🔍

The Rock

NSW 2655 • Rest of NSW

1,347
Population (2021)
$70,616
Median Household Income
286.54 km²
Area
$245/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAffordable LivingNature ReserveAgricultural

About The Rock

The Rock is a small Riverina town with a population of approximately 1,350, located 32 kilometres southwest of Wagga Wagga on the Olympic Highway in the Lockhart Shire. Named after the prominent rocky hill (called Kengal by the Wiradjuri people) that overlooks the town, it has served as a rural service centre since the 1880s. The town has a strong agricultural character with wheat, sheep, and cattle farming dominating the surrounding landscape.

The Rock Hill Nature Reserve is the town main attraction, offering bushwalking trails, rock climbing, and wildlife observation in a 365-hectare reserve home to endangered species. The town has essential services including a primary school, general store, pub, and sporting facilities. The Rock appeals to rural families, retirees seeking affordable country living, and commuters who work in nearby Wagga Wagga while enjoying the tight-knit community atmosphere of a small country town.

The Rock falls under postcode 2655 and is governed by Lockhart Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wagga Wagga electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2655
Urban Area
Upper Murray
LGA / Council
Lockhart
Federal Electorate
Riverina
State Electorate
Wagga Wagga
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.27°, 147.12°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
286.54 km²
Elevation
220m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$426K
24 sales · ▲ 0.3% 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)
$245
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.7%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

The Rock
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Wagga Wagga, Albury 25-60 min

Commute to Wagga Wagga

Distance
32 km
By Train
25 min (limited services)
By Bus
30-40 min
By Car (Peak)
25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25 min

🛣️ Very limited train services; most residents drive to Wagga Wagga for work and services

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Small town centre is walkable but car needed for anything beyond the main street

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

  • 🏫
    The Rock Central School ICSEA 953
    6920 2132 Ford St
    GovernmentPrimary/Secondary CombinedCoedNon-Denominational

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

The Rock Station and yard group
Main Southern railway, The Rock • SHR #01268

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
259.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Motor vehicle theft
316.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Non-DV assault
230.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
230.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
View all 62 offence types for Lockhart →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,236
Census 2021
1,347
▲ 9.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,460
Personal Income 2021
$33,072
▲ 5.1% 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
$33,072 / yr
$636/wk
Household
$70,616 / yr
$1358/wk
Family
$91,208 / yr
$1754/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,195
Born Overseas 58

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 23
  • 2. New Zealand 12
  • 3. Wales 7
  • 4. Malaysia 6
  • 5. Germany 4
  • 6. China 3
  • 7. Fiji 3
  • 8. Netherlands 3
  • 9. United States 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 630
English 519
Irish 195
Scottish 177
German 89
Australian Aboriginal 69
Italian 27
Chinese 20
Dutch 17
Maltese 7

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,106
Both parents born in Australia
73
Both parents born overseas
72
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
60.3%
No Religion
31.3%
Buddhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
100 (7.4%)
5-14 years
213 (15.8%)
15-19 years
81 (6.0%)
20-24 years
37 (2.7%)
25-34 years
127 (9.4%)
35-44 years
151 (11.2%)
45-54 years
145 (10.8%)
55-64 years
184 (13.7%)
65-74 years
164 (12.2%)
75-84 years
97 (7.2%)
85+ years
49 (3.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Rock known for? +

The Rock is a small Riverina town with a population of approximately 1,350, located 32 kilometres southwest of Wagga Wagga on the Olympic Highway in the Lockhart Shire.

How far is The Rock from Wagga Wagga? +

The Rock is approximately 32 kilometres from Wagga Wagga. The drive takes around 25 min during peak hour and 25 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 25 min (limited services).

Does The Rock have public transport? +

The Rock is served by The Rock station (0.5 km, approximately 6 min walk) on the NSW TrainLink Southern Line (limited services). Local bus services including NSW TrainLink Coach also connect residents to Wagga Wagga, Albury.

What is the population of The Rock? +

According to the 2021 Census, The Rock has a population of approximately 1,347 residents.

Is The Rock a good place to live? +

The Rock offers a unique blend of historic character and residential living. It suits those who appreciate heritage surroundings and a close-knit community, while remaining connected to regional services.

What is the postcode for The Rock? +

The postcode for The Rock in NSW is 2655.

What is the average income in The Rock? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in The Rock is about $636 per week (around $33,100 per year). The median household income is $1,358 per week and the median family income is $1,754 per week.

What is the median house price in The Rock? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $426,250, up 0.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of The Rock? +

The median age in The Rock is 42. The largest age group is 5–14 (213 residents, around 16%). Around 29% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is The Rock a safe area? +

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

In The Rock, the median weekly rent is $245, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).