Denman
A 43-year median age and 1,821 residents give Denman a settled small-town profile, while 85.1% of homes are separate houses and 36.2% are owned outright. Age sits 3.0 years above the national comparison, and the suburb's IRSAD and IRSD results both reach decile 10, placing it above most areas on socioeconomic advantage. Compared with nearby Muswellbrook's larger regional-service role, Denman presents as lower-density at 15.6 people per square kilometre and more dependent on cars, with 80.2% driving to work. The trade-off is a limited apartment base of 3.5% and a high 11.5% vacancy rate, so buyers get conventional housing but should test local resale and rental depth.
Local council: Muswellbrook
Population
1,821
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,427/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
40
For buyers, Denman is oriented to detached family housing rather than apartments: 85.1% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 3.5% apartments and 9.9% semi-detached homes. The bedroom mix reinforces that pattern, with 41.5% of dwellings having 3 bedrooms and 39.7% having 4 or more. A typical mortgage repayment is listed at $1,650 a month, while mortgage costs equal 26.7% of household income, higher than the 19.6% rent-to-income figure. With 36.2% owning outright and 35.3% paying a mortgage, the market has a substantial established-owner base. Buyers should compare commuting costs because 80.2% drive, while only 0.4% use public transport.
For Buyers
For buyers, Denman is oriented to detached family housing rather than apartments: 85.1% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 3.5% apartments and 9.9% semi-detached homes. The bedroom mix reinforces that pattern, with 41.5% of dwellings having 3 bedrooms and 39.7% having 4 or more. A typical mortgage repayment is listed at $1,650 a month, while mortgage costs equal 26.7% of household income, higher than the 19.6% rent-to-income figure. With 36.2% owning outright and 35.3% paying a mortgage, the market has a substantial established-owner base. Buyers should compare commuting costs because 80.2% drive, while only 0.4% use public transport.
For Investors
Investors need to price for income and vacancy rather than assume scarcity. Weekly rent is $280 and the vacancy rate is 11.5%, a higher-vacancy setting than a tightly held rental market, while 24.2% of households rent. That combination can widen tenant choice and soften leasing competition, especially in a town where 85.1% of dwellings are separate houses and only 3.5% are apartments. The development pipeline recorded 38 applications over 12 months, including detached dwellings and dual occupancies, so new supply may compete with older stock. Mining accounts for 23.7% of jobs and machinery or driving occupations number 171, supporting rental demand but also exposing it to employment cycles. Rent takes 19.6% of household income, below the 26.7% mortgage share, which may support affordability for some tenants.
Development Activity
Total DAs
188
Last 12 Months
40
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+66.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Denman
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Denman's demographic profile is older and less university-oriented than the national comparison. Median age is 43, or 3.0 years above national, while 12.7% hold a university qualification, 17.4 percentage points below the national comparison. Overseas-born residents make up 6.6%, 15.0 points below national, and the leading ancestries are English at 799 people, Irish at 202 and Scottish at 176, giving the suburb an Anglo-leaning profile. Household size averages 2.4 people, 0.1 below national, with couples without children representing 41.2% of families and couples with children 39.4%. Residential stability is strong: 81.4% stayed at the same address, while turnover was 18.6%. That supports established local networks, but the 2.4-person average also points to modest household scale compared with larger family markets.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
85.1%
Houses
9.9%
Townhouse
3.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is predominantly conventional and owner-occupied. Separate houses account for 85.1% of dwellings, well above the 3.5% apartment share and 9.9% semi-detached share. Tenure is split between 36.2% owned outright, 35.3% with a mortgage and 24.2% rented, so outright ownership is higher than renting and the market has a sizeable mortgage cohort. Three-bedroom homes represent 41.5% and four-plus-bedroom homes 39.7%, while only 1.9% have zero or one bedroom. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,650, equal to 26.7% of household income, compared with rent at $280 weekly and 19.6% of income. This structure favours families and long-term owners because detached stock and larger floor plans dominate, but the 11.5% vacancy rate signals that rental demand is not uniformly tight.
Mortgage / mo
$1,650
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $280.
$580
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $570
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$721
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.5%
Unoccupied
93
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.4%
Couples with children
41.2%
Couples, no children
18.1%
Single parent
493
Total families
Economy & Employment
Denman's employment base is led by mining at 23.7% of jobs, followed by healthcare at 10.8%, education at 10.6%, agriculture at 7.3% and construction at 6.6%. Trades count 175 workers and machinery or drivers 171, ahead of community and personal service roles at 101 and labourers at 87, linking the local economy to practical and resource-sector work. Unemployment is 3.2%, participation is 58.8% and full-time employment is 62.1%, supporting a stronger labour position than a high-unemployment town. The apparent anomaly is household income at the 42.2 percentile despite IEO, IER, IRSD and IRSAD all reaching decile 10. Denman therefore ranks above most areas on broader socioeconomic advantage, reflecting established assets and low disadvantage as well as current pay. Employment conditions still depend on mining's 23.7% share.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
874
Unemployed
28
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.1%
Part-time
31.2%
Participation
58.8%
Employed
846
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
12.7%
Postgraduate
2.6%
Born Overseas
6.6%
Dwellings
717
Transport to Work
Denman suits residents comfortable with a low-density, car-oriented routine. Density is 15.6 people per square kilometre, 80.2% travel as car drivers and only 0.4% use public transport, so daily access depends more on private vehicles than transit. Walking or cycling accounts for 6.7% and working from home 8.7%, giving some alternatives but not a substitute for a car. Families have 1 local government primary school, Denman Public School; secondary enrolment, catchments and travel should be checked for the exact address. The IRSAD decile is 10 and the IRSD decile is also 10, above most areas for socioeconomic advantage, which supports a generally resource-secure setting. Volunteering is 20.3%, while 6.4% need assistance, so community participation and support needs coexist. A current crime rate should be checked through NSW Police information rather than assumed from the suburb alone.
Drive
80.2%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
6.7%
Work from Home
8.7%
Growth Outlook
Denman's immediate growth signal is 38 development applications in 12 months, including 1-dwelling houses and 2-dwelling dual occupancies. That level of activity can gradually broaden detached supply, although an 11.5% vacancy rate means extra stock should be matched to real tenant demand. The suburb has 1,821 residents and a settled mobility profile, with 81.4% staying at the same address versus 18.6% turnover. Employment provides a second growth influence: mining is 23.7% of jobs, while healthcare and education contribute 10.8% and 10.6%. Compared with a rapidly turning-over market, Denman's 81.4% staying rate points to slower churn, so growth is likely to be incremental and tied to local jobs, services and small-scale housing additions.
Population trend: Muswellbrook council area
Denman sits in the Muswellbrook council area. These are the council area's residents, not Denman's.
Residents 2025
16,859
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.4%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.1%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Denman compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denman a good suburb to live in?
Denman can suit households wanting detached housing and a settled setting. The median age is 43, 85.1% of dwellings are separate houses and 80.2% of commuters drive, so it is a better fit for car-oriented living than transit-led convenience. Compare the local lifestyle with nearby Muswellbrook before deciding.
What is the median house price in Denman?
A current median house price is not provided. Housing is predominantly detached, with 85.1% separate houses, while 36.2% of households own outright and 35.3% have a mortgage. Buyers should check recent comparable sales and confirm whether the $1,650 monthly mortgage figure suits their budget.
What schools are in Denman?
Denman Public School is the listed local school, and it is a government primary school. Families should confirm the current catchment, enrolment rules and secondary-school travel for the exact address. Public transport is only 0.4%, so school access may depend heavily on a car.
Is Denman safe?
Denman's current crime rate should be checked through up-to-date NSW Police information, so a firm safety rating would be unsupported here. Inspect the street at different times as well. The suburb has 1,821 residents, 6.4% need assistance and 20.3% volunteer, providing context about local support needs but not a crime measure.
Is Denman good for property investment?
Denman may suit investors comfortable with a small, employment-linked rental market. Weekly rent is $280, vacancy is 11.5% and 24.2% of households rent. There were 38 development applications in 12 months, so assess competing supply, tenant depth and mining exposure before buying. The 19.6% rent-to-income share indicates some affordability support.
How is Denman's population changing?
Denman has 1,821 residents and a relatively settled mobility profile: 81.4% stayed at the same address while turnover was 18.6%. Recent development activity reached 38 applications across 12 months, which may add homes gradually. Mining contributes 23.7% of jobs, so future local demand will remain linked to employment and services.
What development is occurring in Denman?
Recent development activity is material for a small town: 38 applications were recorded over 12 months, with examples including a 1-dwelling house and 2-dwelling dual occupancies. That may expand detached supply, but the 11.5% vacancy rate means buyers should test whether new stock is absorbed by local households, workers or investors.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
Explore Denman on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map