Wallerawang
Detached homes and a relatively open settlement pattern shape Wallerawang more than apartment living. The suburb has 2,019 residents across 67.07 sq km, or 30.1 people per sq km, while 94.1% of dwellings are separate houses. Its median age of 39 is 1.0 year below the national comparison, and university attainment at 13.9% is 16.2 percentage points below national. Compared with nearby Lithgow and Portland, Wallerawang reads as smaller, quieter and more car-oriented because 82.3% of commuters drive. Household income sits at the 42nd percentile, so affordability and local employment matter alongside the space offered by mostly 3 and 4 or more bedroom homes.
Local council: Lithgow
Population
2,019
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,424/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
9
Homebuyers are choosing from a strongly detached housing pattern: 94.1% of homes are separate houses, with 45.3% containing 3 bedrooms and 39.3% containing 4 or more. That mix suits families and space-seeking buyers because average household size is 2.6, while 37.7% of households are paying a mortgage and 35.3% own outright. Monthly mortgage commitments average $1,517 and equal 24.6% of household income, a level not flagged as mortgage stress. Weekly rent is $275, making the suburb relevant to buyers comparing renting with ownership. Compared with apartment-oriented parts of the Lithgow region, buyers should expect fewer unit choices and more reliance on cars for inspections, schools and services.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing from a strongly detached housing pattern: 94.1% of homes are separate houses, with 45.3% containing 3 bedrooms and 39.3% containing 4 or more. That mix suits families and space-seeking buyers because average household size is 2.6, while 37.7% of households are paying a mortgage and 35.3% own outright. Monthly mortgage commitments average $1,517 and equal 24.6% of household income, a level not flagged as mortgage stress. Weekly rent is $275, making the suburb relevant to buyers comparing renting with ownership. Compared with apartment-oriented parts of the Lithgow region, buyers should expect fewer unit choices and more reliance on cars for inspections, schools and services.
For Investors
Rental investors face a small but visible tenant base: 25.6% of households rent, with weekly rent at $275 and a vacancy rate of 9.3%. The vacancy figure is higher than a tightly supplied market, so achievable rent and leasing time should be tested carefully rather than assumed. Eight development applications in 12 months point to ongoing small-scale activity, including at least 1 new dwelling in recent approvals, but not a large apartment pipeline. Demand has a practical employment base because healthcare accounts for 16.6% of jobs, mining 11.9% and public administration 11.7%. Compared with a higher-density investment market, Wallerawang's 94.1% separate-house share means maintenance and land exposure are more important than unit amenity.
Development Activity
Total DAs
108
Last 12 Months
9
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-55.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Wallerawang
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Wallerawang has a slightly younger age profile than the national comparison: median age is 39, or 1.0 year below national, while 13.9% of residents have university qualifications, 16.2 percentage points below national. Overseas-born residents account for 7.6%, 14.0 points below national, helping explain the strongly English, Scottish and Irish ancestry pattern of 910, 242 and 226 people respectively. Christianity is recorded for 1,036 residents and no religion for 833. Population stability is notable because 85.3% stayed at the same address, against a 14.7% turnover rate. Compared with more migrant-oriented regional centres, Wallerawang is less internationally diverse and more settled in household composition.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.1%
Houses
3.6%
Townhouse
0.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is overwhelmingly low-rise and owner-occupied or mortgaged. Separate houses make up 94.1% of dwellings, compared with 0.5% apartments and 3.6% semi-detached homes. Tenure is split between 35.3% owned outright, 37.7% with a mortgage and 25.6% rented, a pattern that gives buyers a substantial foothold while preserving a rental segment. The bedroom mix leans spacious: 45.3% are 3-bedroom homes and 39.3% have 4 or more bedrooms. Mortgage costs average $1,517 per month, or 24.6% of household income, while rent averages $275 weekly and equals 19.3% of income. Compared with apartment-heavy suburbs, land, upkeep and car access matter more than strata facilities because density is only 30.1 people per sq km.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$275
Census 2021
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$666
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.3%
Unoccupied
77
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
42.6%
Couples with children
37.0%
Couples, no children
19.1%
Single parent
538
Total families
Economy & Employment
Local employment is anchored by services and resource-linked work. Healthcare is the largest industry at 16.6% and 84 workers, followed by mining at 11.9% and 60, public administration at 11.7% and 59, education at 10.1% and 51, and construction at 6.9% and 35. The occupation mix reinforces this base, led by trades at 157, community and personal services at 143, machinery and drivers at 125, clerical and administration at 116, and managers at 90. Participation is 57.5%, unemployment 5.3% and full-time employment 60.5%, so household resilience depends on both stable local services and commuting options. Household income of $1,424 per week sits at the 42nd percentile, below the national median position, which can limit price growth compared with higher-income markets.
Unemployment
5.3%
Labour Force
909
Unemployed
48
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.5%
Part-time
31.6%
Participation
57.5%
Employed
861
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.9%
Postgraduate
2.4%
Born Overseas
7.6%
Dwellings
743
Transport to Work
Daily life is practical but strongly car-dependent. About 82.3% of commuters drive, compared with 2.7% who walk or cycle, while 10.2% work from home. That pattern reflects a low density of 30.1 people per sq km across 67.07 sq km, where services and schools are more spread out than in compact centres. Local school access is centred on 1 government primary school, Wallerawang Public School; families should check enrolment zones and secondary options against the exact address. Community participation is supported by a 13.4% volunteering rate, and 7.2% of residents report needing assistance. Compared with denser suburbs, the setting gives more space but requires planning for driving, appointments and school travel.
Drive
82.3%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
10.2%
Growth Outlook
Growth is more likely to arrive through incremental housing and service demand than a sudden change in settlement form. Wallerawang has 2,019 residents spread across 67.07 sq km, with density of 30.1 people per sq km, and 8 development applications recorded over 12 months. One recent approval includes 1 new dwelling, while other activity centres on houses, garages, carports and earthworks. That pattern supports gradual infill because the existing base is detached and 85.3% of residents stayed at the same address, against 14.7% turnover. Compared with denser regional corridors, the suburb's growth story is likely to be steadier and land-led, so buyers should check infrastructure capacity and planning changes before assuming rapid uplift.
Population trend: Lithgow council area
Wallerawang sits in the Lithgow council area. These are the council area's residents, not Wallerawang's.
Residents 2025
20,693
Growth, 5 yr average
-0.3%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
-0.5%
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 Wallerawang compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wallerawang a good suburb to live in?
Wallerawang can suit households wanting space, detached housing and a quieter setting. There are 2,019 residents, 94.1% separate houses and a 10.2% work-from-home share. The trade-off is transport, as 82.3% of commuters drive and only 2.7% walk or cycle, so access to services depends heavily on a car.
What is the median house price in Wallerawang?
A current median should be checked against recent settled sales because 94.1% of Wallerawang homes are separate houses and 45.3% have 3 bedrooms. Weekly rent is $275, which helps compare likely ownership costs with renting, but it should not replace a current sale-price measure for a specific street or property type.
What schools are in Wallerawang?
Families in Wallerawang have access to 1 government primary school, Wallerawang Public School. Parents seeking secondary schooling or specialist programs should check current enrolment zones, transport arrangements and available options against the exact address, since school access can extend beyond the suburb boundary.
Is Wallerawang safe?
Safety is best assessed using current NSW Police incidents per 1,000 residents, alongside an inspection of the exact street at different times. Wallerawang has 2,019 residents across 67.07 sq km, so local conditions can vary across a spread-out area. Buyers and renters should also ask agents about lighting, access and nearby activity.
Is Wallerawang good for property investment?
Wallerawang may suit investors seeking detached housing with a local employment base, but the 9.3% vacancy rate calls for careful rental research. Rents average $275 weekly, 25.6% of households rent, and 8 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Healthcare, mining and public administration are key demand sources.
How is Wallerawang's population changing?
Wallerawang has 2,019 residents and appears relatively settled, with 85.3% staying at the same address compared with 14.7% turnover. Eight development applications over 12 months point to incremental change, including 1 new dwelling in recent approvals. The pattern is more consistent with gradual infill than a rapid population shift.
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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