Council (LGA) · Area profile
Bourke
41,598 km²
A strong First Nations presence defines Bourke, where about 30.3% of the population is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. The community is notably young, with a typical age of 37 and a high proportion of children. While the population has shrunk by 18% since 2011, the area remains a rural hub with a distinct identity. It is a place where large family homes and a deep connection to the land shape daily life in regional New South Wales.
Bourke's schools draw a less advantaged community than the area overall.
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The typical resident is 37, which is much lower than most areas. Children under 15 make up 22.0% of the population, a figure well above the national average, while those in de facto relationships are also much more common here than elsewhere.
The community is predominantly Australian and English in ancestry, with very few people born overseas at 4.6%. This is far below the New South Wales figure of 29.3%.
English is the primary language for the vast majority, and only 4.0% of residents use another language at home, which is far below the national figure.
Most residents identify as Christian (57.7%), though the number of people reporting no religion rose 12 points since 2011 to 20.9%.
Year 12 completion is much lower than most areas at 35.5%. However, there is a high number of schools per 1,000 children compared to other similar areas.
Typical weekly household income is $1,559, which is a little below the state average. Personal incomes have risen since 2011, with the typical weekly amount now $862.
Residents report fewer long-term health conditions (23.5%) and lower rates of mental health conditions (5.9%) than most other areas.
Volunteer rates are a little above the state average at 15.1%, although this is down 9.1 points since 2011. Unpaid care for children and housework is much less common than in most areas.
First Nations residents are noticeably older than those in the rest of the state, with a typical age of 29. The unemployment rate for this group is 7.1%, which is well below the national figure.
Homes tend to be larger, with 2.5 people per dwelling. One-parent families are much more common here than in most areas, making up 19.1% of households.
Separate houses are very common, accounting for 92.6% of homes. Rents are much lower than the national average, with a typical weekly rent of $180.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, as 0.0% of people commute by public transport. About 10.2% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is a little above the national figure.
The community is relatively stable, with only 25.8% of people moving in the last five years. This is far below the national figure of 40.7%.
Full-time employment is very high at 71.1%, far above the state average. Many residents work in agriculture, public administration, or education.
The area is rated as having high education and job skills, though it ranks lower for general access to money and resources.
Bourke is hot and dry, with an average maximum temperature of 28.6°C and annual rainfall of 352mm, both of which are well below state averages.
Recorded offences per 100,000 people are among the highest at this level, particularly for assault, burglary, and property damage.
The area is considered somewhat walkable, and while it has many amenities per resident, only 28.1% of homes are within a 10-minute walk of public transport.