Bourkelands
At a median age of 35, Bourkelands skews 5 years younger than the national figure, yet household income sits in the 83.7th percentile nationally, combining relative youth with above-average earnings. The suburb is almost entirely detached housing, with 94.3% of dwellings separate houses and 67.5% having 4 or more bedrooms, pointing to a community of young families at the mortgage stage. Located within the 2650 postcode of Wagga Wagga, the local economy leans heavily on Healthcare (27.8% of employed residents) and Education (15.5%), sectors that tend to anchor stable employment across business cycles.
Population
3,113
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,203/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
8
Median House
$690K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price sits at $690,000 based on 2024-2025 PSI data, with prices edging from $695,000 in 2024 to $685,000 in 2025, a modest 1.4% dip. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, which is lower than many comparable regional NSW markets. Stock is overwhelmingly detached: 94.3% separate houses, with 67.5% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms, compared to much more mixed profiles in urban centres. Tenure splits across 43.9% with a mortgage, 30.6% owning outright, and 25.5% renting, a pattern that reflects a suburb still building long-term equity rather than one already held by debt-free owners.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at $690,000 based on 2024-2025 PSI data, with prices edging from $695,000 in 2024 to $685,000 in 2025, a modest 1.4% dip. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, which is lower than many comparable regional NSW markets. Stock is overwhelmingly detached: 94.3% separate houses, with 67.5% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms, compared to much more mixed profiles in urban centres. Tenure splits across 43.9% with a mortgage, 30.6% owning outright, and 25.5% renting, a pattern that reflects a suburb still building long-term equity rather than one already held by debt-free owners.
For Investors
Rental demand in Bourkelands is moderate: 25.5% of dwellings are rented, with a median weekly rent of $360. At that rent against a $690,000 median, gross yield sits around 2.7%, below capital city norms but typical for regional NSW owner-occupier suburbs. The vacancy rate of 3.3% is at the upper edge of a healthy range, signalling limited rental tightness. Development activity is low, with only 8 applications in the past 12 months, mostly alterations rather than new dwellings, so new supply is not a near-term pressure. The 25.9% turnover rate suggests meaningful churn for a suburb of 3,113 residents, which keeps secondary market listings active.
Development Activity
Total DAs
60
Last 12 Months
8
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+14.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 35 is 5 years below the national average, reflecting Bourkelands as a younger family suburb rather than a retiree or student enclave. University qualifications reach 34.0%, which is 3.9 percentage points above the national figure, and the unemployment rate is just 2.4%. Overseas-born residents make up 15.4% of the population, which is 6.2 percentage points below the national average, consistent with the anglo-leaning identity signal. Top ancestries are English (1,227), Irish (382), and Scottish (324). Malayalam (67 speakers) is the most common non-English language, reflecting a small South Indian community, likely linked to healthcare sector workers. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above national, consistent with the family-stage composition.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.3%
Houses
1.2%
Townhouse
4.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Bourkelands is defined by its housing stock: 94.3% separate houses, well above the national mix, with 67.5% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms. This is a suburb built for families, not apartments or downsizers. Tenure breaks down as 43.9% mortgaged, 30.6% owned outright, and 25.5% renting. The mortgage concentration higher than outright ownership reflects a community still building equity, where mortgage-belt dynamics shape local spending and stability. Median house price moved from $695,000 in 2024 to $685,000 in 2025, a 1.4% decline, small in absolute terms but a shift from the price trajectory seen in tighter regional markets. Rent-to-income at 16.3% keeps renters well below the 30% stress line.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$360
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$1,003
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.3%
Unoccupied
37
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.8%
Couples, no children
2,667
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 27.8% of employed residents (322 workers), significantly higher than the national average, likely anchored by Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and surrounding health services. Education follows at 15.5% (180 workers) and Public Administration at 11.4% (132 workers), collectively making Bourkelands a public-sector-heavy suburb by occupation. By role, Professionals account for the largest occupational group (461), followed by Community and Personal Service workers (236) and Clerical and Admin staff (217). Full-time employment runs at 69.6%, with a participation rate of 69.0% and unemployment at just 2.4%, lower than most national benchmarks. Household income at the 83.7th percentile nationally reflects these stable public-sector wages.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.6%
Part-time
28.0%
Participation
69.0%
Employed
1,603
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.0%
Postgraduate
7.2%
Born Overseas
15.4%
Dwellings
1,083
Transport to Work
Bourkelands is overwhelmingly car-dependent: 92.6% of residents drive to work, and only 0.4% use public transport, lower than regional NSW averages. Walking and cycling account for 1.1% of commutes. The suburb has a 4.4% rate of residents needing assistance with daily activities, which is moderate. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, though the 2650 postcode area is well served by Wagga Wagga schooling infrastructure. Volunteering stands at 17.0% of residents, above national norms for communities of this size. Rent-to-income at 16.3% and mortgage-to-income at 18.2% both sit comfortably below the stress threshold, pointing to a financially stable resident base.
Drive
92.6%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.1%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bourkelands compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bourkelands a good suburb to live in?
Bourkelands suits families seeking detached housing with stable finances. Household income sits in the 83.7th percentile nationally, unemployment is just 2.4%, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.2% is well below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb is dominated by 4-plus bedroom separate houses at 94.3% of stock, ideal for family-stage buyers.
What is the median house price in Bourkelands?
The median house price is approximately $690,000 based on 2024-2025 PSI data. Prices moved from $695,000 in 2024 to $685,000 in 2025, a modest 1.4% decline. Weekly rent averages $360, and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733.
What schools are in Bourkelands?
No schools are recorded inside the Bourkelands boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the broader Wagga Wagga (2650 postcode) area. Despite the lack of in-suburb schools, 34.0% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 3.9 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Bourkelands safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Bourkelands in this dataset. Indirect indicators are positive: unemployment is just 2.4%, household income sits in the 83.7th percentile nationally, and the volunteering rate of 17.0% reflects community cohesion. These factors are generally associated with lower-disadvantage, lower-crime areas.
Is Bourkelands good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $360 against a $690,000 median implies a gross yield around 2.7%, below capital city investor benchmarks. The vacancy rate of 3.3% is at the upper end of the healthy range, and development activity is low at 8 applications in 12 months. The stable public-sector employment base supports steady tenant demand, but capital growth potential is modest given the 1.4% price dip from 2024 to 2025.
How is Bourkelands's population changing?
The current population is 3,113 across a 2.1 km2 footprint, giving a density of 1,482 per km2. The 25.9% turnover rate indicates meaningful resident churn, common in regional centres with public-sector and healthcare workforces that relocate. Detailed year-on-year growth projections are not available in the current dataset.
What industries employ residents in Bourkelands?
Healthcare is the top industry at 27.8% of employed residents (322 workers), followed by Education at 15.5% (180 workers) and Public Administration at 11.4% (132 workers). These three sectors together account for over half of local employment, anchoring the suburb to Wagga Wagga's public-service and hospital economy.
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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