🔍

Coleambally

NSW 2707 • Rest of NSW

1,152
Population (2021)
$43,732
Median Income
1865.22 km²
Area
$180/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalFamily-FriendlyQuietAffordable

About Coleambally

Coleambally is a planned irrigation township and rural locality in the Murrumbidgee irrigation area of south-western New South Wales, administered by the Murrumbidgee Area Council and located approximately 695 kilometres south-west of Sydney. With a population of 1,152 at the 2021 Census and a median age of 43, the town serves as the service centre for the surrounding Coleambally Irrigation Area, one of Australia's most productive rice and mixed-farming regions. The locality spans 1,865 square kilometres of flat irrigation plains at 117 metres elevation, with a median household income of $1,555 per week reflecting a working agricultural community.

Coleambally is notable for its orderly, planned layout — the township was purpose-built in the 1960s to support the irrigation scheme — and features wide tree-lined streets, a community park, swimming pool, sporting facilities, and local schools and shops that make it a functional and liveable rural centre. Rice, wheat, and sheep are the backbone of the local economy, and the annual Riverina Field Days and community events reflect a strong rural culture. For a small town, Coleambally offers a surprisingly complete range of local services, with Griffith (approximately 90 km north) providing access to additional retail, health, and educational facilities.

Coleambally falls under postcode 2707 and is governed by Murrumbidgee Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Murray electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2707
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Murrumbidgee
Federal Electorate
Farrer
State Electorate
Murray
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.80°, 145.85°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1865.22 km²
Elevation
117m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional coach services — Griffith and regional centres Approx 60-90 min to Griffith

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
695 km
By Train
No direct rail; nearest rail at Griffith (~90 km); Griffith to Sydney by coach or road approximately 7-8 hours
By Car (Peak)
Approx 6.5-7.5 hours via Sturt and Hume Highways
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx 6.5 hours via Sturt and Hume Highways

🛣️ Griffith Airport provides the most practical link to Sydney; Coleambally is a car-dependent rural community

Walkability Car-Dependent

The compact township centre can be navigated on foot, but a car is essential for reaching services beyond the town and for most daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Coleambally, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

The Yanko Store
1063 Kidman Way, Jerilderie • SHR #02039

🔍 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 Coleambally by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Coleambally Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$180
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$867
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.4%

3 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,331
Census 2021
1,152
▼ 13.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$36,504
Income 2021
$43,732
▲ 19.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 999
Born Overseas 62

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 10
  • 2. New Zealand 9
  • 3. South Africa 8
  • 4. India 7
  • 5. Malaysia 7
  • 6. Ireland 4
  • 7. Philippines 4
  • 8. United States 4
  • 9. Italy 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 540
English 470
Irish 162
Scottish 142
Australian Aboriginal 43
German 34
Italian 31
Chinese 8
Filipino 6
Dutch 5

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

915
Both parents born in Australia
76
Both parents born overseas
77
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
64.9%
No Religion
24.9%
Buddhism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
64 (5.6%)
5-14 years
145 (12.6%)
15-19 years
51 (4.4%)
20-24 years
71 (6.2%)
25-34 years
127 (11.0%)
35-44 years
142 (12.3%)
45-54 years
143 (12.4%)
55-64 years
184 (16.0%)
65-74 years
131 (11.4%)
75-84 years
62 (5.4%)
85+ years
40 (3.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coleambally known for? +

Coleambally is best known as the service hub of the Coleambally Irrigation Area, one of Australia's most productive rice-growing and mixed-farming regions. The township was purpose-built in the 1960s with a distinctive planned layout, wide streets, and community facilities designed to support the local agricultural workforce.

How far is Coleambally from Sydney CBD? +

Coleambally is approximately 695 kilometres south-west of Sydney CBD — roughly a 6.5–7.5 hour drive via the Sturt and Hume Highways. Most residents connect to major cities via Griffith, which is about 90 kilometres north and has an airport with Sydney services.

Does Coleambally have public transport? +

Coleambally has limited regional coach services connecting to Griffith and other regional centres; there is no rail service in the town itself. A car is the practical choice for most residents, with Griffith providing the nearest rail and air connections.

What is the population of Coleambally? +

Coleambally had a population of 1,152 at the 2021 Census, with a median age of 43 and a stable community predominantly of Australian, English, and Irish ancestry. The town serves a wider rural population from surrounding irrigation farmlands.

Is Coleambally a good place to live? +

Coleambally offers affordable rural living with a genuine community feel and surprisingly good local services for its size, including schools, a pool, and sporting facilities. It suits farming families, agricultural workers, and those who value a quiet, close-knit country lifestyle in the Riverina.

What is the postcode for Coleambally? +

The postcode for Coleambally is 2707, covering this rural irrigation township in south-western New South Wales.