Broken Hill · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A shrinking population defines the recent economic trend in Broken Hill, with growth falling by 0.8% since 2021. This is well below the New South Wales increase of 6.1%. The area faces significant challenges, with a typical advantage score of 892, which is smaller than about 86% of similar areas.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Broken Hill — lower than 86% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents face a lack of resources, with a score of 2 for both overall advantage and education and job skills. These figures are smaller than about 80% of other areas at this level.
2
Lower than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
2
Lower than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
2
Lower than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
2
Lower than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
892
Lower than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population stands at 17,515, making it larger than about 56% of similar areas. However, the recent 0.8% drop in residents is among the lowest growth rates for this level.
17,515
Higher than 55% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
-0.8%
Lower than 90% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 941 businesses operating here, a figure smaller than about 58% of similar areas. This limited commercial activity is reflected in the 30 approved dwellings, which is also smaller than about 58% of these areas.
941
Lower than 58% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
30
Lower than 58% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Broken Hill [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA11250/broken-hill/topic/economy-advantage
