Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Narrabri
180 km²
Most people in Narrabri get around by car and live in detached houses, reflecting a traditional country town character. It is a community with a strong First Nations presence, which is far above the national figure. The area is home to a balanced mix of ages, including a high proportion of children and a growing number of seniors. While the population has stayed steady at around 6,900 people, the town is marked by a high rate of full-time employment and a strong spirit of volunteering.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 15.6% of the population, a figure that has risen since 2011 and is far above the state and national averages. The community also has a high proportion of children under 15 and seniors over 65.
The area is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with only 5% of people born overseas, which is far below the national figure. English is the most common ancestry after Australian.
English is the primary language for the vast majority, and the 3.3% who use another language at home is much lower than most areas. Very few residents speak little or no English.
About 59.2% of residents identify as Christian. The number of people reporting no religion has risen significantly since 2011 to 31.0%, though this remains well below the national average.
Educational qualifications are lower than in most areas, with only 12% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is reflected in the fact that Year 12 completion is far below the national average, though it has risen since 2011.
Typical family income is about $2,040 a week, which is similar to the state and national figures. While typical household income is a little below the national average, the number of households earning over $3,000 a week has risen since 2011.
Residents experience more long-term health conditions than most areas, with 32.9% reporting one. This is well above the national figure, and 6.2% of people need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, though the rate has fallen since 2011. About 11.9% of people provide unpaid care.
Narrabri has one of the largest First Nations populations at this level. The community is relatively young, with a typical age of 22, though Year 12 completion is well below the national average.
One-parent families are much more common here than in most areas. There is also a higher-than-average number of people living alone.
Detached houses are the norm for 86.5% of residents, and homes are often large, with 78.1% having three or more bedrooms. Weekly rent is much lower than the national figure at $260.
Cars are the primary way to get to work for 68.2% of people, which is consistent with very low public transport use. Working from home is also far less common than across the state.
The community is relatively stable, with fewer people moving in the last five years compared to most areas. However, there has been a rise in recent arrivals from overseas.
Full-time employment is much higher here than in most areas, and the unemployment rate is lower than the national figure. Many residents work in health care, retail, or mining.
The area is ranked lower than most similar areas for overall advantage and access to resources. Population growth has been slightly negative since 2021.
The climate is hotter than the state average, with a typical maximum temperature of 27.4 degrees. Annual rainfall is also a little above the New South Wales average.
The town is considered somewhat walkable, but it is far below the state average for access to parks, schools, and groceries within a 15-minute walk.