Barooga

NSW 3644 • Rest of NSW

1,888
Population (2021)
$71,500
Median Household Income
98.31 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
RuralRiversideAgriculturalPeaceful

About Barooga

Barooga is a rural locality on the Murray River in the Berrigan Shire of south-west New South Wales, situated on the NSW bank of the river directly opposite the Victorian town of Cobram. With a population of approximately 1,888 and a median age of 46, Barooga is a small, tight-knit agricultural community where farming — including fruit growing, irrigated crops, and cattle — forms the backbone of the local economy. The locality sits at an elevation of 118 metres in the flat Riverina-Murray region, about 280 kilometres north of Melbourne and 650 kilometres south-west of Sydney.

Barooga is best known for its position straddling the NSW-Victoria border with Cobram, effectively functioning as a twin town with shared services, schools, and sporting clubs across the Murray River. The river itself is a major lifestyle drawcard, offering swimming, fishing, water-skiing, and boating, and the area's sandy river beaches attract visitors from across the Riverina region. The Cobram-Barooga Golf Club and local sporting facilities serve as important community hubs, while Cobram's commercial centre provides supermarkets, medical services, and retail just across the bridge.

Barooga falls under postcode 3644 and is governed by Berrigan Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Murray electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
3644
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.91°, 145.70°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
98.31 km²
Elevation
118m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Barooga for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$550K
38 sales · ▲ 27.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$323K
6 sales · vs 2024 n/a

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,387
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.7%

0 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Regional bus connections via Cobram — Shepparton VIC / regional centres Approx. 1 hr to Shepparton

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
280 km
By Train
No direct rail; drive to Shepparton (~75 km) then V/Line to Melbourne (~2.5 hr) or drive directly (~3 hr)
By Car (Peak)
3-3.5 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5-3 hr

🛣️ Cobram is the functional twin town across the Murray; Hume Freeway via Shepparton is the main route to Melbourne

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Barooga is a rural locality where a car is essential; most services are accessed via Cobram across the Murray River bridge

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Barooga, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Vermont Street, Barooga • SHR #01972

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
173.1 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
196.2 / 100k
Non-DV assault
323.1 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
Steal from vehicle
92.3 / 100k

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,817
Census 2021
1,888
3.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,564
Personal Income 2021
$37,388
18.5% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$37,388 / yr
$719/wk
Household
$71,500 / yr
$1375/wk
Family
$91,624 / yr
$1762/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,623
Born Overseas 156

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 39
  • 2. New Zealand 12
  • 3. Netherlands 10
  • 4. India 9
  • 5. Scotland 8
  • 6. Italy 7
  • 7. Philippines 6
  • 8. Germany 5
  • 9. Chile 4
  • 10. Canada 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 849
Australian 759
Irish 264
Scottish 209
Italian 78
German 74
Australian Aboriginal 46
Dutch 24
Chinese 14
Filipino 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,419
Both parents born in Australia
208
Both parents born overseas
152
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.4%
No Religion
39.6%
Sikhism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
84 (4.4%)
5-14 years
215 (11.4%)
15-19 years
114 (6.0%)
20-24 years
66 (3.5%)
25-34 years
210 (11.1%)
35-44 years
190 (10.1%)
45-54 years
240 (12.7%)
55-64 years
269 (14.2%)
65-74 years
310 (16.4%)
75-84 years
140 (7.4%)
85+ years
40 (2.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barooga known for? +

Barooga is known for its location on the Murray River opposite Cobram, VIC, forming a popular twin-town community. The area is renowned for its sandy river beaches, fishing, water sports, the Cobram-Barooga Golf Club, and productive irrigated agricultural lands.

How far is Barooga from Melbourne? +

Barooga is approximately 280 kilometres north of Melbourne CBD, making it a 2.5 to 3.5 hour drive via the Hume Freeway and through Shepparton or Cobram.

Does Barooga have public transport? +

Barooga has very limited public transport. There is no direct rail service; the nearest V/Line rail connection is in Shepparton, approximately 75 kilometres to the south. Regional bus services provide some connectivity to nearby towns, but a private vehicle is essential.

What is the population of Barooga? +

According to the 2021 Census, Barooga has a population of approximately 1,888 residents. As a rural locality, its population is spread across a large area of 98 square kilometres along the Murray River floodplain.

Is Barooga a good place to live? +

Barooga offers a peaceful, affordable rural lifestyle on the Murray River, with strong community spirit and easy access to Cobram's services just across the river. It suits families, retirees, and those who value wide open spaces, the river lifestyle, and a slower pace of life far from major cities.

What is the postcode for Barooga? +

The postcode for Barooga, NSW is 3644.

What is the average income in Barooga? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Barooga is about $719 per week (around $37,400 per year). The median household income is $1,375 per week and the median family income is $1,762 per week.

What is the median house price in Barooga? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $550,000, up 27.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $322,500. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Barooga? +

The median age in Barooga is 46. The largest age group is 65–74 (310 residents, around 16%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 26% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Barooga a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Barooga is part of the Berrigan 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.

How much is rent in Barooga? +

In Barooga, the median weekly rent is $260, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,387 (2021 Census).