Werris Creek
An older, low-density town profile stands out in Werris Creek: the median age is 50, which is 10 years above the national benchmark, while household income sits at the 10.2nd percentile. The suburb has 1,478 residents across 227.91 square kilometres, with a density of 6.5 people per square kilometre. Separate houses account for 97.5% of dwellings, and 49.9% of homes are owned outright. Residential stability is pronounced, with 77.2% of residents staying at the same address compared with a 22.8% turnover rate. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 602, 173 and 141. Compared with nearby Quirindi, Werris Creek suits buyers seeking a smaller, low-density setting shaped by driving, local services and regional connections.
Local council: Liverpool Plains
Population
1,478
Median Age
50.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$941/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
8
Werris Creek is primarily a separate-house market, with 97.5% of dwellings detached compared with 2.0% apartments and 0.5% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties make up 53.3% of homes, while 4-plus-bedroom dwellings account for 20.3%, giving families more choice than buyers seeking compact housing. A suburb-level median house price is not stated, so recent comparable sales should be checked before making an offer. The available cost indicators are a $220 weekly rent and a $906 monthly mortgage figure. Mortgage payments represent 22.2% of income and rent 23.4%, while household income ranks below the national distribution at the 10.2nd percentile. The high outright ownership rate of 49.9% points to a settled market rather than a heavily leveraged one.
For Buyers
Werris Creek is primarily a separate-house market, with 97.5% of dwellings detached compared with 2.0% apartments and 0.5% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties make up 53.3% of homes, while 4-plus-bedroom dwellings account for 20.3%, giving families more choice than buyers seeking compact housing. A suburb-level median house price is not stated, so recent comparable sales should be checked before making an offer. The available cost indicators are a $220 weekly rent and a $906 monthly mortgage figure. Mortgage payments represent 22.2% of income and rent 23.4%, while household income ranks below the national distribution at the 10.2nd percentile. The high outright ownership rate of 49.9% points to a settled market rather than a heavily leveraged one.
For Investors
Rental demand in Werris Creek requires a measured approach. Renting accounts for 24.2% of occupied dwellings, below the 49.9% outright ownership share, while the weekly rent is $220. The 9.7% vacancy rate is a more important risk than in a tightly leased market because empty periods can reduce the return from an otherwise low-cost property. Eight development applications were recorded over 12 months, including a secondary dwelling, a demolition and new dwelling, and outdoor additions. That pipeline is smaller than a major expansion area, so investors should focus on local employment, tenant affordability and the condition of individual houses. The detached housing share is 97.5%, higher than the apartment share of 2.0%, which supports a family-house investment profile but limits apartment diversification.
Development Activity
Total DAs
65
Last 12 Months
8
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+14.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Werris Creek
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Werris Creek has an older population profile, with a median age of 50 that is 10 years above the national comparison. University attainment is 11.7%, or 18.4 percentage points below the national figure, while the overseas-born share is 4.3%, 17.3 points lower than nationally. Average household size is 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national comparison. The main reported ancestries are English at 602 people, Irish at 173 and Scottish at 141, giving the suburb a strongly Anglo-Celtic profile. Christianity is reported by 880 residents and no religion by 459. Couples without children account for 44.4% of families, higher than couples with children at 28.9%, while one-parent families make up 23.6%. Compared with nearby Quirindi, the key choice is between a smaller, more settled population and a larger regional service centre.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.5%
Houses
0.5%
Townhouse
2.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing in Werris Creek is overwhelmingly detached, with separate houses representing 97.5% of dwellings, compared with 2.0% apartments and 0.5% semi-detached homes. The largest bedroom category is three bedrooms at 53.3%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 20.3% and two bedrooms at 23.4%. Ownership is stronger than renting: 49.9% of homes are owned outright, 24.4% have a mortgage and 24.2% are rented. The weekly rent is $220 and the monthly mortgage figure is $906, with rent taking 23.4% of income and mortgage costs 22.2%. A 9.7% vacancy rate is higher than the level associated with a tightly occupied market, which can create more choice for tenants but less certainty for landlords. Buyers comparing Werris Creek with nearby Quirindi should weigh its low-density, house-led stock against access to broader services.
Mortgage / mo
$906
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$220
Census 2021
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$498
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.7%
Unoccupied
66
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.9%
Couples with children
44.4%
Couples, no children
23.6%
Single parent
394
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is concentrated in practical local and regional services. Healthcare leads the listed industries at 17.3% with 44 workers, above Transport at 14.5% and 37 workers; Education contributes 10.2%, Construction 7.8% and Retail 6.3%. The main occupations are Machinery and Drivers at 94 people, Community and Personal services at 76, Labourers at 71, Trades at 68 and Clerical and Administration at 48. The labour force numbers 531 people, with 276 employed full time and 171 part time. The unemployment rate is 9.2%, participation is 43.1% and 602 people are outside the labour force. This mix reflects an economy tied to healthcare, transport, education and hands-on work because those sectors match the suburb's service needs and regional location. Household income is $941 per week, below the national income distribution at the 10.2nd percentile.
Unemployment
9.2%
Labour Force
531
Unemployed
49
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.3%
Part-time
35.5%
Participation
43.1%
Employed
482
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
11.7%
Postgraduate
2.8%
Born Overseas
4.3%
Dwellings
607
Transport to Work
Werris Creek suits residents who are comfortable with car-based daily life. Car drivers account for 74.6% of commuters, much higher than public transport use at 1.0%, while 8.9% walk or cycle and 12.9% work from home. Werris Creek Public School provides one local government primary school option. Families should check enrolment zones against the exact address, since school access can extend across suburb boundaries. A suburb-level crime rate is not available, so safety should be assessed through current NSW Police information, council updates and visits at different times of day rather than inferred from the town's size. The median age of 50 is above the national benchmark by 10 years, which may suit quieter households but can mean fewer youth-oriented services than in larger regional centres. The 18.6% volunteering rate points to local civic participation, while 11.5% need assistance with core activities, making service access important.
Drive
74.6%
Public Transport
1.0%
Walk / Cycle
8.9%
Work from Home
12.9%
Growth Outlook
A conservative growth outlook is appropriate for Werris Creek. The suburb has 1,478 residents today, with 77.2% staying at the same address and turnover at 22.8%, so retention is higher than residential movement. Eight development applications over 12 months indicate ongoing small-scale renewal rather than a large construction pipeline. The local age profile also matters: a median age of 50, 10 years above the national comparison, can limit rapid household growth because the resident base is older. An annual forecast growth rate, primary migration driver, gentrification score and 10-year trajectory are not stated, so rapid expansion should not be assumed. Future demand is more likely to depend on employment access, housing affordability and the ability of local services to support existing residents than on major new development.
Population trend: Liverpool Plains council area
Werris Creek sits in the Liverpool Plains council area. These are the council area's residents, not Werris Creek's.
Residents 2025
7,671
Growth, 5 yr average
-0.1%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
-0.1%
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 Werris Creek compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Werris Creek a good suburb to live in?
Werris Creek suits people seeking a quiet, low-density town with detached housing. It has 1,478 residents, a density of 6.5 people per square kilometre and 97.5% separate houses. The median age of 50 is 10 years above the national comparison, so the lifestyle is more settled than in many younger growth areas.
What is the median house price in Werris Creek?
A current median house price is not stated. The available housing indicators are a $220 weekly rent, a $906 monthly mortgage figure and 49.9% outright ownership. Buyers should compare at least 3 recent local sales and confirm the condition, block size and services attached to each property before estimating value.
What schools are in Werris Creek?
Werris Creek Public School is the 1 listed local school, providing government primary education. Families should confirm current year-level availability, enrolment boundaries and transport arrangements for the exact address. School choice is narrower than in larger regional centres, where several government and non-government options may be available.
Is Werris Creek safe?
A suburb-level crime rate is not available, so a definitive safety rating cannot be given. For everyday context, 74.6% of commuters drive, compared with 1.0% using public transport and 8.9% walking or cycling. Check recent NSW Police information and visit the area at different times before deciding.
Is Werris Creek good for property investment?
It may suit investors targeting low-cost detached housing, but the numbers call for caution. Weekly rent is $220, vacancy is 9.7%, renting accounts for 24.2% of dwellings and 8 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Those conditions suggest checking tenant depth, maintenance costs and resale demand rather than assuming strong capital growth.
How is Werris Creek's population changing?
Werris Creek has 1,478 residents today. Residential stability is relatively high, with 77.2% staying at the same address compared with 22.8% turnover. The median age is 50, which is 10 years above the national comparison. Eight development applications in 12 months indicate some renewal, but rapid population expansion should not be assumed.
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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