🔍

Coonamble

NSW 2829 • Rest of NSW

2,666
Population (2021)
$33,332
Median Income
1514.41 km²
Area
$190/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableHistoricMulticultural

About Coonamble

Coonamble is a regional town in north-western New South Wales, located approximately 480 kilometres north-west of Sydney along the Castlereagh Highway. With a population of around 2,666 residents, it serves as the administrative centre of Coonamble Shire and an important service hub for the surrounding farming and pastoral regions. The town has a significant Aboriginal community, with over 1,000 residents identifying as Indigenous Australians, giving Coonamble a rich and deep cultural heritage.

Coonamble offers a range of local services including a hospital, high school, primary schools, supermarkets and sporting facilities along the Castlereagh River. The Coonamble Showground and the river precinct are focal points for community life, with the annual Coonamble Rodeo and campdraft events drawing visitors from across the region. Affordable housing makes it accessible for families and retirees seeking a quiet outback lifestyle, while the vast surrounding plains attract travellers exploring outback New South Wales.

Coonamble falls under postcode 2829 and is governed by Coonamble Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barwon electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2829
Urban Area
Coonamble
LGA / Council
Coonamble
Federal Electorate
Parkes
State Electorate
Barwon
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.95°, 148.31°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1514.41 km²
Elevation
176m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Coonamble Railway Station (heritage listed, no regular passenger service)
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach — Dubbo ~2 hr

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
480 km
By Train
NSW TrainLink coach to Dubbo, then train ~4.5 hr total
By Car (Peak)
5 hr via Castlereagh Hwy
By Car (Off-Peak)
4 hr 45 min

🛣️ Regional coach to Dubbo; Dubbo offers train and air connections to Sydney

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact town centre with flat streets; most amenities within walking distance

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Coonamble, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Coonamble Railway Station and yard group
Dubbo-Coonamble railway, Coonamble • SHR #01117
Wooleybah Sawmill and Settlement
Old Wooleybah Road, Kenebri • SHR #01846

🌳 Parks & Reserves

There are 4 parks and reserves in Coonamble.

🔍 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 Coonamble by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Coonamble Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$190
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$883
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
38 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.7%

75 state housing + 25 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,750
Census 2021
2,666
▼ 3.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$27,664
Income 2021
$33,332
▲ 20.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,151
Born Overseas 95

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 26
  • 2. Philippines 14
  • 3. England 10
  • 4. New Zealand 9
  • 5. South Africa 7
  • 6. China 5
  • 7. Ireland 5
  • 8. Germany 4
  • 9. Indonesia 4
  • 10. Vietnam 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,084
Australian Aboriginal 886
English 763
Irish 194
Scottish 176
German 66
Indian 30
Italian 23
Filipino 16
Chinese 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,046
Both parents born in Australia
123
Both parents born overseas
97
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
64.2%
No Religion
19.3%
Hinduism
0.6%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
220 (8.3%)
5-14 years
362 (13.6%)
15-19 years
161 (6.0%)
20-24 years
139 (5.2%)
25-34 years
346 (13.0%)
35-44 years
267 (10.0%)
45-54 years
290 (10.9%)
55-64 years
340 (12.8%)
65-74 years
290 (10.9%)
75-84 years
174 (6.5%)
85+ years
65 (2.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coonamble known for? +

Coonamble is known for its large Aboriginal community, the annual Coonamble Rodeo, heritage-listed railway station, and as a service hub for north-western NSW's farming and pastoral industries.

How far is Coonamble from Sydney? +

Coonamble is approximately 480 km north-west of Sydney, about a 5-hour drive via the Castlereagh Highway.

What schools are in Coonamble? +

Coonamble has Coonamble High School (Government), Coonamble Public School (Government) and St Bernard's Primary School (Catholic).

Is there public transport to Coonamble? +

NSW TrainLink operates coach services connecting Coonamble to Dubbo, where passengers can connect to train and air services to Sydney.

What is the median rent in Coonamble? +

The median weekly rent in Coonamble is $190, making it one of the more affordable towns in regional New South Wales according to the 2021 Census.