Median house price
$423k
-19% change
NSW · Walcha Council
Walcha, 2354
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,477
Growth (1 yr)
-0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
-1.6%
Median age
49
Median income
$1,220/wk
Employment rate
54.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$423,000
Languages at home
2.3%non-English
Most common: Australian Indigenous languages, German, Mandarin
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Walcha offers a slower smaller community life in Walcha Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. 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 and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Buses make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower.
Reported crime has been falling recently. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
The desirability picture is around average, weighed down by softer growth momentum relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Walcha snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$400/wk
Population (ERP)
2,477
-0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
18.6%
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
#80
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
36th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
6th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
36th
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
- 45.6/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 40% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2813th in Australia
- State rank
- 857th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #80 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #197 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $400
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $423,000
- Median price change
- -18.8%
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
2,477(June 2025)
-0.3% annual · -1.6% over 5 years · 6th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.3%
- 5-year growth
- -1.6%
- Change in 1 year
- -8
- Change in 5 years
- -41
- Growth rank in NSW
- 6th 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 (~2,450), extrapolated at -0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- 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)
- 926 / 0 / 39 (+ 10 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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 138
- Against the person
- 55
- Against property
- 30
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 55.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 45 residents
- State safety percentile
- 36.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -32.2%
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 · 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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 966.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 36th
School list
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1027 · 59th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 94 students · Top SEA quarter 21%View on My School →
- Walcha Central SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 906 · 12th percentile · LBOTE 27% · 230 students · Top SEA quarter 5%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
- Walcha Pre-Schoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
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 · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
2 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 6 parks mapped in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 351 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.42
Other(1)
- Parking (2)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
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
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 · current · Updated
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 — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Walcha Multi-Purpose Service (14.7 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- 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 · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 34
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 13.7
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
- 26° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 462 mm · ~58 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 329 mm · ~41 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 3°
- Rainfall
- 146 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 255 mm · ~32 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· 12 proposals
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing1905 ABERBALDIE ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing645 BRACKENDALE ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
- Subdivision9 EMU CREEK ROAD WALCHA 2354Determined
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
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)51E FITZROY STREET WALCHA 2354Determined
- 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 2354Under Assessment
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 · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Heritage
4 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 · current · Updated
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 · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- New England
- Member of Parliament
- Barnaby JOYCE (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,238
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.6%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -1.9 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 67.1%Labor 32.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 52.9 km away).
Coalition 82.7%Labor 17.3%
15.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -0.9 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- WalchaLabor 17.2% · Coalition 82.8% TPP (2025)14.3 km away
- WoolbrookLabor 22.4% · Coalition 77.6% TPP (2025)32.3 km away
- YarrowitchLabor 2.0% · Coalition 98.0% TPP (2025)33.1 km away
- KentuckyLabor 30.9% · Coalition 69.1% TPP (2025)42.5 km away
- NowendocLabor 18.6% · Coalition 81.4% TPP (2025)46.1 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)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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 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.