.9% across Rest of NSW. As of 30 June 20XX, 19.2% of residents are aged 65 and over (529 people), which is lower than the 20.2% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Coonamble's cultural diversity was found to be below average. Its population comprised 83.6% citizens, with 95.8% born in Australia and 96.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practised by 75.8%, compared to 67.2% across the Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestral groups were Australian (32.2%), Australian Aboriginal (26.3%), which was significantly higher than the regional average of 18.4%, and English (22.7%). Notably, Lebanese ancestry was overrepresented in Coonamble at 0.1%, compared to the regional figure of 0.1%.

Coonamble's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Coonamble is 37 years, which is lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that 0-4 year-olds make up 9.0% of the population, while those aged 45-54 constitute 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of 15-24 year-olds has increased from 11.3% to 12.5%, while the percentage of 45-54 year-olds has decreased from 10.9% to 9.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate that the number of people aged 85 and above will increase by 20 individuals (a rise of 29%), going from 69 to 89. Notably, all population growth in Coonamble will be attributed to those aged 65 and over, reflecting an aging demographic trend. Conversely, the age groups of 45-54 and 75-84 are expected to experience population declines.