Dubbo vs Lachlan

Dubbo and Lachlan are two distinct regional areas in New South Wales. Dubbo is more walkable, with 82.9% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport compared to just 27.9% in Lachlan. Dubbo also has a much larger First Nations population, with 7,079 people, and this group sees higher outcomes, including a Year 12 completion rate of 33.8% and a typical household income of $1,619. In contrast, Lachlan's First Nations population is smaller and faces more challenges, with an unemployment rate of 14.6% and a typical household income of $1,194.

These differences in accessibility and income stand out even though both areas share a similar mean terrain slope of around 3%. The gap in walkability is widening, as Dubbo is now rated as somewhat walkable while Lachlan remains mostly car-dependent. While both areas have parks within reach of many residents, Dubbo has a far higher share of homes within a 15-minute walk of a school and public transport.