🔍

Parkes

NSW 2870 • Rest of NSW

11,324
Population (2021)
$72,852
Median Household Income
983.11 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
The DishElvis FestivalCountry TownCentral West

About Parkes

Parkes sits at the crossroads of Australia, where the Newell and Mitchell Highways meet about 360 kilometres west of Sydney. This central-western town of roughly 11,300 residents is famous for the Dish - the radio telescope that received Apollo 11's moon landing footage. The annual Elvis Festival has also put it on the map.

Beyond the tourist attractions, Parkes functions as a practical rural service centre. Farming families depend on its facilities, while retirees appreciate the affordable country lifestyle. The community is genuinely friendly in that unselfconscious country way - people wave to strangers and stop to chat. The Elvis Festival reveals the town's capacity for fun, but year-round it's simply a pleasant country town doing country town things well.

Parkes falls under postcode 2870 and is governed by Parkes Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Orange electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2870
Urban Area
Parkes
LGA / Council
Parkes
Federal Electorate
Parkes
State Electorate
Orange
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.12°, 148.26°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
983.11 km²
Elevation
323m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$455K
276 sales · ▲ 0.6% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$585K
24 sales · ▲ 77.3% 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)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5%

174 state housing + 39 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Sydney CBD 858-1144 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
286 km
By Train
Approximately 715 min to Sydney CBD (Central) by train
By Car (Peak)
2+ hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5+ hours

🛣️ Located 286 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
    Bogan Street Parkes 2870 NSW
  • Woolworths
    299 Clarinda Street Parkes 2870 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Parkes, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Parkes Railway Station group
May Street Parkes • SHR #01220
Parkes Post Office
39 Currajong Street Parkes • SHR #00717

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
491.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
435.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 8.0%
Non-DV assault
814.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
7 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
484.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Parkes →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
11,408
Census 2021
11,324
▼ 0.7% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,264
Personal Income 2021
$38,012
▲ 25.6% 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
$38,012 / yr
$731/wk
Household
$72,852 / yr
$1401/wk
Family
$96,876 / yr
$1863/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 9,831
Born Overseas 674

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 107
  • 2. Philippines 79
  • 3. New Zealand 71
  • 4. South Africa 46
  • 5. China 29
  • 6. Nepal 28
  • 7. India 22
  • 8. Netherlands 21
  • 9. Scotland 21
  • 10. Fiji 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 5,133
English 4,660
Australian Aboriginal 1,343
Irish 1,200
Scottish 961
German 413
Italian 154
Dutch 139
Filipino 100
Chinese 85

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

8,866
Both parents born in Australia
855
Both parents born overseas
812
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
63.1%
No Religion
27.9%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
731 (6.5%)
5-14 years
1,609 (14.2%)
15-19 years
705 (6.2%)
20-24 years
681 (6.0%)
25-34 years
1,339 (11.8%)
35-44 years
1,265 (11.2%)
45-54 years
1,317 (11.6%)
55-64 years
1,417 (12.5%)
65-74 years
1,145 (10.1%)
75-84 years
783 (6.9%)
85+ years
341 (3.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Parkes known for? +

Parkes is a well-established residential suburb in Parkes, NSW, known for its mix of housing types, local schools, and community facilities. The suburb has a population of approximately 11,324 residents and forms part of the broader Rest of NSW region.

How far is Parkes from Sydney CBD? +

Parkes is approximately 286 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 Parkes have public transport? +

Parkes 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 Parkes? +

According to the 2021 Census, Parkes has a population of approximately 11,324 residents. The suburb is a significant residential area within the Parkes district.

Is Parkes a good place to live? +

Parkes 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 $45,063, 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 Parkes? +

The postcode for Parkes, NSW is 2870.

What is the average income in Parkes? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Parkes is about $731 per week (around $38,000 per year). The median household income is $1,401 per week and the median family income is $1,863 per week.

What is the median house price in Parkes? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $455,000, up 0.6% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $585,000, up 77.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Parkes? +

The median age in Parkes is 39. The largest age group is 5–14 (1,609 residents, around 14%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Parkes a safe area? +

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

In Parkes, the median weekly rent is $260, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).