🔍

Barraba

NSW 2347 • Rest of NSW

1,329
Population (2021)
$24,440
Median Income
523.54 km²
Area
$195/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietRemote

About Barraba

Barraba is a rural town and locality in the Gwydir Shire in north-western New South Wales, situated at an elevation of 544 metres in the Manilla River valley approximately 180 kilometres north-west of Tamworth. The locality spans a large 523 square kilometres of pastoral and agricultural land, with a population of 1,329 residents. The community has a notably older demographic, with a median age of 58 and a significant proportion of residents aged over 65, while approximately 12.6 per cent identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The median household income of $776 per week reflects the modest economic circumstances typical of rural New South Wales towns.

Barraba offers a quintessential rural lifestyle with a close-knit community built around grazing, farming, and local services. The town has a main street with essential shops, a hotel, and community facilities, and is served by a public and a Catholic primary school as well as a high school. The Manilla River and surrounding countryside provide opportunities for fishing, bushwalking, and nature activities, and the region's gemstone fossicking is a local draw. Public transport is extremely limited; a car is essential for accessing larger centres like Narrabri (around 100 kilometres north) or Tamworth for specialist services.

Barraba falls under postcode 2347 and is governed by Gwydir Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Tamworth electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2347
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Gwydir
Federal Electorate
New England
State Electorate
Tamworth
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.39°, 150.57°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
523.54 km²
Elevation
544m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach — Tamworth / Narrabri 2-3 hours to Tamworth

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
450 km
By Train
No direct service; travel to Narrabri then NSW TrainLink to Sydney (~10+ hours)
By Car (Peak)
4.5-5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
4.5 hours

🛣️ Remote rural town; car is essential; limited coach connections to Tamworth and Narrabri

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Small rural town; most daily needs require a vehicle, though essential services are available in the town centre

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Barraba by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Barraba Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Barraba" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$195
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$758
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
58 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.6%

10 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,410
Census 2021
1,329
▼ 5.7% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$22,984
Income 2021
$24,440
▲ 6.3% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,111
Born Overseas 94

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 26
  • 2. Philippines 11
  • 3. Germany 8
  • 4. New Zealand 8
  • 5. India 7
  • 6. Canada 5
  • 7. South Africa 5
  • 8. Ireland 4
  • 9. Japan 4
  • 10. Malaysia 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 605
Australian 566
Australian Aboriginal 149
Irish 147
Scottish 131
German 63
Filipino 14
Indian 9
Chinese 8
Spanish 7

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,018
Both parents born in Australia
111
Both parents born overseas
92
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
66.7%
No Religion
22.9%
Hinduism
0.7%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
47 (3.5%)
5-14 years
129 (9.7%)
15-19 years
50 (3.8%)
20-24 years
32 (2.4%)
25-34 years
95 (7.1%)
35-44 years
93 (7.0%)
45-54 years
148 (11.1%)
55-64 years
237 (17.8%)
65-74 years
248 (18.7%)
75-84 years
196 (14.7%)
85+ years
62 (4.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barraba known for? +

Barraba is known as a quiet rural town in the Gwydir Shire with a long grazing and agricultural heritage. The area is also noted for gemstone fossicking opportunities and its setting in the Manilla River valley at 544 metres elevation.

How far is Barraba from the nearest city? +

Barraba is approximately 180 kilometres north-west of Tamworth, the nearest large regional city, typically around a 2-hour drive. It is roughly 450 kilometres north-west of Sydney.

Does Barraba have public transport? +

Public transport options in Barraba are very limited. There is no rail service; the nearest rail connection is at Narrabri, approximately 100 kilometres north. NSW TrainLink coach services connect the area to Tamworth and beyond, but a car is strongly recommended.

What is the population of Barraba? +

According to the 2021 Census, Barraba has a population of approximately 1,329 residents across a large rural area of 523 square kilometres. The community has an older age profile, with a median age of 58.

Is Barraba a good place to live? +

Barraba suits those who value a quiet, affordable rural lifestyle with a genuine sense of community. The town provides essential services and schooling, and the surrounding countryside offers outdoor recreation, though residents rely heavily on private vehicles for most needs.

What is the postcode for Barraba? +

The postcode for Barraba is 2347, covering the town and its surrounding rural locality in the Gwydir Shire.