🔍

Coolah

NSW 2843 • Rest of NSW

1,262
Population (2021)
$60,424
Median Household Income
1590.92 km²
Area
$170/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableHistoric

About Coolah

Coolah is a small country town in the central-western tablelands of New South Wales, located in Warrumbungle Shire approximately 400 kilometres north-west of Sydney. Sitting at an elevation of 575 metres on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, the town serves as a service centre for surrounding farming properties and is often described as the 'gateway to the Warrumbungle National Park and northern tablelands'. With a population of around 1,264 residents, Coolah has a compact town centre, a strong agricultural heritage, and an active community spirit that belies its modest size.

Coolah offers a relaxed bush lifestyle with a surprising range of local amenities for a town of its size, including a pub, bakery, supermarket, medical centre, primary and secondary schools, and the Pandora Gallery visitor centre. The surrounding region provides excellent opportunities for farming, particularly sheep, cattle, and wheat, and the area is centrally positioned between Dubbo (130 km south-west), Tamworth (180 km north-east), Mudgee (110 km south-east), and Gunnedah (130 km north). Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to the nearby Coolah Tops National Park, featuring dramatic rocky escarpments, Aboriginal rock art, and sweeping views across the tablelands.

Coolah falls under postcode 2843 and is governed by Warrumbungle Shire Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barwon electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2843
Urban Area
Coonabarabran - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Warrumbungle Shire
Federal Electorate
Parkes
State Electorate
Barwon
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.78°, 149.79°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1590.92 km²
Elevation
575m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$350K
29 sales · ▼ 5.4% 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)
$170
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,000
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
47 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.5%

6 state housing + 9 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach — Dubbo / Tamworth connections Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
400 km
By Train
No direct train; NSW TrainLink coach connections via Dubbo
By Car (Peak)
4.5-5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
4-4.5 hrs

🛣️ Primarily accessed via Castlereagh Highway; Dubbo is the nearest major regional centre (130 km)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Compact town centre is walkable for local errands; surrounding rural area requires a vehicle

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Old Police Station & Courthouse
74 Binnia Street Coolah • SHR #00048

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
497.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
205.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Non-DV assault
692.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 4.0%
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
205.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
View all 62 offence types for Warrumbungle Shire →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,290
Census 2021
1,262
▼ 2.2% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,896
Personal Income 2021
$30,940
▲ 19.5% 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
$30,940 / yr
$595/wk
Household
$60,424 / yr
$1162/wk
Family
$76,960 / yr
$1480/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 976
Born Overseas 71

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 35
  • 2. New Zealand 8
  • 3. Philippines 6
  • 4. United States 5
  • 5. Germany 4
  • 6. Scotland 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 536
Australian 504
Irish 118
Scottish 115
Australian Aboriginal 93
German 45
Italian 8
Maltese 8
Maori 6
Welsh 6

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

880
Both parents born in Australia
89
Both parents born overseas
74
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
62.3%
No Religion
19.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
68 (5.4%)
5-14 years
152 (12.0%)
15-19 years
82 (6.5%)
20-24 years
46 (3.6%)
25-34 years
123 (9.7%)
35-44 years
110 (8.7%)
45-54 years
152 (12.0%)
55-64 years
185 (14.7%)
65-74 years
161 (12.8%)
75-84 years
132 (10.5%)
85+ years
44 (3.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Coolah NSW located? +

Coolah is a small town in central-western NSW, approximately 400 km north-west of Sydney. It sits in Warrumbungle Shire, centrally positioned between Dubbo, Tamworth, Mudgee, and Gunnedah.

What national park is near Coolah NSW? +

Coolah Tops National Park is located nearby, featuring rugged escarpments, Aboriginal rock art, and panoramic views across the central-western tablelands.

What services are available in Coolah? +

Coolah has a supermarket, pub, bakery, medical centre, primary and secondary schools, and the Pandora Gallery visitor centre, making it a self-contained service town for the surrounding rural district.

What is the population of Coolah NSW? +

Coolah has a population of approximately 1,264 residents according to the 2021 Census, serving as a hub for a wider rural district in Warrumbungle Shire.

What is the average income in Coolah? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Coolah is about $595 per week (around $30,900 per year). The median household income is $1,162 per week and the median family income is $1,480 per week.

What is the median house price in Coolah? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $350,000, down 5.4% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Coolah? +

The median age in Coolah is 47. The largest age group is 55–64 (185 residents, around 15%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 27% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Coolah a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Coolah is part of the Warrumbungle Shire 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 Coolah? +

Coolah had a population of 1,262 at the 2021 Census, down 2.2% from 1,290 in 2016.

How much is rent in Coolah? +

In Coolah, the median weekly rent is $170, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,000 (2021 Census).