Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Wilcannia suburb profile
Wilcannia, NSW · Postcode 2836
This Wilcannia suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Wilcannia, NSW (postcode 2836). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Wilcannia with nearby suburbs.
Wilcannia at a glance
Population
735
Median rent
$155/wk
Household income
$1,211/wk
Median age
32
Wilcannia trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
-1.3% over 10 years
Population
735
was 745 in 2016
-10 · -1.3%
Median rent
$155/wk
was $110/wk in 2016
+$45 · +40.9%
Household income
$1,211/wk
was $989/wk in 2016
+$222 · +22.4%
Median age
32
was 33 in 2016
-1 · -3%
Dig deeper: Wilcannia population growth · Wilcannia then and now
Wilcannia vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for Wilcannia, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-63.1% vs area
- Wilcannia$155/wk
- Nearby$190/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-34.3% vs area
- Wilcannia$1,211/wk
- Nearby$1,557/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
-20% vs area
- Wilcannia32
- Nearby35.5
- NSW40
Personal income
-35.1% vs area
- Wilcannia$524/wk
- Nearby$834/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How Wilcannia compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Wilcannia ranks among Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 1756.4
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 1840.2
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 1786.6
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 4952.5
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Wilcannia on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Wilcannia, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Wilcannia people
- Population
- 735
- Median age
- 32
- Born overseas
- 1.9%
- Average household size
- 2.8
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Wilcannia income
- Median household income
- $1,211/wk
- Median personal income
- $524/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Wilcannia housing
- Median rent
- $155/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,350/mo
- Separate houses
- 60.4%
- Flats & apartments
- 1.1%
- Owned outright
- 19.8%
- Mortgaged
- 4.5%
- Rented
- 36.9%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 28%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Wilcannia work
- Employment to population
- 31.9%
- Unemployment rate
- 7.1%
- Year 12 or above
- 19.3%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2836)
Compare Wilcannia with nearby suburbs
Wilcannia in numbers
Wilcannia had 735 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 32, 22% below the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.8 people. 1.9% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 19.8% own their home outright, 4.5% are paying a mortgage, 36.9% rent. Separate houses make up 60.4% of dwellings, with 1.1% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $155/wk, 61% below the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $1,211/wk, 33% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 7.1%. 19.3% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 1 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population fell 1.3% (from 745 to 735). Median rent moved from $110/wk to $155/wk (+40.9%).
Wilcannia suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Wilcannia, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in Wilcannia was $155/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Wilcannia, NSW?
- Wilcannia had 735 residents at the 2021 Census, down 1.3% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Wilcannia?
- Median household income in Wilcannia was $1,211/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Wilcannia?
- 36.9% of occupied homes in Wilcannia were rented, 19.8% were owned outright and 4.5% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Wilcannia suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Wilcannia. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology