Canowindra
At a median age of 48, Canowindra runs 8 years older than the national figure, which shapes almost every other number in the profile. With 2,437 residents spread across 765 square kilometres, population density sits at just 3.2 people per km2, far below metropolitan averages. The median house price of $440,000 is accessible compared to state norms, but household income falls in the 17.5th percentile nationally, meaning affordability is still stretched for many local earners. Agriculture dominates the economy at 23.4% of workers, placing this firmly in regional NSW's farming belt. An 11.5% vacancy rate, among the higher levels seen in country towns, signals that housing supply exceeds current demand.
Population
2,437
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,099/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
36
Median House
$440K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
At $440,000, the median house price sits well below the NSW state median, making Canowindra one of the more accessible entry points for buyers priced out of regional centres. However, the price history shows a correction: from $477,500 in 2024 to $410,000 in 2025, a decline of 14.1%, suggesting buyers have bargaining room. Separate houses dominate at 95.3% of dwellings, meaning detached homes are the standard rather than the exception. The bedroom mix skews large, with 36.9% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms and 41.0% having 3, so space is a consistent feature. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,100, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, though the household income percentile of 17.5 nationally means local wages remain a constraint.
For Buyers
At $440,000, the median house price sits well below the NSW state median, making Canowindra one of the more accessible entry points for buyers priced out of regional centres. However, the price history shows a correction: from $477,500 in 2024 to $410,000 in 2025, a decline of 14.1%, suggesting buyers have bargaining room. Separate houses dominate at 95.3% of dwellings, meaning detached homes are the standard rather than the exception. The bedroom mix skews large, with 36.9% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms and 41.0% having 3, so space is a consistent feature. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,100, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, though the household income percentile of 17.5 nationally means local wages remain a constraint.
For Investors
The investment case for Canowindra is cautious. Weekly rent of $220 against a $440,000 median implies a gross yield around 2.6%, below what many investors target. The 11.5% vacancy rate is a material risk, higher than most well-performing regional markets, because it suggests demand is not absorbing supply. The renter share is 23.0%, a thin tenant pool for a town of 2,437 people. On the development side, 36 applications were lodged in the past 12 months, covering secondary dwellings, subdivisions and new houses, indicating some ongoing activity. Net prices fell 14.1% from 2024 to 2025, so capital growth assumptions need careful scrutiny. Income levels in the 17.5th percentile nationally cap rental growth, since tenants cannot pay rents that outpace local wages.
Development Activity
Total DAs
178
Last 12 Months
36
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+12.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Canowindra iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Edward's Catholic Primary School Canowindra
K-6 · 63 students
Canowindra Public School
K-6 · 181 students
Canowindra High School
7-12 · 239 students
Demographics
The median age of 48 places Canowindra 8 years above the national figure, making it one of the older communities in regional NSW. Overseas-born residents account for 7.2% of the population, which is 14.4 percentage points below the national average, pointing to a predominantly locally-born community. Ancestry reflects that pattern: English (971 residents), Irish (329), Scottish (246) and German (112) are the dominant heritages. University qualifications are held by 19.9% of the population, 10.2 points below the national rate, consistent with a blue-collar and agricultural workforce. The average household size of 2.3 is slightly below the national figure. Volunteering is notably high at 23.0%, roughly 5 to 6 points above national norms, which reflects the community reliance typical of regional towns with aging populations.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
95.3%
Houses
3.0%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Canowindra's housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 95.3%, with semi-detached at 3.0% and apartments at just 1.3%, so the market offers very little unit or flat stock. Ownership rates are high: 48.8% own outright and 28.2% carry a mortgage, leaving renters at 23.0%. The outright ownership rate well above the national average of roughly 31% reflects the aging resident base, since older households have had decades to pay down loans. The price trend is negative, with the median dropping from $477,500 in 2024 to $410,000 in 2025, a 14.1% fall. Despite that, the current $440,000 median remains accessible compared to most NSW markets, with monthly mortgage costs of $1,100 at a 23.1% mortgage-to-income ratio below the standard 30% stress level.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,100
Rent / wk
$220
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$609
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.5%
Unoccupied
121
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
34.1%
Couples, no children
1,711
Total families
Economy & Employment
Agriculture leads the local economy at 23.4% of employed residents (150 workers), followed by Healthcare at 17.7% (113 workers) and Education at 11.4% (73 workers). Public Administration and Construction each contribute around 5 to 6%. By occupation, Managers are the largest group at 233 workers, with Professionals at 148 and Labourers at 135, reflecting a mix of farm management and service delivery roles. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, close to national levels, but the participation rate of 49.2% is well below national norms, because the aging population leaves 762 residents outside the labour force. Weekly household income averages $1,099, placing the suburb in the 17.5th income percentile nationally, meaning the local economy generates lower wages than most parts of Australia.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.7%
Part-time
33.3%
Participation
49.2%
Employed
950
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.9%
Postgraduate
2.7%
Born Overseas
7.2%
Dwellings
922
Transport to Work
Private car transport is the practical reality in Canowindra: 86.8% of employed residents drive to work, well above the national car-dependence average, reflecting the lack of public transport options typical of a regional town spread across 765 km2. Walking and cycling account for 7.8%, higher than many rural areas, suggesting the compact town centre allows some local movement on foot. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset. Crime data is not available for this suburb. Need-for-assistance runs at 8.2% of residents (180 people), higher than national averages, which connects to the aging median age of 48 and the below-average income levels in the 17.5th income percentile nationally. Housing stress is limited: rent-to-income sits at 20.0% and mortgage-to-income at 23.1%, both below the 30% stress threshold.
Drive
86.8%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
7.8%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Canowindra compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canowindra a good suburb to live in?
Canowindra suits buyers who value affordability and space. The $440,000 median house price is well below the NSW state median, 95.3% of dwellings are separate houses, and mortgage costs at 23.1% of income stay below the 30% stress threshold. Trade-offs include limited public transport, an 11.5% vacancy rate, and household incomes in the 17.5th percentile nationally.
What is the median house price in Canowindra?
The median house price is $440,000 as of 2024-2025. Prices fell 14.1% from $477,500 in 2024 to $410,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $220 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,100, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%.
What schools are in Canowindra?
No schools are recorded inside the Canowindra suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically rely on schools in nearby towns. University qualifications are held by 19.9% of the local population, which is 10.2 percentage points below the national figure.
Is Canowindra safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Canowindra in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, need-for-assistance runs at 8.2% of the 2,437 residents, slightly above national averages. The high volunteering rate of 23.0% suggests a socially connected community, which is generally associated with lower crime in comparable regional towns.
Is Canowindra good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Gross yield is around 2.6% based on $220 weekly rent against a $440,000 median, below typical targets. The 11.5% vacancy rate signals excess supply over demand. Prices fell 14.1% in 2024 to 2025. The 36 development applications in 12 months show some activity, but income levels in the 17.5th percentile nationally limit rental growth.
How is Canowindra's population changing?
Canowindra has a population of 2,437 spread across 765 square kilometres, giving a density of 3.2 people per km2. The median age of 48 is 8 years above the national figure, indicating an aging demographic profile. The residential stay rate of 87.6% and annual turnover of 12.4% suggest a stable but not expanding population base.
How much development is happening in Canowindra?
There were 36 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including secondary dwellings, subdivisions and new dwelling houses. This level of activity is moderate for a town of 2,437 residents, but the 11.5% vacancy rate and 14.1% price decline suggest supply is currently ahead of demand rather than undersupplied.
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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