Parkes
Parkes combines a population of 11,324 with a 983.11 sq km footprint, producing a low density of 11.5 people per sq km. Its housing stock is dominated by separate houses at 88.9%, while vacancy reaches 11.6%, well above the tight conditions seen in many city markets. The median age is 39, one year below the national comparison, and household income sits at the 40.3 percentile. Compared with nearby Forbes, Parkes presents a distinct service-centre profile, supported by healthcare at 15.7%, public administration at 12.2% and education at 12.0%. Forecast growth of 9.64% annually makes it an unusually active regional market.
Local council: Parkes
Population
11,324
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,401/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
130
Homebuyers in Parkes are choosing a predominantly detached-house market, with separate houses accounting for 88.9% of dwellings and 3-bedroom homes representing 43.5%. Larger households also have meaningful choice, as 4-bedroom or bigger properties make up 37.4%. A monthly mortgage of $1,300 compares favourably with weekly household income of $1,401, while the mortgage-to-income measure is 21.4%, indicating limited measured stress. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, Parkes provides more land-based housing and family-sized stock, although buyers should allow for a low-density lifestyle and strong reliance on cars.
For Buyers
Homebuyers in Parkes are choosing a predominantly detached-house market, with separate houses accounting for 88.9% of dwellings and 3-bedroom homes representing 43.5%. Larger households also have meaningful choice, as 4-bedroom or bigger properties make up 37.4%. A monthly mortgage of $1,300 compares favourably with weekly household income of $1,401, while the mortgage-to-income measure is 21.4%, indicating limited measured stress. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, Parkes provides more land-based housing and family-sized stock, although buyers should allow for a low-density lifestyle and strong reliance on cars.
For Investors
Parkes offers investors a mixed rental proposition. Renting accounts for 29.7% of occupied dwellings and the median weekly rent is $260, creating an accessible price point for tenants, but the 11.6% vacancy rate is high compared with tighter rental markets and may place pressure on rental growth. Development activity is substantial, with 134 applications recorded over 12 months, so new supply should be monitored when assessing individual streets and property types. The forecast trend is 9.64% annually and is driven by internal migration, which is more positive than the outlook in many slower regional locations. Separate houses make up 88.9% of stock, supporting demand for conventional family rentals.
Development Activity
Total DAs
736
Last 12 Months
130
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+31.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Parkes
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Parkes has a median age of 39, one year below the national comparison, and an average household size of 2.4 people, only 0.1 below the national figure. The population is predominantly Australian-born, with 6.4% born overseas, 15.2 percentage points below the national comparison, while university participation is 18.9%, 11.2 points lower nationally. English ancestry is recorded for 4,660 people, followed by Irish at 1,200 and Scottish at 961. Christianity counts 7,143 people compared with 3,131 reporting no religion. Compared with more migrant-diverse regional centres, Parkes has a more established Anglo-Celtic profile, while 81.3% of residents staying at the same address supports neighbourhood continuity.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.9%
Houses
4.0%
Townhouse
6.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Parkes has a stable but varied tenure pattern, with 34.5% of dwellings owned outright, 33.4% owned with a mortgage and 29.7% rented. Compared with apartment-heavy urban markets, its housing form is notably detached, with 88.9% separate houses, 6.6% apartments and 4.0% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 43.5% of stock and homes with 4 or more bedrooms account for 37.4%, matching the needs of families and trade-based households. The $260 weekly rent represents 18.6% of household income, while the $1,300 monthly mortgage equates to 21.4%, so measured housing stress is lower than in many high-cost markets.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $260.
$430
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $450 · units $340
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$731
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.6%
Unoccupied
563
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.3%
Couples with children
41.3%
Couples, no children
19.0%
Single parent
2,924
Total families
Economy & Employment
Parkes has a broad regional employment base, led by healthcare at 15.7% or 480 workers, public administration at 12.2% or 373, education at 12.0% or 368, mining at 11.4% or 349 and construction at 7.2% or 221. The occupational mix includes 785 professionals, 729 trades workers, 616 managers and 606 machinery or driver roles. Unemployment is 4.9% and participation is 58.5%, while 64.0% of employed residents work full time. Compared with higher-decile communities, socioeconomic disadvantage remains pronounced: IEO is decile 2, IER decile 3, IRSD decile 2 and IRSAD decile 2. This suggests that a solid service and industrial base does not translate evenly into household education, income or advantage.
Unemployment
4.9%
Labour Force
5,258
Unemployed
258
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.0%
Part-time
30.2%
Participation
58.5%
Employed
5,000
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.9%
Postgraduate
3.2%
Born Overseas
6.4%
Dwellings
4,248
Transport to Work
Parkes is practical for residents who drive, with 78.9% travelling as car drivers, compared with just 0.3% using public transport and 4.7% walking or cycling. Four nearby government schools provide access across the main age groups, comprising 3 primary schools and 1 secondary school; families should confirm enrolment zones against the exact address. Community participation is relatively strong, with volunteering at 17.9%, while 7.8% of residents report needing assistance. Compared with transit-rich urban suburbs, Parkes offers more space and lower-density living but requires greater car dependence. Its IRSAD decile of 2 is below the national midpoint, so access to services, employment and support networks should be considered alongside housing affordability.
Drive
78.9%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
4.7%
Work from Home
9.4%
Growth Outlook
Parkes has one of the strongest growth signals in its regional setting. The forecast trend is 9.64% annual growth, with internal migration identified as the primary driver, indicating that the town is attracting people from elsewhere rather than relying only on existing household turnover. The area is classified as greenfield and recorded 134 development applications over 12 months, including new dwellings, dual occupancy and alterations. Compared with mature regional towns where construction activity is limited, this combination points to a more active housing cycle. At a current population of 11,324, additional supply and infrastructure coordination will matter because sustained internal migration can increase pressure on services even when vacancy remains at 11.6%.
Population trend: Parkes council area
Parkes sits in the Parkes council area. These are the council area's residents, not Parkes's.
Residents 2025
14,175
Growth, 5 yr average
-0.7%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
-0.4%
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 Parkes compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parkes a good suburb to live in?
Parkes can suit households seeking regional space, established services and detached housing. The population is 11,324, separate houses make up 88.9% of dwellings and 78.9% of commuters drive, so it is better suited to car-oriented living than transit-based lifestyles. Compared with denser city suburbs, housing choice is more land-focused and daily travel is generally less urban.
What is the median house price in Parkes?
A single current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales because results can vary by street, land size and dwelling condition. Parkes is 88.9% separate houses, and the median weekly rent is $260, so buyers should compare house-only sales rather than mixing apartments and other property types into the calculation.
What schools are in Parkes?
Parkes has 4 government schools covering primary and secondary education. The primary options are Middleton Public School, Parkes East Public School and Parkes Public School, while Parkes High School serves secondary students. Families should confirm the relevant enrolment zone and year-level availability for an exact address.
Is Parkes safe?
A definitive safety judgement should rely on current incident information and local conditions rather than suburb assumptions. Parkes has 11,324 residents spread across 983.11 sq km, so experiences can differ between central areas, residential streets and more remote parts of the locality. Check recent NSW Police information and visit prospective streets at different times.
Is Parkes good for property investment?
Parkes has potential for investors who understand regional vacancy risk. Renting represents 29.7% of occupied dwellings, weekly rent is $260 and vacancy is 11.6%, which is higher than in tighter markets. There were 134 development applications over 12 months, while forecast growth is 9.64% annually and driven by internal migration, supporting demand but also adding future supply.
How is Parkes's population changing?
Parkes currently has 11,324 residents and the forecast trend is 9.64% annual growth, with internal migration listed as the primary driver. Development activity reached 134 applications over 12 months, indicating an active expansion cycle. Compared with slower regional towns, this points to stronger momentum, although infrastructure and housing delivery will influence how comfortably growth is absorbed.
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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