# Gilgandra

Council (LGA) · Area profile

Located in: New South Wales › Rest of NSW

Area: 4,832 km²

A strong First Nations presence and an ageing population define Gilgandra, where 14.5% of residents identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. The community is noticeably older than the national average, with the typical resident aged 46 and over a quarter of the population aged 65 or over. This is a predominantly Australian-born community where most people live in large, separate houses. While the population has shrunk slightly since 2011, there has been a recent increase in arrivals from overseas.

## Demographics & Identity

The area has a much higher proportion of First Nations people than most others, sitting 11 points above the national figure. It is an older community, with 24.2% of people aged 65 and over, a figure that has risen 3.5 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 4,295 | -1.7% since 2011 |
| Median age | 46 yrs | +4.5% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 14.5% | +18.2% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 24.2% | +16.9% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 19.1% | -4.2% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 10.0% | +20.4% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Older adults (45–64) 27.6%, Seniors (65+) 24.2%, Young adults (25–44) 20.6%, Children (0–14) 19.1%, Youth (15–24) 8.8%

**Marital status** — Married 48.6%, Never married 31.9%, Divorced 8.5%, Widowed 7.5%, Separated 3.5%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

People born overseas make up only 3.3% of the population, which is far below the national average of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 3.3% | -8.0% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 84.2%, England 1.0%, Philippines 0.5%, New Zealand 0.3%, India 0.3%, South Africa 0.2%, China 0.1%, Nepal 0.1%

**Ancestry** — Australian 43.9%, English 38.3%, Irish 10.8%, Scottish 9.4%, German 3.4%, Dutch 0.8%, Italian 0.8%, Filipino 0.7%, Chinese 0.4%, Indian 0.4%, Greek 0.3%

## Language

Language is very uniform here, with only 1.5% of people using a language other than English at home. This is far below the national figure of 22.3%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 1.5% | -5.5% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 0.1% | -40.8% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 86.8%, Greek 0.1%, Cantonese 0.1%, Punjabi 0.1%, Mandarin 0.1%

## Religion

Christianity remains the most common faith at 61.8%, though the number of people reporting no religion rose by 14 points since 2011 to reach 24.7%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 24.7% | +140.4% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — Christianity 61.8%, No religion 24.7%, Not stated 13.0%, Buddhism 0.3%, Islam 0.1%, Hinduism 0.1%

## Education & Qualifications

Educational attainment is lower than in most areas, with only 31.3% of residents completing Year 12. This is far below the national figure of 58.8%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 31.3% | +15.4% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 10.8% | +43.7% since 2011 |
| Schools | 4 | — |
| Schools per 1,000 children | 4.87 | — |
| School enrolments | 554 | — |
| Average school size | 139 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 883 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 31.3%, Year 10 31.1%, Year 9 or below 17.8%, Year 11 5.9%

**Highest qualification level** — Certificate III / IV 36.5%, Bachelor degree 16.4%, Advanced diploma / diploma 10.7%, Certificate I / II 2.3%, Postgraduate degree 2.1%, Graduate diploma / certificate 1.4%

**Field of qualification** — Engineering & related 13.1%, Health 10.5%, Management & commerce 10.3%, Education 9.7%, Society & culture 9.5%, Agriculture & environment 8.2%, Architecture & building 4.0%, Food, hospitality & personal services 3.7%, Creative arts 1.9%, Natural & physical sciences 0.6%, Information technology 0.4%

## Income

Incomes are much lower than the national average, with a typical weekly household income of $1,149. Only 8.8% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $632 | +51.2% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $1,149 | +49.0% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $1,384 | +48.5% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 5.3% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 8.8% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $650–$1,499 32.6%, Under $650 24.0%, $1,500–$2,999 22.9%, $3,000–$3,999 5.1%, $4,000 or more 3.6%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 43.8%, $650–$1,499 30.0%, $1,500–$2,999 9.7%, $3,000 or more 1.9%

## Health & Disability

Health challenges are more common here, as 32.1% of people have a long-term health condition. This is well above the national figure, and 7.1% of residents need help with daily activities.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 32.1% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 8.2% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 7.1% | +18.3% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Arthritis 12.1%, Asthma 9.4%, Mental health 8.2%, Other condition 7.8%, Heart disease 5.7%, Diabetes 5.3%, Cancer 3.7%, Lung condition 2.4%, Stroke 1.1%, Dementia 0.6%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 53.9%, One condition 20.8%, Two conditions 7.2%, Three or more 4.2%

## Community Participation

The area has a high rate of volunteering at 21.5%, which is well above the national figure of 14.1%. Unpaid care is also more common, with 13.2% of people providing support to others.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 21.5% | -25.6% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 13.2% | +4.6% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 25.4% | -2.9% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 2.1% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 23.7% | -16.0% since 2011 |

## First Nations

First Nations residents face significant challenges, with an unemployment rate of 15.7% and a typical household income of $1,080, both of which are well below national figures.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 621 | — |
| First Nations median age | 27 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 24.1% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 15.7% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $484 | — |
| First Nations household income | $1,080 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 1.9% | — |

## Family & Households

One-parent families are much more common here than in most areas, making up 19.3% of households. About 30% of people live alone.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.3 | -4.2% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 19.3% | +12.5% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 29.9% | +8.2% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 46.1%, Couples without children 33.6%, One-parent families 19.3%, Other families 1.2%

**Household size** — 2 people 38.0%, 1 person 29.9%, 3 people 13.0%, 4 people 10.3%, 5 people 6.6%, 6 or more 2.2%

## Housing & Dwellings

Housing is dominated by separate houses, which make up 92.7% of all dwellings. Outright home ownership is high at 40.9%, and typical weekly rents are far below the national figure at $200.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $200 | +60.0% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $1,083 | +13.6% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.70 | -36.4% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 23.9% | -11.7% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 40.9% | -4.4% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 92.7% | +1.5% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 76.2% | +0.9% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Owned outright 40.9%, Owned with a mortgage 25.1%, Rented 23.9%, Other tenure 6.3%, Not stated 3.4%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 92.7%, Flat or apartment 3.2%, Townhouse / semi-detached 2.6%, Other dwelling 1.4%

**Bedrooms per home** — 3 bedrooms 40.1%, 4 bedrooms 29.3%, 2 bedrooms 16.6%, 5 or more 6.9%, 1 bedroom 3.6%, Studio / none 0.6%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $200–$349 47.9%, Under $200 42.4%, $350–$549 2.6%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — Under $1,000 43.1%, $1,000–$1,799 30.4%, $1,800–$2,999 9.7%, $3,000 or more 8.0%

## Transport & Vehicles

The community is heavily reliant on cars, with 56.4% of people driving to work. Public transport use is very low, and there are far fewer transport stops than in most other areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 6.4% | -14.9% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 17.6% | +2.8% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 0.9% | +9.0% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 2 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 0.47 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 4.2 | — |
| Public transport routes | 5 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 56.4%, Worked at home 17.6%, Walked 6.6%, Car (passenger) 3.7%, Bus 0.9%, Bicycle 0.4%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 2 vehicles 37.3%, 1 vehicle 31.5%, 3 vehicles 16.7%, 4 or more 8.5%, No vehicle 6.4%

## Migration & Movement

While only 24.5% of people moved in the last five years, there has been a rise in recent arrivals from overseas, now making up 17.6% of the population.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 24.5% | -15.8% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 17.6% | +42.7% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

Full-time employment is higher than the national average at 61.2%, with many people working in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | -23.4% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 54.2% | -3.0% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 61.2% | -3.4% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Agriculture, forestry & fishing 27.5%, Health care & social assistance 12.9%, Education & training 9.8%, Public administration & safety 8.0%, Retail trade 7.8%, Construction 5.1%, Accommodation & food 4.9%, Transport & warehousing 3.4%, Other services 3.1%, Professional & technical 2.5%, Manufacturing 1.9%, Administrative & support 1.8%, Electricity, gas & water 1.5%, Wholesale trade 1.1%, Finance & insurance 0.8%, Arts & recreation 0.7%, Mining 0.5%, Media & telecommunications 0.4%, Rental & real estate 0.3%

**Occupations people work in** — Managers 27.0%, Professionals 13.7%, Community & personal service 12.3%, Labourers 11.4%, Technicians & trades 11.2%, Clerical & administrative 7.9%, Sales workers 7.4%, Machinery operators & drivers 6.8%

## Economy & Advantage

The area is ranked as having low overall advantage, scoring 3 out of 10. Population growth since 2021 has been -0.3%, which is well below the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile) | 3 | — |
| Socio-economic disadvantage (IRSD decile) | 3 | — |
| Economic resources (IER decile) | 3 | — |
| Education & occupation (IEO decile) | 4 | — |
| Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD score) | 913 | — |
| Population estimate | 4,304 | — |
| Population growth since 2021 | -0.3% | — |
| Businesses | 602 | — |
| Dwellings approved | 5 | — |

## Environment & Climate

Rainfall is higher than the state average, and maximum temperatures are slightly higher than the New South Wales figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average annual rainfall | 668 | — |
| Average maximum temperature | 25.6 | — |
| Average minimum temperature | 10.1 | — |

## Crime & Safety

Recorded offences are much higher than in most areas, with particularly high rates of assault, property damage, and motor vehicle theft.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Recorded offences per 100,000 | 13,574 | — |
| Assault & related rate | 1,863 | — |
| Sexual offences rate | 582 | — |
| Burglary (unlawful entry) rate | 582 | — |
| Theft rate | 885 | — |
| Motor vehicle theft rate | 815 | — |
| Property damage rate | 1,304 | — |
| Drug offences rate | 629 | — |
| Crime rate change (5 yr) | 10.8% | — |

## Walkability

The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 3.2. Many homes are far from essential services, with only 41.5% within a 15-minute walk of groceries.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 3.2 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 3.4 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 42.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 41.5% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 19.2% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 41.6% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 49.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 37.9% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 18.6 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 0 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 3.1% | — |

## Schools serving Gilgandra

4 schools, 554 students, average ICSEA 883.

By sector: Government 3, Catholic 1

By type: Primary 3, Secondary 1

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gilgandra Public School | Government | Primary | — | 198 |
| Gilgandra High School | Government | Secondary | — | 185 |
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Gilgandra | Catholic | Primary | — | 148 |
| Tooraweenah Public School | Government | Primary | — | 23 |

## Areas within Gilgandra

[Gilgandra](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/105031104/gilgandra)

## Nearby areas

[Dubbo Regional](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA12390/dubbo-regional) · [Warrumbungle Shire](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA18020/warrumbungle-shire) · [Narromine](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA15850/narromine) · [Warren](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA17950/warren) · [Coonamble](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA12150/coonamble) · [Mid-Western Regional](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA15270/mid-western-regional) · [Parkes](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA16200/parkes) · [Cabonne](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA11400/cabonne)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA12950/gilgandra