Harden
Age and tenure define Harden more than rapid turnover. The suburb has 1,900 residents, a median age of 52, and 48.2% of homes owned outright, placing its age 12.0 years above the national comparison and its household income at the 11.9th percentile. Housing is overwhelmingly detached at 93.6%, while 15.9% vacancy points to a softer market than tightly held regional centres. Harden's compact scale contrasts with nearby Young's larger service role, but local employment is anchored by healthcare at 21.3%, education at 12.6% and public administration at 11.6%. The result is a settled, service oriented town where lower density, local connections and practical access matter more than apartment choice or frequent public transport.
Local council: Hilltops
Population
1,900
Median Age
52.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$973/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
22
For buyers, Harden suits households seeking detached space and manageable repayments rather than apartment living. Separate houses account for 93.6% of stock, with 50.7% of homes having 3 bedrooms and 25.8% having 4 or more. The monthly mortgage figure is $910, while mortgage costs equal 21.6% of household income, below the 22.6% rent to income share. Ownership is relatively secure: 48.2% own outright and 30.8% are paying a mortgage, compared with 19.0% renting. Household income is $973 a week and sits at the 11.9th national percentile, so buyers should test rates, insurance and maintenance against their own budget. Compared with nearby Young, Harden is the smaller market, with fewer apartment alternatives and a stronger detached housing focus.
For Buyers
For buyers, Harden suits households seeking detached space and manageable repayments rather than apartment living. Separate houses account for 93.6% of stock, with 50.7% of homes having 3 bedrooms and 25.8% having 4 or more. The monthly mortgage figure is $910, while mortgage costs equal 21.6% of household income, below the 22.6% rent to income share. Ownership is relatively secure: 48.2% own outright and 30.8% are paying a mortgage, compared with 19.0% renting. Household income is $973 a week and sits at the 11.9th national percentile, so buyers should test rates, insurance and maintenance against their own budget. Compared with nearby Young, Harden is the smaller market, with fewer apartment alternatives and a stronger detached housing focus.
For Investors
Investment conditions are shaped by modest rents, high vacancy and limited rental depth. Weekly rent is $220 and vacancy is 15.9%, so leasing time and tenant demand deserve conservative assumptions. Only 19.0% of households rent, compared with 48.2% owning outright, which can reduce the depth of the local tenant pool. The 22 development applications in the past 12 months indicate ongoing activity, although the examples include subdivision, sheds and garages rather than a confirmed wave of new dwellings. Employment is spread across healthcare at 21.3%, education at 12.6%, public administration at 11.6%, agriculture at 8.5% and construction at 7.6%, supporting local demand because these services and trades are embedded in the town. The 15.9% vacancy rate argues for careful property selection and longer holding assumptions than in tighter regional markets.
Development Activity
Total DAs
147
Last 12 Months
22
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-21.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Harden
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Harden has an older and more settled population profile than Australia overall. Median age is 52, which is 12.0 years above the national comparison, while average household size is 2.1 people, 0.4 below the national figure. Overseas born residents account for 8.5%, 13.1 percentage points below the national comparison, and university educated residents make up 15.8%, 14.3 points below it. English ancestry is the largest recorded background at 843 people, followed by Irish at 242 and Scottish at 155. Christianity includes 1,265 residents, while 474 report no religion. Residential stability is notable: 85.9% stayed at the same address and turnover was 14.1%. Compared with nearby Young, Harden reads as a smaller, older service town, with community networks reinforced by a 20.9% volunteering rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.6%
Houses
2.3%
Townhouse
1.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Harden's housing stock is overwhelmingly detached and designed around family sized or traditional country homes. Separate houses make up 93.6% of dwellings, while apartments account for 1.6% and semi detached homes 2.3%. Three bedroom homes are the largest group at 50.7%, followed by 4 or more bedrooms at 25.8%, so the stock is more spacious than the 19.2% share of two bedroom homes suggests. Tenure is owner led: 48.2% own outright and 30.8% hold a mortgage, compared with 19.0% renting. Mortgage costs are $910 monthly and equal 21.6% of household income; rent is $220 weekly and equals 22.6% of income, with neither stress flag triggered. Vacancy at 15.9% is higher than a tightly held market, creating more choice for renters but also a reason to inspect condition, heating and ongoing maintenance before buying. Compared with nearby Young, Harden has a smaller and more detached oriented housing mix.
Mortgage / mo
$910
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$220
Census 2021
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$550
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.9%
Unoccupied
153
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.8%
Couples with children
50.4%
Couples, no children
18.2%
Single parent
510
Total families
Economy & Employment
Harden's economy is anchored by essential services and practical industries rather than a single dominant employer. Healthcare leads with 21.3% of jobs and 90 workers, followed by education at 12.6% and 53, public administration at 11.6% and 49, agriculture at 8.5% and 36, and construction at 7.6% and 32. That mix fits an older population because health and public services create recurring local demand, while agriculture, construction and trades connect the town to its surrounding rural economy. Occupations include trades at 117, community and personal services at 106, labourers at 99, professionals at 97 and clerical or administration roles at 76. Unemployment is 4.5% among a labour force of 732, while participation is 45.7%. Full time employment is 59.7%, or 417 people, and household income of $973 weekly ranks at the 11.9th national percentile. Compared with larger regional centres, Harden's employment base is smaller but locally focused.
Unemployment
4.5%
Labour Force
732
Unemployed
33
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.7%
Part-time
33.0%
Participation
45.7%
Employed
699
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.8%
Postgraduate
2.1%
Born Overseas
8.5%
Dwellings
810
Transport to Work
Daily life in Harden is practical and car dependent. About 78.3% of commuters drive a car, compared with 0.7% using public transport, while 9.0% walk or cycle and 7.0% work from home. That pattern reflects a low density of 133.6 people per square kilometre and a regional service setting, so households should plan around vehicle access for work, shopping and appointments. School access includes 1 government secondary school, Murrumburrah High School; families should confirm enrolment zones and transport arrangements against the exact address. Community participation is a strength, with 20.9% volunteering, while 8.4% of residents report needing assistance, making access to health and support services important. The median age of 52 is higher than the national comparison, so walkability, medical access and home maintenance may matter more than nightlife. Harden is quieter and more locally connected than larger regional centres, but public transport use is lower in practical terms.
Drive
78.3%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
9.0%
Work from Home
7.0%
Growth Outlook
Harden's growth outlook appears gradual, with today's population at 1,900 and a high residential stability rate of 85.9%. The 14.1% turnover rate suggests fewer households move through the suburb than in a highly transient market, while the median age of 52 points to an aging trajectory rather than a young family surge. Development activity remains visible, with 22 applications in 12 months including subdivision, sheds, alterations and new garages or carports. Those projects can improve the existing housing base because they add utility and may support gradual renewal, but they do not by themselves confirm a large increase in dwelling supply. Vacancy of 15.9% is higher than a constrained market, giving newcomers some choice but potentially weakening incentives for rapid speculative construction. Compared with nearby Young, Harden is more likely to grow through incremental upgrades, infill and service retention than through large scale expansion.
Population trend: Hilltops council area
Harden sits in the Hilltops council area. These are the council area's residents, not Harden's.
Residents 2025
19,347
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.1%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
-0.2%
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 Harden compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harden a good suburb to live in?
Harden can suit buyers who value detached homes, lower density and a settled community. It has 1,900 residents, a median age of 52 and 93.6% separate houses. Daily travel is car led, with 78.3% driving and only 0.7% using public transport, so lifestyle fit depends on having practical vehicle access.
What is the median house price in Harden?
Before relying on a median, check recent Harden sales and the exact dwelling type. The suburb has 93.6% separate houses, with 50.7% containing 3 bedrooms and 25.8% containing 4 or more. Weekly rent is $220, but a current sale price should be confirmed from comparable properties rather than inferred from the housing mix.
What schools are in Harden?
Murrumburrah High School is Harden's local government secondary school, giving families 1 named secondary option. Confirm enrolment zones, year levels, bus routes and out of area rules for the exact address. School type is more important than assuming performance from location alone, and transport planning matters because 78.3% of residents drive.
Is Harden safe?
Use current NSW Police and council information when assessing safety, because a median age of 52 and population of 1,900 cannot establish crime levels. For day to day planning, also check lighting, road conditions, emergency response and access to health services. A local safety decision should be based on current incidents and the exact street, not demographic assumptions.
Is Harden good for property investment?
Harden may suit an investor seeking a small town rental asset, but vacancy needs close attention. Weekly rent is $220 and vacancy is 15.9%, compared with only 19.0% of households renting. There were 22 development applications in 12 months, although examples include subdivision, sheds and garages rather than confirmed new dwellings. Allow for longer leasing periods, repairs and local tenant depth before buying.
How is Harden's population changing?
Harden has 1,900 residents today and a settled mobility pattern: 85.9% stayed at the same address while turnover was 14.1%. The median age of 52 points to an older trajectory than the national comparison, so change is more likely to involve household ageing and gradual renewal than rapid churn. The 22 development applications in 12 months add activity, but do not establish a large population increase.
What development is happening in Harden?
There were 22 development applications in the past 12 months. Examples include a subdivision, shed and alterations or additions, plus a new garage, carport or parking structure. This points to incremental property improvement and land activity rather than confirmed large scale housing supply. Buyers should check approval status, servicing and the effect of any nearby works before committing.
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).
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