🔍

Lake Cargelligo

NSW 2672 • Rest of NSW

1,430
Population (2021)
$60,216
Median Household Income
1788.76 km²
Area
$170/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAffordable

About Lake Cargelligo

Lake Cargelligo is a rural town in the Central West region of New South Wales, situated on the shores of the lake that shares its name, about 470 kilometres west of Sydney in Lachlan Shire. The town has a population of approximately 1,430 (2021 census) and serves as a hub for the surrounding farming district, with the lake itself covering up to 1,500 hectares and forming part of the Lachlan River water storage system. Established during a gold rush in the 1870s and proclaimed a town in 1918, Lake Cargelligo has deep historical roots and a proud rural heritage. The name is derived from the Wiradjuri language, the traditional owners of the land.

The town offers essential services including a hospital, supermarket, school, sporting facilities, and community hall, making it self-sufficient for everyday living despite its remote location. The surrounding district is driven by sheep, cattle, wheat farming, and some fruit and vegetable growing. Lake Cargelligo is known for its excellent fishing, water sports, and as a bird sanctuary that attracts nature enthusiasts from across the state. The community has a strong sporting culture and hosts regular local events that reflect the tight-knit character of outback NSW towns.

Lake Cargelligo falls under postcode 2672 and is governed by Lachlan Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barwon electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2672
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Lachlan
Federal Electorate
Parkes
State Electorate
Barwon
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.38°, 146.35°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1788.76 km²
Elevation
164m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$250K
29 sales · ▼ 16.7% 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)
$170
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$867
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
11%

34 state housing + 23 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Busways / NSW TrainLink coach — Condobolin / Dubbo / Sydney (coach connection) Condobolin ~1.5 hr; Sydney via Dubbo ~7 hr

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
470 km
By Car (Peak)
Approx 5 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx 5 hr

🛣️ Remote rural town; car is primary transport. Nearest regional hub is Condobolin (~90 km).

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact town centre is walkable; most residents use cars for longer trips

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
425.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
474.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Non-DV assault
588.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
785.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Lachlan →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,479
Census 2021
1,430
▼ 3.3% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,196
Personal Income 2021
$33,332
▲ 22.6% 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
$33,332 / yr
$641/wk
Household
$60,216 / yr
$1158/wk
Family
$76,284 / yr
$1467/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,153
Born Overseas 87

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Philippines 14
  • 2. China 12
  • 3. South Africa 12
  • 4. England 8
  • 5. India 7
  • 6. Fiji 5
  • 7. New Zealand 5
  • 8. Cambodia 4
  • 9. Germany 3
  • 10. Ireland 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 600
English 437
Australian Aboriginal 240
Scottish 131
Irish 107
German 43
Indian 16
Chinese 15
Italian 11
Dutch 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,088
Both parents born in Australia
93
Both parents born overseas
73
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
63.3%
No Religion
21.8%
Hinduism
0.6%
Buddhism
0.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
96 (6.7%)
5-14 years
215 (15.0%)
15-19 years
69 (4.8%)
20-24 years
62 (4.3%)
25-34 years
162 (11.3%)
35-44 years
178 (12.4%)
45-54 years
159 (11.1%)
55-64 years
181 (12.7%)
65-74 years
167 (11.7%)
75-84 years
90 (6.3%)
85+ years
44 (3.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Lake Cargelligo? +

Lake Cargelligo is a rural town in central western NSW, about 470 km west of Sydney in Lachlan Shire, situated on the banks of the lake of the same name.

What is Lake Cargelligo known for? +

The town is known for its scenic lake (a wildlife sanctuary and fishing destination), its rural agricultural heritage, and as a service centre for the surrounding farming community.

Is there a school in Lake Cargelligo? +

Yes, Lake Cargelligo Central School is a K–12 government school serving the town and surrounding region.

What is the population of Lake Cargelligo? +

Lake Cargelligo had a population of approximately 1,430 people at the 2021 census, down slightly from 1,479 in 2016.

How do I get to Lake Cargelligo from Sydney? +

The most practical route is by car, taking approximately 5.5 hours via Forbes and Condobolin. NSW TrainLink coach services also connect to larger regional centres.

What is the average income in Lake Cargelligo? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Lake Cargelligo is about $641 per week (around $33,300 per year). The median household income is $1,158 per week and the median family income is $1,467 per week.

What is the median house price in Lake Cargelligo? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $250,000, down 16.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Lake Cargelligo? +

The median age in Lake Cargelligo is 40. The largest age group is 5–14 (215 residents, around 15%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Lake Cargelligo a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Lake Cargelligo is part of the Lachlan 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 Lake Cargelligo? +

In Lake Cargelligo, the median weekly rent is $170, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $867 (2021 Census).