Far West · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A score of 1 for access to money and resources marks Far West as one of the most disadvantaged areas in the country. Residents face significant hurdles with limited wealth and lower education levels compared to most other regions. This creates a challenging economic landscape for the 2,302 people living across the region.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Far West — lower than 86% of areas.
| Far West | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2880, NSW | 2 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Overall advantage is very low, with a score of 909 that is smaller than about 86% of other areas. This is reflected in the region's standing for job skills and access to resources, both of which are much lower than the national figures.
2
Lower than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
1
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
1
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
909
Lower than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 is among the smallest at this level and has shrunk by 1.2% since 2021. This decline is well below the New South Wales growth rate of 6.1%.
2,302
Lower than 92% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
-1.2%
Lower than 93% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Local commerce is limited, with only 339 businesses operating in the area. This is smaller than about 85% of similar regions.
339
Lower than 85% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Far West [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/105021098/far-west/topic/economy-advantage
