Warialda
At 51, Warialda has a markedly older profile than Australia, with median age 11 years above the national figure, while 82.5% of residents stayed at the same address. Its 1,480 residents are spread across 1,196.86 sq km, producing a density of 1.2 people per sq km. Housing is overwhelmingly detached at 96.0%, and the 10.6% vacancy rate is material in a small market, where 21.2% of dwellings are rented compared with 51.9% owned outright. Compared with nearby Bingara and Inverell, Warialda sits in a more dispersed rural setting. Healthcare at 18.6%, education at 16.8% and agriculture at 16.1% are central to local employment, while household income sits at the 11.5th national percentile.
Local council: Gwydir
Population
1,480
Median Age
51.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$964/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
18
Homebuyers will find a detached, low-density market rather than an apartment-led one: 96.0% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 1.7% apartments and 1.9% semi-detached homes. The common formats are 3-bedroom dwellings at 49.7% and 4 or more bedrooms at 28.3%, which suits households seeking space but may limit compact options. Mortgage costs average $1,000 a month, while mortgage commitments equal 24.0% of household income. That measure is almost the same as the 23.9% rent-to-income figure, suggesting neither tenure has a clear cost advantage on the available ratios. With 51.9% owning outright and household income at $964 weekly, Warialda may suit established buyers more than highly leveraged entrants. Income is at the 11.5th national percentile, so borrowing capacity may be more constrained than in higher-income markets.
For Buyers
Homebuyers will find a detached, low-density market rather than an apartment-led one: 96.0% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 1.7% apartments and 1.9% semi-detached homes. The common formats are 3-bedroom dwellings at 49.7% and 4 or more bedrooms at 28.3%, which suits households seeking space but may limit compact options. Mortgage costs average $1,000 a month, while mortgage commitments equal 24.0% of household income. That measure is almost the same as the 23.9% rent-to-income figure, suggesting neither tenure has a clear cost advantage on the available ratios. With 51.9% owning outright and household income at $964 weekly, Warialda may suit established buyers more than highly leveraged entrants. Income is at the 11.5th national percentile, so borrowing capacity may be more constrained than in higher-income markets.
For Investors
Warialda's investment case is shaped by low rents and a limited tenant pool. Weekly rent is $230 and 21.2% of dwellings are rented, compared with 51.9% owned outright and 23.5% mortgaged. The 10.6% vacancy rate is the key risk because available stock can take longer to absorb in a small market, even when entry rents are modest. Development activity reached 17 applications over 12 months, including a new dwelling, which suggests incremental additions rather than a large pipeline. Detached housing accounts for 96.0%, higher than the 1.7% apartment share, so rental demand is likely concentrated in houses. Investors should prioritise condition, tenant affordability and links to healthcare, education and agriculture because these are the largest employment sectors. The vacancy rate is higher than the renting share, so yield should be assessed alongside leasing speed rather than in isolation.
Development Activity
Total DAs
103
Last 12 Months
18
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 Warialda
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Warialda's median age of 51 is 11 years above the national figure, while university attainment at 16.6% is 13.5 percentage points below the national level. Only 4.5% of residents were born overseas, 17.1 points below the national comparison, giving the suburb a predominantly Anglo-Australian profile reflected in English ancestry at 613 people, followed by Scottish at 158 and Irish at 132. Average household size is 2.2, or 0.3 below the national figure, consistent with 48.9% of families being couples without children and 32.5% couples with children. Christianity counts 954 people versus 392 reporting no religion. The older age structure and low overseas-born share help explain the settled 82.5% same-address rate, while 24.3% volunteering points to substantial community participation.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.0%
Houses
1.9%
Townhouse
1.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Warialda's housing stock is strongly detached: separate houses make up 96.0%, while apartments account for 1.7% and semi-detached dwellings 1.9%. Compared with renting, outright ownership is more common at 51.9%, while 23.5% carry a mortgage and 21.2% rent. The dwelling mix centres on 3-bedroom homes at 49.7%, with 28.3% containing 4 or more bedrooms, so larger households have more choice than singles seeking compact stock. Average mortgage payments are $1,000 monthly against household income of $964 weekly, and the mortgage-to-income measure is 24.0%, close to the 23.9% rent-to-income figure. The 10.6% vacancy rate is higher than the renting share, which can create choice for tenants but signals a less tightly held market. For buyers, the 51.9% outright ownership rate indicates a substantial established-owner base.
Mortgage / mo
$1,000
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$230
Census 2021
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$515
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.6%
Unoccupied
70
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.0%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.5%
Couples with children
48.9%
Couples, no children
17.7%
Single parent
378
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is anchored by healthcare at 18.6% of jobs, education at 16.8% and agriculture at 16.1%, followed by construction at 8.7% and public administration at 8.4%. Healthcare's share is higher than education's, while the mix spans essential services, farming and trades, reducing reliance on a single employer type. The labour force totals 585 people, with 336 employed full time and 179 part time; the full-time rate is 60.6% and unemployment is 5.3% from 31 people. Participation is 47.5%, while 562 residents are outside the labour force, consistent with the median age of 51 being higher than the national figure by 11 years. Occupations are led by managers at 99, professionals at 75 and trades at 74. Household income sits at the 11.5th national percentile, so local spending power is lower than the national norm even where employment is stable.
Unemployment
5.3%
Labour Force
585
Unemployed
31
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.6%
Part-time
32.3%
Participation
47.5%
Employed
554
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.6%
Postgraduate
1.7%
Born Overseas
4.5%
Dwellings
593
Transport to Work
Warialda suits residents comfortable with a car-oriented rural layout. 72.5% of people drive a car to work, compared with 7.1% who walk or cycle, while 15.0% work from home. That pattern reflects long distances across a 1,196.86 sq km area and makes reliable vehicle access more important than frequent public transport. Two local government schools cover primary and secondary years, providing basic on-town access, but families should confirm enrolment zones against the exact address. Community participation is a relative strength, with volunteering at 24.3%, higher than the 17.5% residential turnover rate. Safety should be assessed through current local crime information rather than inferred from the 1.2 people per sq km density. With 1,480 residents, services are likely to be more concentrated than in a larger regional centre.
Drive
72.5%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
7.1%
Work from Home
15.0%
Growth Outlook
Warialda's current growth pattern looks more settled than expansionary: 82.5% of residents stayed at the same address, while residential turnover was 17.5%. The suburb has 1,480 residents across 1,196.86 sq km, so changes in housing and services are likely to be gradual rather than concentrated. Development activity recorded 17 applications in 12 months, including 1 new dwelling in the examples, indicating modest construction rather than a major release programme. The 10.6% vacancy rate is higher than the 21.2% renting share, which may soften pressure for rapid new rental supply. Compared with a high-turnover market, the median age of 51 and volunteering rate of 24.3% point to a stable civic base. Future momentum will depend on maintaining jobs in healthcare, education and agriculture, which are the suburb's three largest industries.
Population trend: Gwydir council area
Warialda sits in the Gwydir council area. These are the council area's residents, not Warialda's.
Residents 2025
4,968
Growth, 5 yr average
-0.2%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.0%
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 Warialda compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Warialda a good suburb to live in?
Warialda can suit buyers who value space, quieter streets and a settled rural setting. The median age is 51, 82.5% stayed at the same address, and 72.5% drive to work, so it is better suited to people comfortable with an older, car-oriented community than to residents seeking dense public transport.
What is the median house price in Warialda?
A single current median should not be assumed for Warialda. The market is 96.0% separate houses, with 49.7% 3-bedroom dwellings and weekly rent of $230. Compare recent settled sales by condition, land size and bedroom count, because a small rural market can produce a wide spread around any suburb-level median.
What schools are in Warialda?
Warialda has 2 government schools: Warialda Public School for primary students and Warialda High School for secondary students. Families should confirm enrolment boundaries and transport arrangements for the exact address, particularly across a 1,196.86 sq km suburb where travel distances can vary.
Is Warialda safe?
Warialda's low density of 1.2 people per sq km and 72.5% car-driver share describe its setting, not its crime level. For a safety decision, review current local police information and inspect the street at different times. Avoid treating a small population of 1,480 as proof that every area has the same conditions.
Is Warialda good for property investment?
Warialda may suit an investor seeking a low-rent detached market, but returns are not automatic. Weekly rent is $230, renting is 21.2%, and vacancy is 10.6%, while outright ownership is 51.9%. The 17 development applications in 12 months also warrant checks on future competing supply and likely leasing periods.
How is Warialda's population changing?
Warialda's population profile currently looks stable rather than fast-changing: 82.5% of residents stayed at the same address and turnover was 17.5%. The suburb has 1,480 residents, a median age of 51 and 15.0% working from home. Compared with a younger, higher-turnover market, future demand is more likely to depend on local jobs and services than on rapid household churn.
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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