🔍

Harden

NSW 2587 • Rest of NSW

1,900
Population (2021)
$28,600
Median Income
14.22 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricQuietAgriculturalAffordable

About Harden

Harden is a small country town in the Hilltops region of New South Wales, situated approximately 330 kilometres south-west of Sydney and 130 kilometres north-west of Canberra at an elevation of 399 metres on the South West Slopes. With a population of 1,900, the town serves as the main service centre for the surrounding agricultural district within the Hilltops (Area) council. The median household income of $973 per week and a median age of 52 reflect an older, predominantly Anglo-Australian demographic typical of regional NSW towns where farming and pastoral industries have historically underpinned the local economy.

Harden is a quiet, established country town with a compact town centre offering essential services, local shops, hotels, and schools. The town has a historic connection to the railway — Harden railway station sits on the Main South line between Sydney and Melbourne — though intercity services are now limited. The nearby Murrumburrah locality effectively merges with Harden to form a single community. Wide streets, historic commercial buildings, and a relaxed rural pace of life define the town, which appeals to retirees, farming families, and those seeking affordable regional living within reasonable distance of both Sydney and Canberra.

Harden falls under postcode 2587 and is governed by Hilltops Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cootamundra electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2587
Urban Area
Gundagai - Junee - Harden
LGA / Council
Hilltops
Federal Electorate
Riverina
State Electorate
Cootamundra
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.55°, 148.37°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
14.22 km²
Elevation
399m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Harden
0.5 km
7 min

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach — Canberra / Sydney (via Yass Junction) 2 hr to Canberra / 4+ hr to Sydney

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
330 km
By Train
NSW TrainLink intercity service — approx. 4–5 hours to Central, infrequent departures
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min – 4 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr 20 min – 3 hr 50 min

🛣️ Harden is more practically linked to Canberra (~130 km, ~1.5 hr drive) for major services; Barton Highway and Hume Highway provide regional road connections

Walkability Car-Dependent

The compact town centre is walkable for basic errands, but a car is needed for most larger shopping and services beyond the main street

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 3 heritage-listed places in or near Harden, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Harden Railway Station and yard group
Main Southern railway, Harden • SHR #01165
Demondrille Junction railway ruins and signal box
Main Southern railway, Demondrille • SHR #01128
Galong Railway Station and yard group
Main Southern railway Galong • SHR #01146

🔍 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 Harden by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Harden Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$910
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
52 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.5%

11 state housing + 9 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,030
Census 2021
1,900
▼ 6.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$25,012
Income 2021
$28,600
▲ 14.3% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,607
Born Overseas 149

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 37
  • 2. New Zealand 21
  • 3. Philippines 13
  • 4. Germany 11
  • 5. China 10
  • 6. Poland 8
  • 7. Canada 6
  • 8. India 6
  • 9. Japan 5
  • 10. Scotland 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 843
Australian 836
Irish 242
Scottish 155
Australian Aboriginal 151
German 72
Italian 23
Filipino 20
Polish 18
Chinese 13

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,460
Both parents born in Australia
185
Both parents born overseas
125
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
66.6%
No Religion
25.2%
Buddhism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
93 (4.9%)
5-14 years
206 (10.8%)
15-19 years
92 (4.8%)
20-24 years
70 (3.7%)
25-34 years
172 (9.1%)
35-44 years
170 (8.9%)
45-54 years
198 (10.4%)
55-64 years
276 (14.5%)
65-74 years
357 (18.8%)
75-84 years
211 (11.1%)
85+ years
59 (3.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Harden known for? +

Harden is known as a historic railway town on NSW's Main South line, surrounded by productive farming country in the Hilltops region. The town is also associated with the nearby Murrumburrah settlement and serves as a service hub for the broader agricultural district.

How far is Harden from Sydney? +

Harden is approximately 330 kilometres south-west of Sydney, a drive of around 3.5–4 hours. It is more conveniently located about 130 kilometres north-west of Canberra, approximately a 1.5-hour drive.

Does Harden have public transport? +

Harden has a railway station on the NSW TrainLink Main South Line, though intercity services to Sydney are infrequent. NSW TrainLink coach services also connect Harden to Canberra and Sydney.

What is the population of Harden? +

According to the 2021 Census, Harden has a population of approximately 1,900, with the town effectively merging with neighbouring Murrumburrah to form a single community.

Is Harden a good place to live? +

Harden suits retirees, farming families, and those seeking affordable, quiet regional living within reasonable distance of Canberra. It offers a tight-knit community, affordable housing, and a relaxed pace of life, but limited employment opportunities and services compared to larger regional centres.

What is the postcode for Harden? +

Harden's postcode is 2587.