🔍

Backwater

NSW 2365 • New South Wales

19
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
126.35 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAffordable
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About Backwater

Backwater is a sparsely populated rural locality on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, situated approximately 25 kilometres north-west of Guyra and within the New England region. With only around 19 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, Backwater covers a large area of approximately 126 square kilometres of high-altitude grazing land. The locality sits at elevations exceeding 1,200 metres, making it one of the coldest rural areas in New South Wales, subject to frosts and occasional snowfall in winter.

The community in Backwater consists primarily of farming families engaged in sheep and cattle grazing, taking advantage of the fertile basalt soils and reliable rainfall of the New England Tablelands. There are no commercial services within the locality; residents travel to Guyra or Armidale for supplies, schools, and medical care. The dramatic highland scenery, clean air, and solitude attract a small number of rural lifestyle seekers looking for an alternative to coastal or urban living.

Backwater falls under postcode 2365 and is governed by the Armidale Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Parkes, while state elections fall under the Northern Tablelands electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2365
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Armidale
Federal Electorate
Parkes
State Electorate
Northern Tablelands
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.12°, 151.67°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
126.35 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2365

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2365, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$31,350
Median 2023–24
$43,384
▲ 38.4% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$47,355

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2365; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
500 km
By Train
No rail; closest services at Armidale (coach/air)
By Car (Peak)
25-30 min to Guyra; 40-50 min to Armidale; 6 hours to Sydney
By Car (Off-Peak)
25 min to Guyra

🛣️ Car essential; New England Highway passes through nearby Guyra

Walkability Car-Dependent

Remote rural highland locality with no services or public transport

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
19
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Armidale Local Government Area, which contains Backwater. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
843.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
337.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 5.3%
Non-DV assault
684.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
13.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
448.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 13.7%
View all 62 offence types for Armidale →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Backwater NSW? +

Backwater is a small rural locality on the Northern Tablelands of NSW, about 25 km north-west of Guyra and within the New England region.

What is the population of Backwater NSW? +

Backwater had just 19 residents according to the 2021 Census, making it one of the smallest localities in New South Wales.

What is the climate like in Backwater NSW? +

Backwater sits at high altitude on the New England Tablelands, experiencing cool summers and cold winters with regular frosts and occasional snowfall.

Is Backwater a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Backwater is part of the Armidale LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

What is the population of Backwater? +

Backwater had a population of 19 at the 2021 Census.