NSW · Walcha Council
Walcha, 2354
Current weather
16.1°CClear sky
85% humidity · 17.8 km/h wind · 19.8° / 15.3° today · 3.9 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Top transport
- Rural
- Green space
- Schools
- Established
Suburb profile
Walcha offers a slower smaller community life in Walcha, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Out in the wider region, it rewards those who value open country and a pace set by the land, not the clock. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Homes offer solid value for the lifestyle on offer.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and housing affordability lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in parks and green space and transport and access. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 2,475
- Median age
- 49
- Median household income / week
- $1,220
- Dwelling vacancy
- 18.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 224 of 1,204
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,083
- Employment rate
- 54.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 58 / 0 / 39
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 · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $400
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 tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 139
- Against the person
- 55
- Against property
- 30
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 56.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 45 residents
- State safety percentile
- 33.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -32%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order23
- Breach Bail Conditions16
- Domestic Violence Related Assault20
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment25
- Sexual Assault15
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 · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 966.5
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolPrimary
- Walcha Central SchoolCombined
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 · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
351 public transport stops in this suburb
- Croudace St Before Towers St
- Evan St Before Thee St
- Evans St After Towers St
- South St At Oxley Hwy
- Thee St Before Oxley Hwy
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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
122 planning-related records
2026· 8 proposals
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure473 TIA DIGGINGS ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club12E CROUDACE STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space191E CROUDACE STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Caravan park; Moveable dwelling113N MIDDLE STREET WALCHA 2354Additional Information Requested
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation109E FITZROY STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure30N TOWERS STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Truck depot305 DARJEELING ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support62W APSLEY STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
2025· 16 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13718 OXLEY HIGHWAY WALCHA 2354Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club16E CROUDACE STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure38N TOWERS STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
October 2025
- Subdivision172W EVANS STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Residential Accommodation115W NORTH STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation238W HILL STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
September 2025
- Small bar; Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and trading67W FITZROY STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation707 SCRUBBY GULLY ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah132S DERBY STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation675 ABERBALDIE ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
- Subdivision112E-116E FITZROY STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure106W LEGGE STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure117 OXLEY DRIVE WALCHA 2354Determined
April 2025
- Subdivision2E-8E HILL STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
March 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation272 ABERBALDIE ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
February 2025
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia67W FITZROY STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
2024· 16 proposals
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1142 THUNDERBOLTS WAY WALCHA 2354Determined
October 2024
- Temporary building, structure or use; Extractive Industries (non-mining)355 MIRANI ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
- Subdivision9 EMU CREEK ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Residential Accommodation106 ABERBALDIE ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Moveable dwelling16174 OXLEY HIGHWAY WALCHA 2354Determined
September 2024
- Subdivision926 BRACKENDALE ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
- Place of public worship; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure210W NORTH STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport189 OXLEY DRIVE WALCHA 2354Determined
August 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space226E OXLEY DRIVE WALCHA 2354Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation185W APSLEY STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure213E-215E CROUDACE STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Shed; Temporary building, structure or use174W HILL STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
July 2024
- Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia1 6N-8N DERBY STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation191E CROUDACE STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- Farm buildings; Shed; Erection of a new structure117 OXLEY DRIVE WALCHA 2354Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 MCNABS ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
2 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Parking (2)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
6 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Lions ParkPark
- McHattan ParkPark
- Park or reserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 3
- Emergency department
- On site
- AmcalDerby Streetpharmacy
- Walcha Multi-Purpose ServiceMiddle Streethospital
- Walcha Physiotherapyphysiotherapist
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
4 state heritage places
- Kunderang East Pastoral Station80km north-west Oxley Wild Rivers National Park KempseySHR
- Ohio HomesteadWalchaSHR
- St Andrew's Anglican Church (former)South Street, WalchaSHR
- St Andrews Rectory (former)Thee Street, WalchaSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Walcha Pre-Schoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 55
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 41.2/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 46% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 3108th in Australia
- State rank
- 983rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #118 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #299 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Breach Apprehended Violence Ordercrime23
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime16
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime20
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime25
- Sexual Assaultcrime15
- Croudace St Before Towers Sttransport
- Evan St Before Thee Sttransport
- Evans St After Towers Sttransport
- South St At Oxley Hwytransport
- Thee St Before Oxley Hwytransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Walcha Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.