Lake Cargelligo
At 15.8% of dwellings vacant, Lake Cargelligo has a markedly looser housing market than a tightly held town. Its 1,430 residents live across 1,788.76 sq km, with a median age of 40 and 91.4% separate houses. Household income sits at the 22.3rd percentile nationally, so affordability can look different from larger centres even when local services are limited. Compared with Condobolin and Hillston, the town has a smaller, more dispersed catchment and a stronger rural-service role. The 85.6% residential stay rate points to established local ties, while education, agriculture and healthcare anchor employment.
Local council: Lachlan
Population
1,430
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,158/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Homebuyers are choosing overwhelmingly detached stock: 91.4% of dwellings are separate houses, 41.6% have 3 bedrooms and 35.0% have 4 or more. The listed monthly mortgage figure is $867, versus weekly rent of $170, while mortgage costs equal 17.3% of household income. This can make owner occupation more manageable because the mortgage stress flag is false, although household income sits at the 22.3rd percentile nationally. Compared with apartment-heavy locations, Lake Cargelligo suits buyers seeking family-sized homes, but the 15.8% vacancy rate means resale and rental demand should be checked carefully.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing overwhelmingly detached stock: 91.4% of dwellings are separate houses, 41.6% have 3 bedrooms and 35.0% have 4 or more. The listed monthly mortgage figure is $867, versus weekly rent of $170, while mortgage costs equal 17.3% of household income. This can make owner occupation more manageable because the mortgage stress flag is false, although household income sits at the 22.3rd percentile nationally. Compared with apartment-heavy locations, Lake Cargelligo suits buyers seeking family-sized homes, but the 15.8% vacancy rate means resale and rental demand should be checked carefully.
For Investors
Investors face a mixed proposition. Renting accounts for 30.9% of occupied dwellings, with weekly rent at $170, but vacancy is 15.8%, far higher than a tight rental market would normally show. Elevated vacancy can reduce tenant urgency and extend leasing periods, so gross yield should be tested against insurance, maintenance and management costs. Only 8 development applications were recorded over 12 months, suggesting limited construction competition, while education at 23.4% of jobs and agriculture at 19.2% provide local employment anchors. Compared with lower-vacancy regional markets, Lake Cargelligo needs a property-specific cash-flow strategy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
76
Last 12 Months
11
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Lake Cargelligo
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Lake Cargelligo has an established local profile without being older than Australia overall: the median age is 40. University attainment is 14.8%, 15.3 percentage points below the national comparison, and overseas-born residents account for 7.0%, 14.6 points below nationally. Average household size is 2.4, just 0.1 below the national figure, consistent with 42.8% of families being couples without children and 19.8% being one-parent families. English ancestry counts 437 people, Scottish 131 and Irish 107. Christianity is recorded for 905 residents, while 314 report no religion. Compared with more migrant-diverse regional centres, the profile is more Anglo-oriented, shaping local networks and service demand.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.4%
Houses
0.0%
Townhouse
8.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached housing dominates at 91.4%, compared with 8.6% apartments, and the stock leans toward larger homes: 41.6% have 3 bedrooms and 35.0% have 4 or more. Ownership is split between 43.6% outright owners, 21.5% paying a mortgage and 30.9% renters. The $867 monthly mortgage figure equals 17.3% of household income, while rent is $170 weekly and rent-to-income is 14.7%, with both stress flags false. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, Lake Cargelligo provides more conventional detached accommodation, but its 15.8% vacancy rate points to softer demand and makes property condition, location and tenant appeal important.
Mortgage / mo
$867
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$170
Census 2021
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$641
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.8%
Unoccupied
98
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.6%
Couples with children
42.8%
Couples, no children
19.8%
Single parent
348
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is concentrated in essential local sectors. Education is the largest industry at 23.4% and 67 workers, ahead of agriculture at 19.2% and 55, while healthcare contributes 12.9% and 37, manufacturing 9.4% and 27, and other services 5.2% and 15. Education's share is higher than agriculture's because the town supports a school and service catchment, while agriculture remains a major land-based employer. Managers lead occupations at 153, followed by community and personal service workers at 79, professionals at 75, trades at 71 and labourers at 66. Unemployment is 4.1% and participation is 54.3%, so compared with larger centres the sector mix is relatively narrow but locally important.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
607
Unemployed
25
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.8%
Part-time
31.1%
Participation
54.3%
Employed
582
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
14.8%
Postgraduate
2.5%
Born Overseas
7.0%
Dwellings
513
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-oriented: 72.3% of residents drive to work, compared with 11.0% who walk or cycle, while 11.0% work from home. That pattern matters across a 1,788.76 sq km locality because distance can shape access to jobs, shopping and services. One local school, Lake Cargelligo Central School, operates as a government Central/Community School; families should confirm enrolment zones and year-level availability before buying. Volunteering is recorded at 30.2%, which can reinforce local connections, while 6.8% need assistance. Compared with denser regional towns, the low density of 0.8 people per sq km brings space and quiet but makes private transport more important. A current local safety check is sensible because no comparable crime rate is stated.
Drive
72.3%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
11.0%
Work from Home
11.0%
Growth Outlook
Growth looks incremental rather than high-volume. Lake Cargelligo has 1,430 residents, 8 development applications in 12 months and a 14.4% turnover rate, while 85.6% of residents stayed at the same address. That retention can support continuity because demand is anchored by established households, but the small development pipeline limits evidence of rapid expansion. Compared with larger regional centres, the town's trajectory is more dependent on local services, agriculture and occasional project activity. No annual forecast percentage, primary migration driver, gentrification score or shift trajectory is stated, so the 8-application pipeline is best treated as a current activity signal rather than a promise of population growth.
Population trend: Lachlan council area
Lake Cargelligo sits in the Lachlan council area. These are the council area's residents, not Lake Cargelligo's.
Residents 2025
6,118
Growth, 5 yr average
-0.3%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.0%
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 Lake Cargelligo compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Cargelligo a good suburb to live in?
Lake Cargelligo suits people who value detached housing, space and established connections. It has 1,430 residents, 91.4% separate houses and 30.2% volunteering, but 72.3% drive to work across a 1,788.76 sq km locality. Compared with denser centres, daily life is quieter and more car-dependent.
What is the median house price in Lake Cargelligo?
A current median house price is not available as a reliable local benchmark. Housing context includes 91.4% separate houses, 43.6% owned outright and a 15.8% vacancy rate. Compared with a single suburb-wide figure, recent local sales should be assessed by street, dwelling condition, land size and bedroom count.
What schools are in Lake Cargelligo?
Lake Cargelligo Central School is the local government Central/Community School. Families should check enrolment zones, year levels and transport for the exact address, as 1 local school means options are more concentrated than in larger regional centres. The 72.3% driver share also makes school travel planning important.
Is Lake Cargelligo safe?
Crime safety should be checked through current local police and community sources before deciding, because a comparable crime rate is not stated. Practical context includes 1,430 residents, 85.6% residential stability and 30.2% volunteering. Compared with larger centres, the setting is smaller, but street-level conditions and travel patterns still matter.
Is Lake Cargelligo good for property investment?
Lake Cargelligo can suit a selective cash-flow investor, not a hands-off growth strategy. Rent is $170 a week and 30.9% of households rent, but vacancy is 15.8%, which is higher than a tight market and can lengthen leasing periods. Only 8 development applications were lodged in 12 months. Compared with lower-vacancy towns, returns depend heavily on purchase price, condition and tenant demand.
How is Lake Cargelligo's population changing?
Population change appears steady rather than rapid. Lake Cargelligo has 1,430 residents, with 85.6% staying at the same address and 14.4% turnover. The 8 development applications in 12 months indicate some activity, but not a large construction pipeline. Compared with larger regional centres, future change is likely to be shaped by education, agriculture and healthcare jobs.
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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