🔍

Kootingal

NSW 2352 • Rest of NSW

2,313
Population (2021)
$39,520
Median Income
82.60 km²
Area
$320/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalFamily-FriendlyEstablished

About Kootingal

Kootingal is a small agricultural town in the Tamworth Regional Council area of New South Wales, situated 20 kilometres east of Tamworth and 474 kilometres from Sydney. Nestled in a rich alluvial valley within the Moonbi Range — part of the Great Dividing Range — the town sits at an elevation of approximately 424 metres. At the 2021 census it had a population of 2,313, with a median age of 38 and a median household income of around $1,369 per week. The name Kootingal is derived from the local Kamilaroi language, reflecting the area's deep Aboriginal heritage, with around 11.8 per cent of residents identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Kootingal functions as a satellite community of Tamworth, with residents relying on Tamworth's city services for shopping, healthcare, and schooling. The surrounding area is productive agricultural land, with lucerne farms, fruit and vegetable growing, and poultry operations common in the valley. The town has a strong community feel with local schools, a sporting oval, and quiet residential streets. Residents enjoy easy access to the Moonbi Range scenery and are within a short drive of Tamworth's full range of amenities, the Peel River, and the broader New England region.

Kootingal falls under postcode 2352 and is governed by Tamworth Regional Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Tamworth electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2352
Urban Area
Tamworth - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Tamworth Regional
Federal Electorate
New England
State Electorate
Tamworth
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.06°, 151.06°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
82.60 km²
Elevation
424m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Regional bus services to Tamworth — Tamworth CBD Approx 25-30 min by bus/car

Commute to Tamworth CBD

Distance
20 km
By Train
No direct service; Tamworth station (20 km west) serves the XPT from Sydney (~5.5 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
20-30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-25 min

🛣️ New England Highway connects Kootingal to Tamworth; a car is essential for daily life

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A rural town with limited local services; a car is required for virtually all daily errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Moonby House
New England Highway, Kootingal • SHR #00061
Woolbrook rail bridge over McDonald River
Main Northern Railway, Woolbrook • SHR #01067

🔍 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 Kootingal by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Kootingal Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$320
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,302
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
38 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,126
Census 2021
2,313
▲ 8.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$33,644
Income 2021
$39,520
▲ 17.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,096
Born Overseas 93

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 23
  • 2. New Zealand 23
  • 3. Netherlands 7
  • 4. China 5
  • 5. Ireland 4
  • 6. Philippines 4
  • 7. South Africa 4
  • 8. Germany 3
  • 9. India 3
  • 10. Indonesia 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,065
English 1,028
Irish 285
Australian Aboriginal 263
Scottish 240
German 92
Dutch 30
Italian 25
Chinese 17
French 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,908
Both parents born in Australia
111
Both parents born overseas
168
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
58.8%
No Religion
33.9%
Buddhism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
154 (6.7%)
5-14 years
340 (14.7%)
15-19 years
152 (6.6%)
20-24 years
129 (5.6%)
25-34 years
287 (12.4%)
35-44 years
254 (11.0%)
45-54 years
293 (12.7%)
55-64 years
284 (12.3%)
65-74 years
265 (11.5%)
75-84 years
129 (5.6%)
85+ years
33 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kootingal known for? +

Kootingal is known for its fertile alluvial valley setting in the Moonbi Range and its agricultural character, including lucerne, fruit and vegetable farms, and chicken and egg production. It also has significant Kamilaroi Aboriginal heritage, and the town's name derives from the Kamilaroi language.

How far is Kootingal from Tamworth? +

Kootingal is approximately 20 kilometres east of Tamworth CBD, a drive of around 20 to 30 minutes along the New England Highway.

Does Kootingal have public transport? +

Kootingal has limited regional bus services connecting it to Tamworth. There is no local train station; the nearest rail access is at Tamworth, approximately 20 kilometres away. A car is the most practical way to get around.

What is the population of Kootingal? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kootingal has a population of 2,313 residents, with a median age of 38 years. Around 11.8 per cent of residents identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, reflecting the area's Kamilaroi heritage.

Is Kootingal a good place to live? +

Kootingal suits families and those seeking a quiet, semi-rural lifestyle close to a regional city. It offers an affordable cost of living, a close-knit community, and scenic surroundings in the Moonbi Range, with Tamworth's full services just a short drive away.

What is the postcode for Kootingal? +

Kootingal's postcode is 2352.