NSW 2739 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Buronga

At $335,000, the median house price in Buronga sits well below the national average, yet the suburb carries a vacancy rate of 11.7%, more than double typical market levels, signalling that supply exceeds current demand. Detached houses make up 87.4% of stock, cementing its character as a low-density owner-occupier town on the NSW side of the Murray River. Household income lands in the 39.2nd percentile nationally, and three of four SEIFA indexes place the area in decile 3, indicating meaningful disadvantage compared to most Australian suburbs. Population has grown 12.9% over the past decade, driven by a balanced mix of internal and overseas migration averaging 43 and 18 arrivals annually.

Buronga urban fabric map

Population

1,252

Median Age

38.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,381/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

62

Median House

$335K

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

15.46 km²· 81 people/km²· Family income $1,743/wk

The median house price of $335,000 is well below the NSW state median, making Buronga one of the more affordable entry points in the state for detached housing. Mortgage-to-income sits at 21.7%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, so buyers financing at current rates retain reasonable headroom. Prices dipped from $366,500 in 2024 to $315,250 in 2025, a 14% decline, suggesting buyers currently hold negotiating power relative to recent peaks. Separate houses account for 87.4% of all dwellings, and 3-bedroom homes are the most common at 48.3%, with 4-plus bedroom properties also well represented at 31.9%. Ownership rates are healthy, with 33.2% owning outright and 41.6% on a mortgage, compared to a renting rate of 25.2%.

For Buyers

The median house price of $335,000 is well below the NSW state median, making Buronga one of the more affordable entry points in the state for detached housing. Mortgage-to-income sits at 21.7%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, so buyers financing at current rates retain reasonable headroom. Prices dipped from $366,500 in 2024 to $315,250 in 2025, a 14% decline, suggesting buyers currently hold negotiating power relative to recent peaks. Separate houses account for 87.4% of all dwellings, and 3-bedroom homes are the most common at 48.3%, with 4-plus bedroom properties also well represented at 31.9%. Ownership rates are healthy, with 33.2% owning outright and 41.6% on a mortgage, compared to a renting rate of 25.2%.

For Investors

The investment case for Buronga is constrained by two headline figures: a vacancy rate of 11.7%, far higher than the national average, and a weekly rent of $203, which generates a modest gross yield against the $335,000 median. At current figures, gross yield approximates 3.2%, low given the vacancy risk. On the positive side, the suburb recorded 57 development applications in the past 12 months, including warehouse and dwelling construction, reflecting ongoing economic activity beyond residential. Net internal migration averages 43 persons a year and overseas migration adds 18, supporting a gradual demand base. Rent grew 33.3% over the decade, outpacing many comparable regional markets, though the high vacancy suggests that local absorption capacity is limited relative to available stock.

Development Activity

Total DAs

233

Last 12 Months

62

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+5.1%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
26
Commercial / Industrial
22
New Dwelling
19
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
14
Subdivision
13
Renovation / Extension
7
Demolition
4
Swimming Pool / Spa
4

Schools in Buronga iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Buronga Public School

ICSEA 870 Primary Government

K-6 · 80 students

Demographics

Buronga's median age of 38 is 2 years below the national figure, skewing slightly younger than the national average. Overseas-born residents account for 10.8% of the population, which is 10.8 percentage points below the national rate, pointing to a predominantly Australian-born community. English ancestry dominates, led by English (436), Scottish (124) and Irish (111) backgrounds. University qualifications reach 20.3% of residents, which is 9.8 percentage points below the national average, and the suburb scores decile 3 on the Index of Education and Occupation, reflecting lower formal credentialling than most metropolitan areas. Average household size of 2.6 aligns closely with the national figure of 2.5. Couples with children (384 households) outnumber couples without children (270), giving the suburb a family-oriented composition.

Age Distribution

0-14
20.8%
15-24
11.3%
25-44
27.6%
45-64
25.5%
65+
15.0%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
4.8%
2 bed
15.0%
3 bed
48.3%
4+ bed
31.9%

Dwelling Structure

87.4%

Houses

6.7%

Townhouse

2.1%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 33.2% Mortgage 41.6% Rent 25.2%

Buronga's housing stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 87.4%, with semi-detached dwellings at 6.7% and apartments a marginal 2.1%, a profile that sits well above national averages for detached housing. Three-bedroom homes lead at 48.3%, followed by 4-plus bedroom properties at 31.9%, indicating larger family-oriented floor plans are the norm. Tenure splits with 33.2% owning outright, 41.6% on mortgages and 25.2% renting. The median house price of $315,250 as of 2025 is down 14% from the 2024 peak of $366,500, reversing some of the affordability compression seen in regional NSW during the pandemic. Rent-to-income at 14.7% is well below the 30% stress threshold, making Buronga one of the more affordable rental markets relative to local incomes.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,300

Rent / wk

$203

HH Size

2.6

Personal Income / wk

$772

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

11.7%

Unoccupied

58

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

14.7%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.7%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
436
Ancestry NS
136
Scottish
124
Irish
111
Other
88
Italian
80

Household Composition

28.8%

Couples, no children

938

Total families

Economy & Employment

Education (16.1%, 55 workers) and Healthcare (14.7%, 50 workers) are the dominant industries, together accounting for nearly a third of local employment, a pattern typical of service-dependent regional towns. Retail (9.7%) and Construction (8.8%) add further breadth, while Public Administration at 8.2% reflects a government employment base. By occupation, Professionals lead at 95 workers, followed closely by Labourers (88) and Managers (80), an unusually compressed spread between white-collar and manual roles. The unemployment rate of 4.5% is modest and the full-time employment rate of 68.9% is healthy, though the participation rate of 55.2% is below average, partly because 314 residents are not in the labour force. Real incomes grew 24.3% over the decade, but household income remains in the 39.2nd percentile nationally, reflecting the modest wage base of regional service industries.

Unemployment

5.3%

Labour Force

3,695

Unemployed

196

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
3
Disadvantage
3
Economic resources
4
Education & occupation
3

Full-time

68.9%

Part-time

26.6%

Participation

55.2%

Employed

528

Occupations

Professionals 95
Labourers 88
Managers 80
Community/Personal 68
Clerical/Admin 65
Sales 47
Machinery/Drivers 31

Top Industries

Education 16.1%
Healthcare 14.7%
Retail 9.7%
Construction 8.8%
Public Admin 8.2%

University

20.3%

Postgraduate

2.7%

Born Overseas

10.8%

Dwellings

435

Transport to Work

Car dependency is high in Buronga, with 85.4% of workers driving, compared to a national average well below that figure, reflecting the regional setting where public transport at 1.7% is minimal. Walking and cycling account for 3.4% of commutes. Crime data is not available for this suburb in the current dataset. The IRSAD decile of 3 places Buronga in the lower third nationally for socioeconomic advantage, meaning residents have fewer resources on average than most Australian suburbs. Volunteering at 14.7% shows reasonable community engagement, and housing stress is low with rent-to-income at 14.7% and mortgage-to-income at 21.7%, both below stress thresholds. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families likely draw on services in neighbouring Mildura across the Murray.

Drive

85.4%

Public Transport

1.7%

Walk / Cycle

3.4%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.8%/yr

(+55 people/yr)

Established

Population grew 12.9% over the past decade, reaching approximately 1,252 residents, and the forecast trend projects annual growth of 0.8%, adding roughly 55 persons per year through to 2031. Migration drives this growth on both channels: internal migration averages a net 43 arrivals annually and overseas migration contributes 18, with no single driver dominating. The gentrification score of 20 places Buronga at the early signs stage, supported by a young share declining 1.7 points and a senior share rising 4.5 points, consistent with an aging trajectory. Affordability has improved, with the housing cost-to-income ratio falling from 32.4% in 2011 to 28.2% in 2021, a trend that may attract buyers priced out of larger regional centres. Development activity at 57 applications in 12 months includes both residential and commercial warehouse activity, pointing to modest economic diversification.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+18

Net Internal / yr

+43

20

Gentrification Signal

Early signs

Population +16% since 2011, Accelerating: 2% → 13%

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Buronga compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 26%
Household Income
Bottom 39%
Rent Level
Bottom 35%
Apartments
Bottom 36%
Renters
Top 37%
Uni Educated
Bottom 38%
Public Transport
Bottom 29%
Born Overseas
Bottom 34%
Density
Top 28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buronga a good suburb to live in?

Buronga offers housing affordability well below the NSW state median at $335,000, and housing stress is low with mortgage-to-income at 21.7% and rent-to-income at 14.7%. Trade-offs include a high vacancy rate of 11.7% and SEIFA decile 3 rankings, placing it in the lower third nationally for socioeconomic advantage.

What is the median house price in Buronga?

The median house price is $335,000. Prices peaked at $366,500 in 2024 before falling 14% to $315,250 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $203 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,300, keeping housing costs comfortably below stress thresholds for most households.

What schools are in Buronga?

No schools are recorded inside the Buronga suburb boundary in this dataset. With a population of 1,252 residents and an average household size of 2.6, families in the area likely access schools in neighbouring Mildura, which is immediately adjacent across the Murray River.

Is Buronga safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Buronga in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores decile 3 on IRSAD nationally, suggesting below-average socioeconomic resources, which is worth considering. Volunteering participation at 14.7% and 5.0% of residents needing daily assistance provide limited indirect signals about community cohesion.

Is Buronga good for property investment?

The high vacancy rate of 11.7% is a significant concern for investors because it implies weaker rental demand relative to available stock. Weekly rent of $203 against a $335,000 median implies a gross yield of approximately 3.2%. On the upside, rent grew 33.3% over the decade and 57 development applications in 12 months signal ongoing economic activity.

How is Buronga's population changing?

Population grew 12.9% over the past decade and the forecast trend projects 0.8% annual growth, adding around 55 persons per year through 2031. Both internal migration (net 43 per year) and overseas migration (18 per year) contribute to growth. The demographic profile is aging, with the senior share rising 4.5 points over the decade.

How much development is happening in Buronga?

There were 57 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including warehouse construction and residential dwelling applications. This level of activity is above average for a suburb of 1,252 residents, reflecting commercial and residential growth linked to its location in the Mildura-Sunraysia economic zone.

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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