NSW 2358 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Uralla

With a median age of 46, Uralla sits 6 years above the national figure, making it one of the more senior-skewed towns in regional NSW. The median house price of $456,500 sits well below metropolitan benchmarks, yet household income falls in just the 21.9th percentile nationally, compressing real purchasing power. Education participation is modest, with university qualifications at 24.8%, roughly 5.3 percentage points below the national average. An 11.9% vacancy rate combined with an overwhelmingly detached housing stock (92% separate houses) signals a market where supply absorbs demand slowly, requiring careful timing for both buyers and investors.

Uralla urban fabric map

Population

2,728

Median Age

46.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,150/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

48

Median House

$456K

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

193.52 km²· 14.1 people/km²· Family income $1,462/wk

The median house price is $456,500, comfortably below the NSW state median for comparable rural centres. Price history shows movement from $430,000 in 2024 to $496,500 in 2025, a 15.5% rise over one year. Separate houses dominate at 92% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes accounting for 49.4% of stock and 4-plus bedroom homes at 29.7%, so larger family blocks are proportionally common. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,267, representing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4%, which stays below the 30% stress threshold. That affordability is notable compared to most coastal NSW markets, though household income in the 21.9th percentile nationally means actual debt servicing can still stretch budgets.

For Buyers

The median house price is $456,500, comfortably below the NSW state median for comparable rural centres. Price history shows movement from $430,000 in 2024 to $496,500 in 2025, a 15.5% rise over one year. Separate houses dominate at 92% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes accounting for 49.4% of stock and 4-plus bedroom homes at 29.7%, so larger family blocks are proportionally common. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,267, representing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4%, which stays below the 30% stress threshold. That affordability is notable compared to most coastal NSW markets, though household income in the 21.9th percentile nationally means actual debt servicing can still stretch budgets.

For Investors

Uralla's 26.1% renter share offers a smaller tenant pool than urban markets, and weekly rent sits at just $250, generating modest gross yields against the $456,500 median. The 11.9% vacancy rate is elevated, indicating supply outpaces demand and making extended vacancy a real risk. On the positive side, 41 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, reflecting continued local activity in construction and infrastructure. Price growth of 15.5% from 2024 to 2025 outpaced many coastal markets over the same interval, suggesting demand is firming. Investors relying on yield rather than capital growth should stress-test against the high vacancy rate and the $250 weekly rent ceiling before committing.

Development Activity

Total DAs

231

Last 12 Months

48

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+20.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
29
Renovation / Extension
22
Commercial / Industrial
14
New Dwelling
7
Subdivision
6
Change of Use
3
Demolition
2
Other
2

Schools in Uralla iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

St Joseph's Primary School

ICSEA 982 Primary Catholic

K-6 · 52 students

Rocky River Public School

ICSEA 963 Primary Government

K-6 · 39 students

Uralla Central School

ICSEA 901 Combined Government

K-12 · 264 students

Demographics

The median age of 46 is 6 years above the national figure, positioning Uralla firmly in the aging-resident category for regional NSW. Overseas-born residents make up just 7.1%, which is 14.5 percentage points below the national average, and ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, with English (1,225), Irish (393) and Scottish (298) the leading backgrounds. University qualifications at 24.8% are 5.3 points below national, reflecting a workforce shaped more by trades and community services than degree-level professions. Average household size is 2.3 persons, 0.2 below national, consistent with the older couples-without-children profile, where 33.6% of families are couples with no children.

Age Distribution

0-14
18.6%
15-24
9.3%
25-44
20.6%
45-64
26.9%
65+
25.0%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
4.7%
2 bed
16.2%
3 bed
49.4%
4+ bed
29.7%

Dwelling Structure

92.0%

Houses

4.7%

Townhouse

1.4%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 40.5% Mortgage 33.4% Rent 26.1%

Ownership patterns lean strongly toward outright ownership: 40.5% of households own their home without a mortgage, compared to 33.4% on a mortgage and 26.1% renting. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4% and rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% both remain below stress thresholds, making Uralla one of the more affordable rural markets by debt-service measures. Stock is 92% separate houses, with just 1.4% apartments and 4.7% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom homes account for 49.4% of the housing mix and 4-plus bedroom homes 29.7%, reflecting the town's rural and agricultural character. The 11.9% vacancy rate is the most significant constraint, sitting above levels typical of healthy regional rental markets.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,267

Rent / wk

$250

HH Size

2.3

Personal Income / wk

$628

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

11.9%

Unoccupied

150

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.7%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

25.4%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
1,225
Irish
393
Scottish
298
German
157
Other
115
Ancestry NS
108

Household Composition

33.6%

Couples, no children

2,070

Total families

Economy & Employment

The local economy centres on education (18.6% of employed residents, 146 workers) and healthcare (17.3%, 136 workers), which together account for more than a third of all jobs. Construction follows at 12.3% (97 workers), reflecting ongoing building activity supported by the 41 development applications lodged recently. Public administration employs 8.7% and hospitality 6.7%. By occupation, Professionals (179) and Clerical/Admin (160) lead, followed closely by Labourers (158) and Community/Personal workers (139). The unemployment rate is 6.2%, above the national rate, and full-time employment covers 58.9% of those in work. The participation rate of 51.1% is lower than national norms, partly because 912 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with an older population structure.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

58.9%

Part-time

34.9%

Participation

51.1%

Employed

1,066

Occupations

Professionals 179
Clerical/Admin 160
Labourers 158
Community/Personal 139
Managers 135
Machinery/Drivers 79
Sales 78

Top Industries

Education 18.6%
Healthcare 17.3%
Construction 12.3%
Public Admin 8.7%
Hospitality 6.7%

University

24.8%

Postgraduate

6.3%

Born Overseas

7.1%

Dwellings

1,105

Transport to Work

Car dependency is very high, with 88.5% of residents driving to work, compared to 5.9% who walked or cycled and just 0.4% using public transport. This is typical of towns where distances between services exceed walkable thresholds. The volunteering rate of 22.9% is notable, suggesting a high level of community engagement relative to national norms. Housing stress is low by both measures: rent-to-income at 21.7% and mortgage-to-income at 25.4% sit below the 30% stress threshold. About 9.2% of residents (239 people) require daily assistance, which is above average and reflects the older median age of 46. No schools are recorded in the dataset for the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in surrounding areas of Uralla Shire.

Drive

88.5%

Public Transport

0.4%

Walk / Cycle

5.9%

Work from Home

N/A

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Uralla compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 18%
Household Income
Bottom 22%
Rent Level
Bottom 44%
Apartments
Bottom 28%
Renters
Top 36%
Uni Educated
Top 48%
Public Transport
Bottom 3%
Born Overseas
Bottom 15%
Density
Top 40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Uralla a good suburb to live in?

Uralla suits residents who prioritise affordability and low housing stress, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4% and rent-to-income at 21.7%, both below stress thresholds. The town has a high volunteering rate of 22.9% and low turnover with 78.1% of residents staying put. The main trade-offs are limited public transport (just 0.4% usage) and household income in the 21.9th percentile nationally.

What is the median house price in Uralla?

The median house price is $456,500, rising 15.5% from $430,000 in 2024 to $496,500 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,267 and weekly rent sits at $250. The median is substantially lower than most coastal NSW markets, reflecting the town's regional and rural character.

What schools are in Uralla?

No schools are recorded within the Uralla suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on educational facilities across the broader Uralla Shire area. The town's workforce does include 146 education workers (18.6% of employed residents), suggesting local schooling infrastructure exists but falls outside the strict suburb boundary used here.

Is Uralla safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Uralla in this dataset. As contextual indicators, housing stress is low (mortgage-to-income 25.4%, rent-to-income 21.7%), residential turnover is modest at 21.9%, and 78.1% of residents remained in the same address over the survey period, suggesting a stable, settled community rather than a transient one.

Is Uralla good for property investment?

The 15.5% price rise from $430,000 to $496,500 between 2024 and 2025 is encouraging, but a vacancy rate of 11.9% and weekly rent of just $250 against a $456,500 median limit yield. The 26.1% renter share is moderate and the 41 development applications in 12 months show active local construction. Investors should weigh capital growth potential against elevated vacancy risk.

How is Uralla's population changing?

Uralla's current population is 2,728 across 193.5 square kilometres. Residential stability is high, with 78.1% of residents staying in the same address and a turnover rate of 21.9%. The median age of 46 is 6 years above national, pointing to an aging demographic trajectory. Labour force participation at 51.1% is below national norms, partly due to 912 residents not in the labour force.

How much development is happening in Uralla?

There were 41 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including depots, sheds and garages rather than large residential projects. Construction accounts for 12.3% of local employment (97 workers), above what the population size alone would suggest, indicating ongoing infrastructure and building activity across the Uralla Shire area.

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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