NSW 2845 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Wallerawang

At $532,800, the median house price in Wallerawang sits well below the NSW state average, making it one of the more affordable entry points in the Central Tablelands. What sets the suburb apart is its employment base: Mining accounts for 11.9% of local workers, a sector that rarely appears at this weight outside resource corridors, while Healthcare leads at 16.6%. The population of 2,019 is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, with only 7.6% born overseas, which is 14.0 percentage points below the national figure. Nearly 94% of dwellings are separate houses, and outright owners make up 35.8% of households, suggesting a settled, working-class owner-occupier community rather than a transient rental market.

Wallerawang urban fabric map

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

16

Median House

$533K

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

67.07 km²· 30.1 people/km²· Family income $1,947/wk

The median house price of $532,800 is a material discount compared to broader NSW markets. Price data shows a move from $540,000 in 2024 to $510,000 in 2025, a 5.6% decline in one year, so buyers are entering at a lower price point than the prior peak. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 24.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning most borrowers here are not financially stretched. Separate houses dominate at 94.1% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes at 45.3% and 4-plus bedroom at 39.3%, so the market suits families seeking space rather than apartment buyers. Only 0.5% of dwellings are apartments, giving buyers a straightforward freestanding-house market.

For Buyers

The median house price of $532,800 is a material discount compared to broader NSW markets. Price data shows a move from $540,000 in 2024 to $510,000 in 2025, a 5.6% decline in one year, so buyers are entering at a lower price point than the prior peak. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 24.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning most borrowers here are not financially stretched. Separate houses dominate at 94.1% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes at 45.3% and 4-plus bedroom at 39.3%, so the market suits families seeking space rather than apartment buyers. Only 0.5% of dwellings are apartments, giving buyers a straightforward freestanding-house market.

For Investors

The rental market is thin but not negligible: 26.0% of dwellings are rented at a median of $275 per week, which against the $532,800 median implies a gross yield around 2.7%, higher than most capital-city suburbs. However, the vacancy rate of 9.3% is elevated, suggesting more rental supply than current demand can absorb. Development activity shows 15 applications lodged in the past 12 months, including secondary dwelling and residential construction, which indicates gradual organic expansion. The employment base in Mining (11.9%) and Healthcare (16.6%) creates wage-income stability for tenants, but the total population of 2,019 is small, so the investor pool is limited compared to regional centres. Investors should weigh the yield premium against the high vacancy and shallow market depth.

Development Activity

Total DAs

105

Last 12 Months

16

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+6.7%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
6
Commercial / Industrial
6
Renovation / Extension
5
New Dwelling
5
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
4
Change of Use
3
Demolition
1
Subdivision
1

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

Wallerawang Public School

ICSEA 909 Primary Government

K-6 · 186 students

Demographics

The median age of 39 is close to the national figure, approximately 1.0 year below the national median. The overseas-born share of 7.6% is 14.0 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly Anglo-Celtic ancestry: English (910 residents), Scottish (242), and Irish (226) lead the ancestry count. University qualifications reach just 13.9%, which is 16.2 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with a trade and blue-collar workforce. Average household size of 2.6 is 0.1 above the national figure, and couples with children represent the largest family type at 702 households. Labour force participation is 53.2%, with 65.7% of employed residents working full-time. The volunteering rate of 13.4% and a 7.2% share requiring daily assistance suggest a community with moderate social engagement and some care needs.

Age Distribution

0-14
21.4%
15-24
11.1%
25-44
23.0%
45-64
26.1%
65+
18.0%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.6%
2 bed
13.7%
3 bed
45.3%
4+ bed
39.3%

Dwelling Structure

94.1%

Houses

3.6%

Townhouse

0.5%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 35.8% Mortgage 38.2% Rent 26.0%

The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 94.1%, with semi-detached at 3.6% and apartments at just 0.5%. The bedroom split skews large: 45.3% are 3-bedroom and 39.3% are 4-plus bedroom, while 2-bedroom homes account for only 13.7%. Tenure is broadly split: 35.8% own outright, 38.2% carry a mortgage, and 26.0% rent, a distribution that leans more toward ownership than the national average. The median house price declined from $540,000 in 2024 to $510,000 in 2025, a 5.6% fall, placing Wallerawang on a downward trend over the measured period. Rent-to-income at 19.3% and mortgage-to-income at 24.6% are both below stress thresholds, which means current residents are generally managing housing costs without pressure.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,517

Rent / wk

$275

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

English
910
Scottish
242
Irish
226
Other
98
Ancestry NS
93
German
76

Household Composition

24.6%

Couples, no children

1,604

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the largest employer at 16.6% of workers (84 people), followed by Mining at 11.9% (60), Public Admin at 11.7% (59), Education at 10.1% (51), and Construction at 6.9% (35). By occupation, Community and Personal Services leads at 143, followed by Machinery and Drivers at 125, Clerical and Admin at 116, Managers at 90, and Labourers at 87. The unemployment rate is 5.7%, above the national average, and the labour force participation rate of 53.2% is relatively low, with 604 residents not in the workforce. Personal weekly income averages $666 and household weekly income $1,424, placing households at the 42nd percentile nationally. The Mining share is notable for a suburb of this size, likely tied to the nearby coal and resources sector in the Central Tablelands.

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

Full-time

65.7%

Part-time

28.6%

Participation

53.2%

Employed

793

Occupations

Community/Personal 143
Machinery/Drivers 125
Clerical/Admin 116
Managers 90
Labourers 87
Professionals 83
Sales 58

Top Industries

Healthcare 16.6%
Mining 11.9%
Public Admin 11.7%
Education 10.1%
Construction 6.9%

University

13.9%

Postgraduate

2.4%

Born Overseas

7.6%

Dwellings

743

Transport to Work

Car dependence is high, with 91.7% of workers driving to work, which is typical for a regional NSW town where public transport options are limited. Walking or cycling accounts for 3.0% of commutes. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary data, so families likely rely on facilities in nearby Lithgow. The rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% is below the 30% stress threshold, keeping housing costs manageable for renters compared to most NSW suburban markets. Crime data is not available for Wallerawang in this dataset. The volunteering rate of 13.4% and the average household size of 2.6 point to a family-oriented community where stability is valued, consistent with an 85.3% stay rate and strong owner-occupier base.

Drive

91.7%

Public Transport

N/A

Walk / Cycle

3.0%

Work from Home

N/A

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

How Wallerawang compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 22%
Household Income
Bottom 42%
Rent Level
Top 47%
Apartments
Bottom 10%
Renters
Top 36%
Uni Educated
Bottom 15%
Born Overseas
Bottom 18%
Density
Top 33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wallerawang a good suburb to live in?

Wallerawang offers affordable housing at a $532,800 median and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.6%, below the 30% stress threshold. Car dependency is high at 91.7%, and the area suits owner-occupier families who value space, with 94.1% of dwellings being separate houses and a strong 85.3% stay rate. Services typical of small towns apply.

What is the median house price in Wallerawang?

The median house price is $532,800 as of the 2024-2025 period. Prices fell 5.6% from $540,000 in 2024 to $510,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $275 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $1,517, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.6%.

What schools are in Wallerawang?

No schools are recorded inside the Wallerawang suburb boundary in this dataset. Families in the area typically access schools in the nearby Lithgow region. University qualifications in Wallerawang reach 13.9%, which is 16.2 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the trade-based workforce.

Is Wallerawang safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Wallerawang in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb has an 85.3% stay rate and a community where 13.4% of residents volunteer, suggesting a stable and engaged population. The small population of 2,019 residents is consistent with a low-turnover country town.

Is Wallerawang good for property investment?

Gross rental yield is approximately 2.7% based on $275 weekly rent against a $532,800 median, higher than most capital-city suburbs. However, the vacancy rate of 9.3% is elevated and the population of 2,019 limits the tenant pool. Prices fell 5.6% from 2024 to 2025, so capital growth is not currently supported by the data.

How is Wallerawang's population changing?

The current population is 2,019. The stay rate of 85.3% indicates low mobility, typical of stable regional towns. Development activity shows 15 applications over the past 12 months, including new residential and secondary dwellings, pointing to organic rather than rapid growth. Price data and low turnover suggest the suburb is not in a growth phase.

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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