Darlington Point
A population of just 1,030 spread across 725 square kilometres gives Darlington Point a density of 1.4 people per km2, one of the lowest ratios you will find in any NSW locality. Despite that remoteness, the median house price of $377,500 sits firmly in the affordable range, well below the NSW state average, and mortgage repayments of $1,083 a month represent only 19.1% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold. Agriculture drives 17% of local employment, reflecting the town's identity as a Riverina farming centre rather than a commuter suburb. The household income sits at the 31st percentile nationally, underscoring the working-class economic character of the area.
Population
1,030
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,312/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
21
Median House
$378K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
At $377,500 the median house price is significantly lower than state and national figures, making Darlington Point one of the more accessible entry points for first-home buyers or those downsizing. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.1% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, which means buyers here face less financial pressure than in most NSW markets. Separate houses dominate at 96.5% of dwellings, so the vast majority of buyers are purchasing standalone homes rather than units. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 54.9% of stock and four-plus bedrooms for 24.9%, giving families a range of sizes. The latest price data shows a move from $382,500 in 2024 to $365,000 in 2025, a decline of 4.6%, so buyers should factor in some price softness when projecting short-term capital outcomes.
For Buyers
At $377,500 the median house price is significantly lower than state and national figures, making Darlington Point one of the more accessible entry points for first-home buyers or those downsizing. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.1% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, which means buyers here face less financial pressure than in most NSW markets. Separate houses dominate at 96.5% of dwellings, so the vast majority of buyers are purchasing standalone homes rather than units. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 54.9% of stock and four-plus bedrooms for 24.9%, giving families a range of sizes. The latest price data shows a move from $382,500 in 2024 to $365,000 in 2025, a decline of 4.6%, so buyers should factor in some price softness when projecting short-term capital outcomes.
For Investors
The rental market shows weekly rent of $200, which against the $377,500 median implies a gross yield near 2.75%, higher than major metro markets but still modest in absolute terms. The vacancy rate of 9.2% is notably elevated compared to national norms, signalling thin rental demand relative to available stock. The renting population stands at 31.5%, a reasonable tenant pool for a town of 1,030. Development activity recorded 19 applications in the past 12 months, a mix of new dwelling houses and rural/agricultural permits consistent with the local economy. Price history shows a 4.6% fall over the past year from a peak of $382,500, so capital growth expectations should be conservative. The 79.1% of residents who stayed in the same address over five years suggests low turnover and stable but slow-moving demand.
Development Activity
Total DAs
78
Last 12 Months
21
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+90.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Darlington Point iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Darlington Point Public School
K-6 · 88 students
Demographics
The median age of 44 is 4.0 years above the national figure, reflecting an older population that is typical of smaller inland NSW towns. Only 7.8% of residents were born overseas, which is 13.8 percentage points below the national average, indicating a predominantly locally born community. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (361 residents) leads, followed by Irish (94) and Scottish (91), with Italian (51) the main southern European group. University qualifications reach just 13.7%, which is 16.4 percentage points below national, consistent with the manual and trade-oriented occupational base. Average household size of 2.3 is slightly below national. The volunteering rate of 14.4% suggests reasonable community participation for a town of this size.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.5%
Houses
0.8%
Townhouse
2.8%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure split shows 37.2% owning outright, 31.2% carrying a mortgage and 31.5% renting. The high outright-ownership share signals a mature, settled population rather than a churning buyer market. Separate houses account for 96.5% of all dwellings, with apartments at just 2.8% and semi-detached at 0.8%, so this is effectively an all-detached market. Three-bedroom homes are the norm at 54.9% and four-plus bedrooms add 24.9%, giving plenty of family-sized options. Price history spans $382,500 in 2024 falling to $365,000 in 2025, a 4.6% decline. Rent-to-income at 15.2% is low, keeping renters well below financial stress, and the $200 weekly rent is far below state medians, reflecting the affordability profile typical of rural Riverina towns.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,083
Rent / wk
$200
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$736
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.2%
Unoccupied
42
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.9%
Couples, no children
724
Total families
Economy & Employment
Agriculture leads local industry at 17.0% of employed residents (40 workers), followed by Manufacturing at 15.7% (37 workers) and Healthcare at 10.6% (25 workers), with Construction and Education each at 7.2%. This industry mix is typical of Riverina agricultural towns, where irrigated farming and associated processing anchor the economy. By occupation, Labourers (94) and Managers (90) are the two largest groups, suggesting a bimodal workforce of farm hands and farm operators. The full-time employment rate is 71.1% among those working, but the participation rate of 53.8% is low compared to national norms, and unemployment sits at 6.2%, higher than state averages. Household income in the 31st percentile nationally reflects the earning constraints of a rurally based economy.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
71.1%
Part-time
22.7%
Participation
53.8%
Employed
440
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.7%
Postgraduate
4.0%
Born Overseas
7.8%
Dwellings
398
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 87.7% driving to work, which is expected given the town's remoteness and 725 km2 footprint. Walking or cycling accounts for 7.3% of commutes, feasible within the township itself. No schools are recorded in the dataset for this postcode, so families depend on facilities in nearby centres. Crime data is not available in the dataset for this locality. Rent-to-income of 15.2% and mortgage-to-income of 19.1% are both well below stress thresholds, meaning housing costs are manageable relative to incomes compared to most NSW markets. The 9.2% vacancy rate suggests some surplus rental stock, which can benefit tenants through choice and pricing power. Assistance needs stand at 7.6% of the population (70 people), above what a low-disadvantage profile would suggest.
Drive
87.7%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
7.3%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Darlington Point compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Darlington Point a good suburb to live in?
Darlington Point suits buyers who want affordable, detached housing in a rural setting. The $377,500 median house price is well below NSW state averages, and mortgage-to-income of 19.1% is below the 30% stress threshold. The trade-offs are limited services, no schools recorded in the dataset, high car dependence at 87.7%, and a 9.2% vacancy rate that reflects thin local demand.
What is the median house price in Darlington Point?
The median house price is $377,500, based on 2024-2025 data. Prices fell 4.6% from $382,500 in 2024 to $365,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, and the household income sits at the 31st percentile nationally, keeping the mortgage-to-income ratio at 19.1%.
What schools are in Darlington Point?
No schools are recorded inside the Darlington Point postcode 2706 in this dataset. Families in the area typically rely on educational facilities in nearby Riverina towns. The local university qualification rate is 13.7%, which is 16.4 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the trade and agriculture-oriented workforce.
Is Darlington Point safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Darlington Point in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the 79.1% five-year residential stability rate suggests a settled community with low population churn. Housing stress indicators are also low, with mortgage-to-income at 19.1% and rent-to-income at 15.2%, both well below financial stress thresholds.
Is Darlington Point good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $200 against a $377,500 median implies a gross yield near 2.75%, higher than inner-city markets but limited by a 9.2% vacancy rate, which is elevated compared to national norms. The 4.6% price fall over 2024-2025 and a modest pipeline of 19 development applications suggest cautious capital growth expectations. The 31.5% renter share provides a tenant base.
How is Darlington Point's population changing?
Darlington Point has a population of 1,030 across 725 km2. The 79.1% residential stability rate shows most residents stay long term. Development activity is modest at 19 applications in 12 months, mostly single-dwelling permits. Price data covering 2024-2025 shows a 4.6% decline, consistent with limited growth momentum typical of small inland NSW towns rather than expanding populations.
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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