Coonamble (NSW)

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Evaluating demographical adjustments from the ABS for the surrounding region, alongside address checks completed by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Coonamble has a calculated residency of approximately 2,767 as of May 2026. This indicates a rise of 101 people (3.8%) relative to the 2,666 people counted during the 2021 Census. This change is calculated from a local population of 2,763, which Districts computed using the ABS demographic data from June 2025 combined with residential address checks post-Census. Such a population count corresponds to a density of 1.8 persons per square kilometer, which represents a low-density environment with significant space per resident. The 3.8% rate of growth in the suburb of Coonamble since the 2021 census was higher than the gains of 1.3% in the SA3 area, as well as the broader SA4 region, making it a regional leader in population gains. The expansion of the local population was mostly fueled by natural change, which accounted for approximately 78.0% of the overall population growth in the recent past.

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The labor force in Coonamble is evenly distributed across blue and white-collar roles, with a strong presence of public and community service workers and an unemployment rate of 4.8%, based on compiled regional data. As of March 2026, there are 1,038 residents in employment, which is 0.7% higher than the 4.1% recorded across Regional NSW, while the labor force participation rate of 51.8% is much lower than the regional figure of 60.6%. Census figures indicate that a minor 6.1% of working locals did so from home, although this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

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According to the latest ATO postcode statistics for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Coonamble have a median income of $41,749 and an average income of $59,182. These figures are below the national average and compare to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current figures are estimated to be approximately $46,057 for the median and $65,290 for the average as of March 2026. Census records place personal, family, and household incomes in Coonamble in the 13th to 17th national percentiles. The most common income band is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, containing 28.6% of residents (791 people), matching the metro trend where fall into this bracket. Although living expenses are low, leaving residents with of their income, total disposable income is situated at the th percentile nationally.

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Residential property types in Coonamble at the time of the latest Census consisted of 92.4% houses and 7.6% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other options in Regional NSW. Home ownership rates in Coonamble matched the Regional NSW average of 39.5%, with 25.3% of homes being mortgaged and 35.2% rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $883 was much lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $190 was below the regional figure of $330. Nationally, mortgage costs in Coonamble are significantly below the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than the national median of $375.

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Families make up 63.8% of all households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 19.0%, couples without children at 23.4%, and single-parent households at 19.4%. The remaining 36.2% are non-family households, which are mostly single-person households at 32.3% and group households at 3.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, matching the average for Regional NSW.

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The local community experiences educational challenges, with university completion rates standing at 14.3%, which is much lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents a challenge but also an opportunity for targeted educational support. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 10.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Technical and trade qualifications are common, with 35.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 7.1% and certificates at 28.1%.

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There are 77 public transport stops in Coonamble, including train and bus services. These stops are served by 12 distinct routes, which provide 115 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transit is excellent, with residents living an average of 169 meters from their nearest stop. Most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars being the primary mode of transport at 92%, while 8% of commuters walk. Average vehicle ownership is 1.3 cars per home, which is lower than the regional average. A low 6.1% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

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Evaluation of mortality statistics and chronic illnesses by Districts highlights health issues in Coonamble, with various health problems affecting both younger and older residents, while the level of private health insurance is low at roughly 50% of the population (~1,393 people) compared to a national average of 55.7%.

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Coonamble shows below-average levels of multicultural diversity, with citizens making up 83.6% of the population, 95.8% born in Australia, and 96.9% speaking only English at home. The most common religious affiliation is Christianity, accounting for 75.8% of residents, compared to 55.9% in Regional NSW.

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The median age of 37 years in Coonamble is lower than the Regional NSW average of 43 and very close to the national average of 38 years. The local population features a large share of children aged 0 - 4 years (9.7%), while residents aged 65 - 74 years represent a smaller share (10.1%) than in Regional NSW. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 11.3% to 13.1% of the population, and the 0 to 4 age group has grown from 8.3% to 9.7%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age bracket declined from 13.0% to 11.2%, and the 45 to cohort fell from to . Looking forward to demographic models point to notable shifts in the local age profile. The + age cohort is expected to grow steadily, rising by people () from to . The combined cohorts aged + will make up of all population growth, showing the aging of the community. In contrast, the to and to age brackets are projected to contract.

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Coonamble currently has an estimated 268 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 161 children aged 0-2 and 107 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 21% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 19% by 2041 (to approximately 218 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 322. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 19.0 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.