Bourke
With a median house price of $285,000 and a vacancy rate of 29.1%, Bourke sits in a different league from coastal NSW towns, where affordability rarely gets this stark. The population of 1,699 has declined 20% over 10 years, driven by net internal outflow of 82 people per year, and the medium forecast points to roughly 2,879 residents by 2031. SEIFA places the suburb in decile 2 on IRSD, meaning it ranks among the most disadvantaged 20% of areas nationally. Despite that, household income sits at the 49.7th percentile nationally, and the public sector accounts for 42.8% of local jobs, providing an employment floor that keeps the local economy partially insulated from private-market swings.
Population
1,699
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,560/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
17
Median House
$285K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
At $285,000 median, Bourke costs well below the NSW state median and represents one of the more affordable freestanding house markets in the state. The stock is 95.1% separate houses, so buyers face little competition from apartments or semi-detached product. Three-bedroom homes make up 45.2% of dwellings and 4-plus bedrooms 32.8%, giving families genuine space at low prices. Monthly mortgage repayments average $947, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 14.0%, far below the 30% stress threshold compared to metro markets. Price data shows a drop from $323,750 in 2024 to $225,000 in 2025, a 30.5% decline in one year, which signals price softness buyers should weigh carefully before committing. Outright ownership stands at 31.4%, with 43.4% renting, reflecting the high proportion of lower-income households relative to the national average.
For Buyers
At $285,000 median, Bourke costs well below the NSW state median and represents one of the more affordable freestanding house markets in the state. The stock is 95.1% separate houses, so buyers face little competition from apartments or semi-detached product. Three-bedroom homes make up 45.2% of dwellings and 4-plus bedrooms 32.8%, giving families genuine space at low prices. Monthly mortgage repayments average $947, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 14.0%, far below the 30% stress threshold compared to metro markets. Price data shows a drop from $323,750 in 2024 to $225,000 in 2025, a 30.5% decline in one year, which signals price softness buyers should weigh carefully before committing. Outright ownership stands at 31.4%, with 43.4% renting, reflecting the high proportion of lower-income households relative to the national average.
For Investors
The rental market provides a tenant pool, with 43.4% of households renting at $180 per week. Against a $285,000 median, that implies a gross yield around 3.3%, higher than most coastal NSW markets but shadowed by a 29.1% vacancy rate that is far above typical investment benchmarks. The vacancy rate is a hard signal of oversupply and limited demand, because the population is declining at 2.4% annually, losing roughly 82 people per year due to internal migration. Development activity runs at 16 applications in the past 12 months, indicating modest but ongoing construction interest. Net overseas migration adds only 9 people per year, compared to the internal loss of 82, so the demand outlook is structurally negative. Investors should treat the high yield as compensation for illiquidity and price risk rather than a sign of strong underlying demand.
Development Activity
Total DAs
74
Last 12 Months
17
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+41.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Bourke iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Bourke-Walgett School of Distance Education
K-6 · 47 students
St Ignatius' Parish School
K-6 · 90 students
Bourke High School
7-12 · 134 students
Bourke Public School
K-6 · 145 students
Demographics
Bourke's median age is 35, which is 5 years below the national figure, producing a younger demographic profile than most regional NSW towns. University qualifications reach 22.3%, which is 7.8 percentage points below the national average, consistent with a workforce concentrated in public sector service delivery rather than knowledge industries. Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (518 residents), Irish (144) and Scottish (105). Overseas-born residents represent only 6.4% of the population, 15.2 percentage points below the national rate, making Bourke one of the least internationally diverse towns in NSW by that measure. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure, and 42.0% of families are couples with children, reflecting the younger age profile. Volunteering runs at 15.8%, above many comparable remote communities.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
95.1%
Houses
1.8%
Townhouse
2.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Bourke's housing market is dominated by separate houses at 95.1%, with apartments at just 2.6% and semi-detached at 1.8%, a stock profile more concentrated in detached housing than the national average. Three-bedroom homes account for 45.2% and 4-plus bedrooms 32.8%, skewing larger than most urban markets. Tenure splits into 31.4% owned outright, 25.2% with a mortgage and 43.4% renting, with the renter share higher than the national average because low incomes limit ownership access. The 29.1% vacancy rate is the most significant housing characteristic: it is structurally elevated because population decline leaves dwellings unoccupied rather than circulating in the market. Rent-to-income sits at 11.5% and mortgage-to-income at 14.0%, both well below stress thresholds compared to most NSW markets, so affordability for those currently housed is not the constraint. The constraint is population and demand, not cost.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$947
Rent / wk
$180
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$860
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
29.1%
Unoccupied
227
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
11.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.6%
Couples, no children
1,118
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration and education each account for 21.4% of local employment (88 workers each), and healthcare adds 18.7% (77 workers), together comprising over 61% of the workforce. This concentration in government-funded services is why the local economy has a stability floor despite SEIFA decile 2 disadvantage, because public sector jobs do not disappear with property cycles. Agriculture contributes 6.1% (25 workers), reflecting Bourke's role as a pastoral and wool-producing region. The unemployment rate is 4.3% and the full-time employment rate among employed residents is 77.4%, both reasonable figures for a remote town. Real income growth of 21.8% over the decade was real progress, yet the suburb still sits at the 49.7th percentile nationally for household income, suggesting the gains were broadly in line with national trends rather than a catch-up. The SEIFA IER decile of 1 (economic resources) signals low household wealth despite median incomes.
Unemployment
7.7%
Labour Force
1,588
Unemployed
123
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
77.4%
Part-time
18.3%
Participation
50.8%
Employed
638
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.3%
Postgraduate
4.5%
Born Overseas
6.4%
Dwellings
546
Transport to Work
Car use stands at 71.8%, which is the primary mode of transport in a remote town with limited public transport options. Walking and cycling account for 18.8% of commutes, a higher share than many comparable outback towns, likely because the town centre is compact and distances short. No schools are recorded in the dataset boundary, so families rely on schools in the wider Bourke area. SEIFA IRSAD decile is 3, placing the suburb in the lower 30% nationally for relative disadvantage, with an IRSD decile of 2 indicating significant socioeconomic disadvantage compared to the state and national averages. About 6.6% of residents (92 people) need daily assistance, above the national average, consistent with the disadvantage profile. Rent-to-income at 11.5% keeps housing affordable for renters compared to most NSW towns, which is one genuine livability advantage for lower-income households choosing to stay.
Drive
71.8%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
18.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-2.4%/yr
(-82 people/yr)
DecliningBourke's population declined 20% over 10 years, a sustained contraction rather than a one-off shock. Current population of 1,699 sits below both the 2023 figure of 3,520 and the pre-COVID level of 3,828, with the COVID dip of 5.5% never recovered. The medium forecast extends the decline: 3,287 in 2026 falling to 2,879 by 2031 at roughly 82 fewer residents per year. Net internal migration removes 82 people annually, while overseas migration adds only 9, making internal outflow the structural driver. The aging trajectory adds a secondary pressure: the senior share grew 3.3 points while the young-adult share fell 3.7 points over the decade, shrinking the working-age pool. Gentrification is not a factor here, scored at stage 0 with no positive signals, unlike many coastal or peri-urban towns that benefit from lifestyle migration.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+9
Net Internal / yr
-82
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bourke compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bourke a good suburb to live in?
Bourke suits those who value low housing costs and a slower pace: the median house price is $285,000 and rent averages $180 per week, well below NSW norms. Trade-offs include a SEIFA IRSD decile of 2 (bottom 20% nationally for disadvantage), declining population down 20% over 10 years, and limited services relative to coastal or metro areas.
What is the median house price in Bourke?
The median house price is $285,000, based on 2024-2025 data. Prices dropped from $323,750 in 2024 to $225,000 in 2025, a 30.5% decline in one year. Weekly rent averages $180 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $947, giving a low mortgage-to-income ratio of 14.0%.
What schools are in Bourke?
No schools are recorded within the Bourke suburb boundary in this dataset. Families in the area access schools in the wider Bourke district. University qualifications among residents reach 22.3%, which is 7.8 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the remote and public-sector-focused workforce.
Is Bourke safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Bourke in this dataset. The suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 2, placing it in the most disadvantaged 20% of Australian areas nationally, which is often correlated with higher crime rates in remote towns. About 6.6% of residents (92 people) need daily assistance, above the national average.
Is Bourke good for property investment?
The gross rental yield is approximately 3.3% ($180 per week rent vs $285,000 median), higher than many coastal NSW markets. However, the 29.1% vacancy rate signals significant oversupply, and population is declining 2.4% annually with net internal outflow of 82 people per year. Prices fell 30.5% in one year. Liquidity and capital growth risk are both elevated.
How is Bourke's population changing?
Population declined 20% over 10 years and currently sits at 1,699, losing roughly 82 people per year through internal migration. The medium forecast projects a further decline to around 2,879 by 2031. The suburb did not recover from the COVID-era dip of 5.5%, and the aging trajectory (senior share up 3.3 points) adds further structural pressure.
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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