Median house price
$293k
+13% change
NSW · Cobar Council
Cobar, 2835
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,570
Growth (1 yr)
-0.0%
Growth (5 yr)
-4.1%
Median age
36
Median income
$1,816/wk
Employment rate
56.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$293,000
Languages at home
5.7%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Punjabi, Afrikaans
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- National parks
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Cobar is a quieter mid-sized suburb in Cobar Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible. Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower.
Crime reports are up on the previous period. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus schools and education compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Cobar snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$290/wk
Houses $355 · Units $250
Population (ERP)
3,570
-0.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
26.7%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#171
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
90th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
8th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
6th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 33.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4950th in Australia
- State rank
- 1586th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #171 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #639 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $250
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $355
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $290
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 43
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $293,000
- Median price change
- +12.5%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
3,570(June 2025)
-0.0% annual · -4.1% over 5 years · 8th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.0%
- 5-year growth
- -4.1%
- Change in 1 year
- -1
- Change in 5 years
- -152
- Growth rank in NSW
- 8th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~3,350), extrapolated at -1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,603
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $1,816
- Dwelling vacancy
- 26.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 458 of 1,715
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,109
- Employment rate
- 56.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,121 / 44 / 67 (+ 14 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 477
- Against the person
- 165
- Against property
- 153
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 133.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 22 residents
- State safety percentile
- 89.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +18.4%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order38
- Breach Bail Conditions41
- Domestic Violence Related Assault52
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment68
- Malicious Damage To Property50
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 865
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 6th
School list
- Cobar High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 865 · 6th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 214 students · Top SEA quarter 2%View on My School →
- Cobar Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 849 · 5th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 228 students · Top SEA quarter 3%View on My School →
- St John's Parish SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 941 · 22th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 114 students · Top SEA quarter 8%View on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Cobar Pre SchoolBooroomugga Streetkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
176 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cobar Family Daycare
- Lewis St At Eleventh St
- Linsley St At Molineaux St
- The Rookery Kidman Way
- Wood St At Hogan Pl
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Cobar Miners Heritage ParkPark
- Cobar RacecoursePark
- Drummond ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 7
- Nearest hospital
- Cobar Health Service (4.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Allen Brady Medical CentreYes
- Cobar Health ServiceWoodiwiss AvenueHospital
- Cobar Primary Healthcare CentreYes
- Cobar Respiratory ClinicYes
- Cobar Wellbeing PlaceBroomfield StreetYes
- John Mitchell PharmacyMarshall StreetPharmacy
- Thompson Family DentalBarton StreetDentist
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 81
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 22.7
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 32° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 105 mm · ~13 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 88 mm · ~11 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 5°
- Rainfall
- 94 mm · ~12 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 91 mm · ~11 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 20 proposals
July 2026
- Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia24 BECKER STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; General industry18 GIBBES STREET COBAR 2835Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (attached)66 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure21 NULLAMUT STREET COBAR 2835Under Assessment
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool16 ANNIES LANE COBAR 2835Determined
- Subdivision18 GREEN STREET COBAR 2835Under Assessment
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)71 BECKER STREET COBAR 2835Under Assessment
- Demolition; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Depot5 OLD BOURKE ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park101 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 DENMAN STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Outdoor dining - general; Food and drink premise69 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Determined
February 2026
- Advertising and signage; Shop29-33 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 BILBY CLOSE COBAR 2835Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 ANNIES LANE COBAR 2835Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 ANNIES LANE COBAR 2835Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development19 CLIFTON PLACE COBAR 2835Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Fences; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development21 CLIFTON PLACE COBAR 2835Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Automotive/truck premises; Service station69 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Agriculture11965 BARRIER HIGHWAY COBAR 2835Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport4 CONDON PLACE COBAR 2835Determined
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences11 BLAKEY STREET COBAR 2835Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 FLETCHER STREET COBAR 2835Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure29 ACACIA DRIVE COBAR 2835Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure21-23 PRINCE STREET COBAR 2835Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Underground mining35565 KIDMAN WAY COBAR 2835Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Mine; Underground mining465 CSA ACCESS ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care6 BOOROOMUGGA STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Centre-based child care33 BOURKE STREET COBAR 2835Determined
July 2025
- Demolition2 BARTON STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Camping ground12375 BARRIER HIGHWAY COBAR 2835Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Manufactured home; Residential Accommodation18 YARRAN CIRCLE COBAR 2835Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)1 OLD BOURKE ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure278 LERIDA ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Manufactured home18 GOOLD STREET COBAR 2835Determined
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home18 GOOLD STREET COBAR 2835Withdrawn
- Seniors housing; Residential care facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 NULLAMUT STREET COBAR 2835Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation18 GREEN STREET COBAR 2835Determined
March 2025
- Erection of a new structure; General industry28-30 CORNISH STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure22 LOUTH ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
February 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 Belah crescent Cobar NSW 2835Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Depot2-4 BLAKEY STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Business premises; Erection of a new structure; Storage premises27 OLD BOURKE ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure86 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport49 ELIZABETH CRESCENT COBAR 2835Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Exercise caution. Reduce your speed. Check signage. Beware of washouts present along roadway.Mulya Road03 Aug 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Cobar Railway Station & yardNyngan-Cobar railway, CobarSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Parkes
- Member of Parliament
- Jamie CHAFFEY (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 130,841
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 63.0%Labor 37.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 208.7 km away).
Coalition 62.5%Labor 37.5%
0.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- CobarLabor 37.5% · Coalition 62.5% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
- NynganLabor 33.0% · Coalition 67.0% TPP (2025)131.1 km away
- BourkeLabor 44.2% · Coalition 55.8% TPP (2025)155.1 km away
- TottenhamLabor 20.0% · Coalition 80.0% TPP (2025)169.4 km away
- Euabalong WestLabor 30.4% · Coalition 69.6% TPP (2025)183.8 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Cobar Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.