Bargo
At 89.2% separate houses and a $1,000,000 median, Bargo sits firmly in the mortgage-belt category, yet its household income sits in only the 60.9th percentile nationally, which means buyers are stretching further than average to get in. The suburb spans 49 square kilometres with a population of 4,516 and a density of 92 residents per km2, far below Sydney urban norms. The IRSD and IRSAD scores each land at decile 5, directly at the national midpoint, while the IEO of decile 2 signals a workforce that skews trades and manual occupations rather than professional roles. The aging trajectory is notable, with the senior share rising 5.9 points over the decade.
Population
4,516
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,736/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
58
Median House
$1.0M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price sits at $1,000,000, unchanged across the 2024 to 2025 data window. At that price level, monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, representing 28.8% of median household income, just inside the standard stress threshold. The stock is heavily detached: 89.2% separate houses against a national norm that includes far more apartments. Large homes dominate, with 53.1% having four or more bedrooms and 33.0% having three bedrooms, making Bargo suited to family buyers rather than downsizers. Just 1.5% of dwellings are apartments, so buyers seeking a unit have almost no local choice compared to most NSW suburbs. Outright ownership at 36.2% slightly undercuts mortgage-holders at 45.8%, a profile that reflects an established but still-active buyer market.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at $1,000,000, unchanged across the 2024 to 2025 data window. At that price level, monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, representing 28.8% of median household income, just inside the standard stress threshold. The stock is heavily detached: 89.2% separate houses against a national norm that includes far more apartments. Large homes dominate, with 53.1% having four or more bedrooms and 33.0% having three bedrooms, making Bargo suited to family buyers rather than downsizers. Just 1.5% of dwellings are apartments, so buyers seeking a unit have almost no local choice compared to most NSW suburbs. Outright ownership at 36.2% slightly undercuts mortgage-holders at 45.8%, a profile that reflects an established but still-active buyer market.
For Investors
The rental yield case for Bargo is constrained by a thin renter base: only 18.1% of households rent, well below the NSW average, and the weekly rent of $410 against a $1,000,000 median implies a gross yield around 2.1%. The vacancy rate is 4.4%, above the 3% equilibrium level, signalling modest oversupply in the available rental pool. On the demand side, net internal migration averages 28 arrivals and overseas migration 14 per year, a balanced but moderate inflow. Development activity produced 57 applications in the past 12 months, including school and garage projects, pointing to suburban consolidation rather than major new supply. Population is forecast to grow from 6,278 in 2025 to 6,528 by 2031, adding a steady but not rapid pool of potential tenants.
Development Activity
Total DAs
334
Last 12 Months
58
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+5.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Bargo iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Bargo Public School
K-6 · 268 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 sits 1.0 year above the national figure, and the trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 5.9 points and the working-age share down 2.5 points over the decade. University qualifications at 16.3% run 13.8 points below the national average, consistent with the IEO decile 2 score, while overseas-born residents at 12.1% are 9.5 points below the national figure. The ancestry profile is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,831 residents), Irish (447) and Scottish (392). Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above the national figure, reflecting the high share of families with children: couples with children account for 1,566 households against 1,015 couples without children. Christianity is by far the dominant religion at 2,663 residents.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.2%
Houses
6.3%
Townhouse
1.5%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure structure gives Bargo a mortgage-belt signature: 45.8% hold mortgages, 36.2% own outright, and only 18.1% rent, a renter share that is lower than most NSW suburbs. The dwelling mix is almost entirely detached houses at 89.2%, with semi-detached properties at 6.3% and apartments at just 1.5%. Large dwellings dominate: 53.1% have four or more bedrooms, compared to the national median stock where three-bedroom homes typically lead. The median house price held at $1,000,000 across both available quarters (2024 and 2025), showing no recorded price movement, though this may reflect limited transaction volume. Rent-to-income at 23.6% stays comfortably below the 30% stress benchmark, and mortgage-to-income at 28.8% is also within normal range despite the seven-figure price tag.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$410
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$742
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.4%
Unoccupied
71
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.4%
Couples, no children
3,841
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction is the top industry at 16.8% of employed residents (213 workers), followed closely by Healthcare at 15.8% (201) and Education at 11.3% (143). Manufacturing and Public Administration add 9.1% and 8.5% respectively, giving the workforce a blend of trades and public-sector roles. By occupation, the five groups are closely bunched: Clerical/Admin (267), Managers (259), Professionals (256), Labourers (243) and Machinery/Drivers (234), which is an unusually flat occupational distribution compared to suburbs with a clear professional or trades majority. The unemployment rate is 4.1% and the full-time employment rate is 63.8%, while 1,293 residents are not in the labour force, partly explained by the high share of older residents. Real incomes grew 11.0% over the decade, below many NSW comparators.
Unemployment
2.5%
Labour Force
3,687
Unemployed
91
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.8%
Part-time
32.1%
Participation
53.2%
Employed
1,836
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.3%
Postgraduate
3.4%
Born Overseas
12.1%
Dwellings
1,554
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 88.9% of commuters driving, while public transport usage sits at just 1.2%, well below state averages for NSW. This reflects Bargo's 49 square kilometre spread and distance from major rail corridors. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on facilities in neighbouring areas. The IRSAD decile 5 places Bargo at the national midpoint for combined advantage and disadvantage, meaning it is neither a disadvantaged area nor a high-advantage one. The IRSD score also sits at decile 5, while the IER (economic resources) reaches decile 8, indicating that although educational and occupational status is lower, household assets and financial resources are relatively solid. Volunteering runs at 11.9%, and 6.3% of residents (273 people) need daily assistance, which is a moderate figure consistent with the aging population profile.
Drive
88.9%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
2.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.78%/yr
(+49 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 9.8% over the decade to reach 6,278 in 2025, and the medium forecast puts residents at 6,528 by 2031, equivalent to annual growth of 0.78% or roughly 49 extra persons per year. Migration is balanced: 28 net internal arrivals and 14 overseas per year are the primary drivers, with no single source dominating. The gentrification score registers just 4 out of 100, firmly in the not gentrifying stage, meaning income and education profiles have not shifted toward higher-end demographics. One long-run affordability signal stands out: the proportion of income required for housing rose from 51.0% in 2011 to 54.4% in 2021, a worsening trend even as real incomes rose 11.0%. Rent grew 45.6% over the same period, significantly outpacing income growth, which tightens the cost-of-living picture for renters in particular.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+14
Net Internal / yr
+28
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +13% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bargo compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bargo a good suburb to live in?
Bargo scores decile 5 on both IRSD and IRSAD, sitting at the national midpoint for advantage and disadvantage. It offers large detached houses with 89.2% of dwellings being separate houses, and mortgage stress at 28.8% of income stays within normal bounds. The main practical limitation is car dependency: 88.9% of residents drive to work, and public transport use is only 1.2%, so access to a vehicle is essential.
What is the median house price in Bargo?
The median house price is $1,000,000 as of the 2024 to 2025 data period. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, representing 28.8% of median household income. Weekly rent averages $410 for those in the rental market, which makes up 18.1% of households.
What schools are in Bargo?
No schools are recorded inside the Bargo suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access education in neighbouring towns. The suburb does have active development applications including one for an educational establishment lodged in May 2026, which suggests ongoing investment in local schooling infrastructure.
Is Bargo safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Bargo in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb sits at IRSD decile 5, the national midpoint for relative disadvantage, and the IER score reaches decile 8 for economic resources, suggesting a stable and reasonably resourced community. About 6.3% of residents (273 people) need daily assistance, consistent with an established suburban area.
Is Bargo good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Weekly rent of $410 against a $1,000,000 median implies a gross yield around 2.1%, which is low. The vacancy rate is 4.4%, above the 3% equilibrium. Only 18.1% of households rent, limiting the tenant pool. On the positive side, population is forecast to grow from 6,278 to 6,528 by 2031, and rent grew 45.6% over the past decade, well above income growth of 11.0%.
How is Bargo's population changing?
Population grew 9.8% over the decade and reached 6,278 in 2025. The medium forecast projects 6,528 residents by 2031, growing at 0.78% annually or about 49 people per year. The trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 5.9 points and young-adult share down 3.5 points over the decade. Migration is balanced, with 28 net internal arrivals and 14 overseas arrivals per year.
How much development is happening in Bargo?
There were 57 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent samples include demolition and new structure works, shed construction, and an educational establishment application lodged in May 2026. Activity reflects residential consolidation and improvement rather than large-scale new housing supply, consistent with a suburb at 92 residents per km2 with established infrastructure.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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