NSW 2824 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Warren

With 1,272 residents across 239 square kilometres, Warren is a low-density farming hub where the $247,000 median house price sits well below the national average and outright ownership at 44.9% is high. The suburb scores decile 3 on both IRSD and IRSAD, placing it among more disadvantaged communities nationally, yet mortgage-to-income at 19.7% shows no stress. Agriculture drives nearly one in five jobs, and the median age of 45 is five years above the national figure. A vacancy rate of 18.2% is notably elevated, signalling excess rental supply.

Warren urban fabric map

Population

1,272

Median Age

45.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,267/wk

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

9

Median House

$247K

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

239.2 km²· 5.3 people/km²· Family income $1,721/wk

At a median house price of $247,000, Warren is markedly affordable compared to NSW and national medians. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.7%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached: 89.8% separate houses, with semi-detached at 7.3% and apartments just 2.9%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 47.7% of dwellings, followed by four-plus bedroom homes at 35.6%. Price history shows a fall from $270,000 in 2024 to $230,000 in 2025, a decline of 14.8%, so buyers should weigh affordability against downward price momentum before committing.

For Buyers

At a median house price of $247,000, Warren is markedly affordable compared to NSW and national medians. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.7%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached: 89.8% separate houses, with semi-detached at 7.3% and apartments just 2.9%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 47.7% of dwellings, followed by four-plus bedroom homes at 35.6%. Price history shows a fall from $270,000 in 2024 to $230,000 in 2025, a decline of 14.8%, so buyers should weigh affordability against downward price momentum before committing.

For Investors

Weekly rent of $215 against a $247,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.5%, higher than most metro markets, but a vacancy rate of 18.2% signals excess supply. Only 8 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, so new supply is not the issue; thin demand is. Net internal migration is negative 67 per year, with overseas migration of positive 63 only partially compensating. Rent grew 21.2% over the period, a positive signal, but sustained demand depends on agricultural employment and public sector stability rather than population expansion.

Development Activity

Total DAs

56

Last 12 Months

9

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-10.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Garage / Carport / Shed
5
New Dwelling
4
Renovation / Extension
3
Commercial / Industrial
2
Signage / Advertising
2
Subdivision
1
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
1
Swimming Pool / Spa
1

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

St Mary's Parish School

ICSEA 1014 Primary Catholic

K-6 · 127 students

Warren Central School

ICSEA 783 Combined Government

K-12 · 228 students

Demographics

Warren's median age of 45 is 5 years above the national figure, and the senior share rose 5.8 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.7 points, confirming an aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents are 7.2%, which is 14.4 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly Australian-born population. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (432 residents) leads, followed by Irish (171) and Scottish (106). University qualifications reach 18.5% of residents, sitting 11.6 points below the national rate. Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, consistent with smaller family units as younger cohorts leave for larger centres.

Age Distribution

0-14
19.1%
15-24
9.5%
25-44
20.7%
45-64
24.5%
65+
26.0%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
5.1%
2 bed
11.7%
3 bed
47.7%
4+ bed
35.6%

Dwelling Structure

89.8%

Houses

7.3%

Townhouse

2.9%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 44.9% Mortgage 25.8% Rent 29.3%

Tenure patterns in Warren reveal a community with considerable outright ownership: 44.9% own their home without a mortgage, compared to the national average of around 31%, while 25.8% are on a mortgage and 29.3% rent. The stock is almost entirely detached housing at 89.8%, with three-bedroom homes at 47.7% and four-plus bedroom homes at 35.6%. Median house price fell from $270,000 in 2024 to $230,000 in 2025, a 14.8% decline. At 18.2%, vacancy rate is elevated, suggesting more rental supply than demand, which caps rent appreciation despite the 21.2% growth recorded over the broader period. Rent-to-income at 17.0% keeps tenants comfortable.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,083

Rent / wk

$215

HH Size

2.2

Personal Income / wk

$740

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

18.2%

Unoccupied

116

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

17.0%

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

19.7%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
432
Irish
171
Ancestry NS
123
Scottish
106
Other
46
German
33

Household Composition

37.2%

Couples, no children

904

Total families

Economy & Employment

Agriculture leads employment at 19.1%, followed by Education at 15.1% and Healthcare at 10.0%, with Public Administration at 9.4% and Construction at 7.7%. Managers (85 workers), Labourers (77) and Machinery/Drivers (67) are the top occupation groups, consistent with a farming and public-services base. Unemployment is 4.8% and full-time employment at 71.6% is solid. Labour force participation at 50.4% is low, because 376 residents are not in the workforce, a direct result of the aging demographic. SEIFA decile 3 on IRSD and IRSAD places the suburb below average nationally for economic resources.

Unemployment

3.1%

Labour Force

2,160

Unemployed

66

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

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

Overall advantage
3
Disadvantage
3
Economic resources
4
Education & occupation
3

Full-time

71.6%

Part-time

23.6%

Participation

50.4%

Employed

493

Occupations

Managers 85
Labourers 77
Machinery/Drivers 67
Clerical/Admin 56
Community/Personal 53
Professionals 51
Sales 33

Top Industries

Agriculture 19.1%
Education 15.1%
Healthcare 10.0%
Public Admin 9.4%
Construction 7.7%

University

18.5%

Postgraduate

3.2%

Born Overseas

7.2%

Dwellings

518

Transport to Work

Warren is car-dependent, with 83.4% driving to work and only 1.1% using public transport. Walking or cycling at 9.0% is notable for a regional town, likely because the urban core is compact. Crime data is unavailable for this dataset. The suburb scores decile 3 on IRSAD, placing it below average nationally for socioeconomic advantage, and IEO decile 3 similarly ranks it in the lower third for education and occupation outcomes. Volunteering at 20.1% is above the national average, indicating strong civic participation despite the lower SEIFA scores. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary; families use schools across the broader district.

Drive

83.4%

Public Transport

1.1%

Walk / Cycle

9.0%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.98%/yr

(+81 people/yr)

Established

The broader SA2 area has grown 18% over 10 years, above the typical rural baseline, with the medium forecast projecting 8,975 residents by 2031 from 8,237 in 2025 at 0.98% annually. Internal migration is a net negative 67 per year, offset by overseas migration of positive 63. The gentrification score of 22, classified as early signs, is lower than suburban fringe markets, and the house price fell from $270,000 in 2024 to $230,000 in 2025, showing rural headwinds outweigh upward pressure at present. Affordability improved from 52.7% in 2011 to 48.9% in 2021, a positive trend compared to most regional NSW markets that worsened over the same period.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+63

Net Internal / yr

-67

5

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +14% since 2011

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

How Warren compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 26%
Household Income
Bottom 28%
Rent Level
Bottom 37%
Apartments
Bottom 43%
Renters
Top 30%
Uni Educated
Bottom 32%
Public Transport
Bottom 17%
Born Overseas
Bottom 16%
Density
Bottom 49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Warren a good suburb to live in?

Warren offers genuine affordability, with a $247,000 median house price and mortgage-to-income at 19.7%, well below the 30% stress threshold. It scores decile 3 on IRSAD nationally, placing it in the lower socioeconomic tier, but outright ownership at 44.9% is high and housing stress is low. Suitability depends on whether the agricultural economy and limited urban services align with a buyer's needs.

What is the median house price in Warren?

The median house price in Warren is $247,000, well below the NSW and national medians. Prices fell 14.8% from $270,000 in 2024 to $230,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,083, keeping mortgage-to-income at a comfortable 19.7%.

What schools are in Warren?

No schools are recorded inside the Warren suburb boundary in this dataset. Families in the Warren area are served by schools across the broader Warren district. The local university qualification rate is 18.5%, which is 11.6 percentage points below the national figure.

Is Warren safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Warren in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 3 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, placing it in the lower third nationally. Volunteering participation is strong at 20.1% of residents, which is above the national average and consistent with an engaged local community.

Is Warren good for property investment?

Weekly rent of $215 against a $247,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.5%, above many metro markets. However, a vacancy rate of 18.2% signals excess rental supply, and house prices fell 14.8% between 2024 and 2025. Net internal migration is negative 67 per year, limiting demand growth. Investors should weigh the yield against price softness and thin tenant demand.

How is Warren's population changing?

Population growth runs at approximately 0.98% annually, adding around 81 persons per year. Internal migration is a net negative 67 per year, offset partially by overseas migration of positive 63. The profile is aging: the median age of 45 is 5 years above the national figure, and the senior share rose 5.8 points over the decade.

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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