🔍

Broken Hill

NSW 2880 • Rest of NSW

17,706
Population (2021)
$61,152
Median Household Income
13040.19 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
Outback TownMining HeritageArts CommunityUnique Character

About Broken Hill

Broken Hill is Australia's most iconic outback mining city, a remote settlement of over 17,000 people where the desert begins and the famous silver-lead-zinc mines have operated since 1883. Located closer to Adelaide than Sydney, it runs on South Australian time and has a frontier character unique in NSW. The heritage streetscapes and Palace Hotel are cinematically famous.

Argent Street provides country-town shopping, while the art scene is remarkable—Pro Hart's legacy and the desert light have attracted artists for decades. The Sculpture Symposium and regenerated mine sites offer unique tourism. Broken Hill attracts mining workers, artists, history enthusiasts, and those seeking genuinely unique Australian living. It's outback Australia at its most characterful—remote, historic, and utterly distinctive.

Broken Hill falls under postcode 2880 and is governed by Broken Hill Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barwon electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2880
Urban Area
Broken Hill
LGA / Council
Broken Hill
Federal Electorate
Parkes
State Electorate
Barwon
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.35°, 141.63°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
13040.19 km²
Elevation
127m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$216K
615 sales · ▲ 6.7% vs 2024

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)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$867
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.6%

116 state housing + 72 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Sydney CBD 2724-3632 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
908 km
By Train
Approximately 2270 min to Sydney CBD (Central) by train
By Car (Peak)
2+ hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5+ hours

🛣️ Located 908 km west of Sydney CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    7 Gossan Street Broken Hill North 2880 NSW
  • Woolworths
    Westside Plaza, 7 Galena Street Broken Hill 2880 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 18 heritage-listed places in or near Broken Hill, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

St Josephs Convent, Chapel & Site (former)
Sulphide Street, Broken Hill • SHR #00484
Broken Hill Synagogue
165 Wolfram Street Broken Hill • SHR #00675
Seppelts Warehouse
160 Crystal Street Broken Hill • SHR #00082
Mount Wood Station
Sturt National Park • SHR #01001
Trades Hall
34 Sulphide Street Broken Hill • SHR #00181
Broken Hill Railway Station and yard group
Broken Hill railway, Broken Hill • SHR #01101
Walter Sully Emporium
404-408 Argent Street Broken Hill • SHR #00690
Palace Hotel
227 Argent Street Broken Hill • SHR #00335
Day Dream Smelter
Por. PML 2, Broken Hill • SHR #00182
Kinchega Woolshed
15km south-west of Menindee • SHR #00995
Broken Hill Post Office
258-260 Argent Street Broken Hill • SHR #01423
Central Mine Manager's Residence, former
Piper Street, South Broken Hill • SHR #01770
Albert Goldfield/Warratta Town (within Sturt National Park)
Tibooburra • SHR #00975
BHP Chimney Ruin of First Offices
Part of Consolidated Mining Lease 7 East of corner of Gaffney and Oxide Streets, Proprietary Square Broken Hill • SHR #01820
Broken Hill Mosque
Buck Street, Broken Hill • SHR #01819
Wesley Uniting Church and Hall Group
Cobalt Street, Broken Hill • SHR #01818
1915 Picnic Train Attack and White Rocks Reserve
Broken Hill • SHR #02002
Wilcannia Post Office and Post Master’s Residence
45 Reid St, Wilcannia • SHR #02033

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
706.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.9%
Motor vehicle theft
182.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
667 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
5.7 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
621.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 4.6%
View all 62 offence types for Broken Hill →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
17,814
Census 2021
17,706
▼ 0.6% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,456
Personal Income 2021
$33,800
▲ 23.1% 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
$33,800 / yr
$650/wk
Household
$61,152 / yr
$1176/wk
Family
$84,604 / yr
$1627/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 15,217
Born Overseas 909

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Philippines 201
  • 2. England 141
  • 3. New Zealand 73
  • 4. India 70
  • 5. Germany 35
  • 6. United States 27
  • 7. Italy 25
  • 8. Malta 22
  • 9. Scotland 22
  • 10. China 18

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 7,647
English 6,692
Australian Aboriginal 1,630
Irish 1,598
Scottish 1,509
German 802
Italian 537
Maltese 264
Filipino 254
Dutch 111

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

13,762
Both parents born in Australia
1,220
Both parents born overseas
1,101
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.2%
Christianity
39.2%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.0%
Judaism
0.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
974 (5.5%)
5-14 years
2,040 (11.5%)
15-19 years
976 (5.5%)
20-24 years
898 (5.1%)
25-34 years
2,187 (12.4%)
35-44 years
1,901 (10.7%)
45-54 years
2,030 (11.5%)
55-64 years
2,586 (14.6%)
65-74 years
2,238 (12.6%)
75-84 years
1,281 (7.2%)
85+ years
592 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Broken Hill known for? +

Broken Hill is a well-established residential suburb in Broken Hill, NSW, known for its mix of housing types, local schools, and community facilities. The suburb has a population of approximately 17,706 residents and forms part of the broader Rest of NSW region.

How far is Broken Hill from Sydney CBD? +

Broken Hill is approximately 908 kilometres from Sydney CBD, typically a 1.5+ hours drive under normal traffic conditions. The suburb is a significant distance from the city and is oriented towards its local regional centre rather than the capital CBD.

Does Broken Hill have public transport? +

Broken Hill is served by local bus services connecting residents to the broader metropolitan network. The nearest train station provides connections to Sydney CBD.

What is the population of Broken Hill? +

According to the 2021 Census, Broken Hill has a population of approximately 17,706 residents. The suburb is a significant residential area within the Broken Hill district.

Is Broken Hill a good place to live? +

Broken Hill appeals to families, professionals, and established residents who value its range of local amenities, schools, and community facilities. With a median taxable income of around $48,991, it attracts a mix of household types. Like most NSW suburbs, lifestyle quality depends on proximity to work and preferred amenities.

What is the postcode for Broken Hill? +

The postcode for Broken Hill, NSW is 2880.

What is the average income in Broken Hill? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Broken Hill is about $650 per week (around $33,800 per year). The median household income is $1,176 per week and the median family income is $1,627 per week.

What is the median house price in Broken Hill? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $215,500, up 6.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Broken Hill? +

The median age in Broken Hill is 44. The largest age group is 55–64 (2,586 residents, around 15%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Broken Hill a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Broken Hill is part of the Broken Hill 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 Broken Hill? +

In Broken Hill, the median weekly rent is $220, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $867 (2021 Census).