Peak Hill
At a median house price of $265,000 and a median age of 48, Peak Hill is one of central-western NSW's most affordable and older-skewing rural towns. Household income sits in just the 12.8th percentile nationally, explaining why housing affordability is strong even though the local economy is limited. Half of all dwellings are owned outright, well above national norms, a pattern typical of long-settled agricultural communities where debt has been paid down over decades. The overseas-born share of 6.0% is 15.6 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the predominantly Anglo-Celtic makeup common to the central-west.
Population
1,162
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$996/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
4
Median House
$265K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
At $265,000, the median house price is far below both the NSW state median and the national median, making Peak Hill one of the more accessible entry points in rural NSW. Monthly mortgage repayments average $814, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 18.9%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 92.8% of all dwellings, so buyers are almost exclusively purchasing detached homes. Three-bedroom homes account for 47.8% of stock and four-plus bedroom homes for 25.3%, giving families a workable range of sizes. The price history shows a move from $239,000 in 2024 to $475,000 in 2025 based on available PSI data, though the small transaction volume means these figures should be treated with caution.
For Buyers
At $265,000, the median house price is far below both the NSW state median and the national median, making Peak Hill one of the more accessible entry points in rural NSW. Monthly mortgage repayments average $814, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 18.9%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 92.8% of all dwellings, so buyers are almost exclusively purchasing detached homes. Three-bedroom homes account for 47.8% of stock and four-plus bedroom homes for 25.3%, giving families a workable range of sizes. The price history shows a move from $239,000 in 2024 to $475,000 in 2025 based on available PSI data, though the small transaction volume means these figures should be treated with caution.
For Investors
The rental yield picture is mixed. Weekly rent of $185 against a $265,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.6%, higher than many coastal markets but tempered by a vacancy rate of 13.9%, which is elevated compared to the national average and signals thin rental demand relative to supply. Only 29.8% of residents rent, a lower share than state and national averages, because the high outright-ownership rate of 50.1% means fewer people cycle through rental accommodation. Development activity is very low, with just 4 applications lodged in the past 12 months, consistent with a market that sees little new construction pressure. Investors should weigh the affordable entry cost against thin liquidity and the high vacancy rate before committing.
Development Activity
Total DAs
32
Last 12 Months
4
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 Peak Hill iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Joseph's Parish School
K-6 · 34 students
Peak Hill Central School
K-12 · 126 students
Demographics
The median age of 48 is 8.0 years above the national figure, placing Peak Hill firmly in the older end of the NSW rural spectrum. The overseas-born share of 6.0% is 15.6 percentage points below national, and the ancestry mix is predominantly English (427 residents), Scottish (105) and Irish (81), reflecting the Anglo-Celtic heritage typical of central-western agricultural towns. University qualifications reach only 17.8%, which is 12.3 percentage points below the national rate, consistent with an economy built on agriculture, healthcare and trade rather than professional services. Average household size is 2.2, slightly below the national figure of 2.5. Couples with no children (231 households, 30.4%) match couples with children (228 households), a split that reflects the older resident base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.8%
Houses
3.6%
Townhouse
1.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright ownership at 50.1% is the standout tenure figure, more than double the renting share of 29.8% and well above national norms, because many residents have lived here long enough to pay off their mortgages. Only 20.1% carry a mortgage. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 92.8%, with semi-detached at 3.6% and apartments at just 1.6%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 47.8%, followed by four-plus bedroom at 25.3% and two-bedroom at 20.7%. Rent-to-income at 18.6% keeps renters comfortable relative to incomes, while the mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.9% sits below the stress threshold. Price movement from $239,000 in 2024 to $475,000 in 2025 in the PSI data represents a 98.7% nominal shift, though the limited sales volume makes this figure volatile.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$814
Rent / wk
$185
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$503
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.9%
Unoccupied
73
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.4%
Couples, no children
759
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 25.9% (58 workers), closely followed by Agriculture at 24.6% (55 workers), the two industries that define the economic character of Peak Hill and its surrounding district. Education contributes 14.7% (33 workers) and Mining 8.9% (20 workers), with Hospitality rounding out the top five at 6.2%. By occupation, Managers are the largest group at 116, reflecting the farm-operator and small-business owner structure common in agricultural regions. The unemployment rate of 10.4% is above national averages, and the labour force participation rate of 42.8% is low, largely because the older age profile means 383 residents are not in the labour force. Personal weekly income of $503 is well below national medians, placing household incomes in the bottom 12.8th percentile nationally.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.6%
Part-time
22.0%
Participation
42.8%
Employed
361
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.8%
Postgraduate
1.8%
Born Overseas
6.0%
Dwellings
443
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 84.6% of residents driving to work, which is above national averages and reflects the lack of public transport options typical of rural NSW towns. Notably, 10.6% of residents walk or cycle, a meaningful share for a town of this size. No schools are recorded in the dataset for Peak Hill itself. The volunteering rate of 23.1% is above average and signals strong community participation for a town of 1,162 people. Housing stress is low: mortgage-to-income at 18.9% and rent-to-income at 18.6% both sit comfortably below the 30% threshold, so residents are not financially stretched on accommodation costs. About 9.7% of residents (96 people) need daily assistance, consistent with the older median age of 48.
Drive
84.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
10.6%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Peak Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Peak Hill a good suburb to live in?
Peak Hill suits residents who value affordable housing and a stable, established community. The median house price is $265,000, and housing costs are low relative to incomes, with mortgage-to-income at 18.9% and rent-to-income at 18.6%. The trade-off is limited employment diversity, a 10.4% unemployment rate and car dependence for most trips.
What is the median house price in Peak Hill?
The median house price is $265,000 based on PSI-derived data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $814, and weekly rent averages $185. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.9% is well below the 30% stress threshold, making Peak Hill one of the more affordable entry points in rural NSW.
What schools are in Peak Hill?
No schools are recorded inside the Peak Hill boundary in this dataset. Families typically rely on schools in nearby regional centres. The local university qualification rate is 17.8%, which is 12.3 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the area's trade and agricultural employment base.
Is Peak Hill safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Peak Hill in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, housing stress is low, with mortgage-to-income at 18.9% and rent-to-income at 18.6%, both below the 30% threshold. The community has a high residential stability rate of 83.4%, suggesting a settled, low-turnover population.
Is Peak Hill good for property investment?
Peak Hill offers a low entry cost of $265,000 and a gross yield of around 3.6% based on $185 weekly rent. However, the vacancy rate of 13.9% is elevated compared to national norms, and the rental pool is thin at 29.8% of residents renting. Low liquidity and minimal development activity (4 approvals in 12 months) add risk.
How is Peak Hill's population changing?
Peak Hill has a population of 1,162 with a residential stability rate of 83.4%, meaning most residents stay put. Development is minimal, with just 4 applications in 12 months. The median age of 48 is 8 years above the national figure, and the low participation rate of 42.8% suggests a community that is aging and contracting rather than growing.
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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