Walgett · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A population drop of 2.7% since 2021 marks a difficult period for Walgett, where growth is well below the New South Wales figure of 6.1%. This decline comes as the area faces significant hardship, with an overall advantage score of 896 that is smaller than about 85% of similar areas.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Walgett — lower than 86% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
People in Walgett have limited access to money and resources, scoring 2 out of 10. This is smaller than about 80% of other areas and reflects a broader struggle with disadvantage across the region.
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.
4
Lower than 64% 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.
896
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 has fallen by 2.7% since 2021, which is among the lowest growth rates for similar areas and far below the state's 6.1% increase.
5,437
Lower than 67% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
-2.7%
Lower than 98% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 740 businesses operating in the area, which is smaller than about 63% of similar places. Very few new homes are being built, with only 5 dwellings approved.
740
Lower than 63% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
5
Lower than 80% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Walgett [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA17900/walgett/topic/economy-advantage
