🔍

Walcha

NSW 2354 • Rest of NSW

2,475
Population (2021)
$63,440
Median Household Income
3239.09 km²
Area
$203/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricFamily-FriendlyRetirees

About Walcha

Walcha is a historic highland town in the New England Tablelands of New South Wales, situated at an elevation of over 1,000 metres and roughly 100 kilometres south of Armidale. With a population of around 2,475, it serves as the administrative centre of the Walcha local government area, a vast pastoral district covering more than 3,200 square kilometres. The town is known for its crisp mountain climate, sweeping rural vistas, and a rich heritage stretching back to the early wool-grazing era of colonial Australia. Walcha's high elevation gives it one of the most temperate climates in regional NSW, with cool summers and cold, occasionally snowy winters.

Life in Walcha revolves around the agricultural sector, with beef cattle and wool production the backbone of the local economy. The town has a welcoming country community feel, with essential services including a hospital, supermarkets, hotels, and a variety of local trades and businesses. Walcha is home to a renowned public art trail featuring large outdoor sculptures, attracting visitors along the Oxley Highway. Families are served by Walcha Central School, which provides education from kindergarten through to Year 12 within a single campus.

Walcha falls under postcode 2354 and is governed by Walcha Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Northern Tablelands electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2354
Urban Area
Walcha
LGA / Council
Walcha
Federal Electorate
New England
State Electorate
Northern Tablelands
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.10°, 151.80°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3239.09 km²
Elevation
1066m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$383K
39 sales · ▼ 19.3% 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)
$203
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,083
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
49 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.9%

16 state housing + 12 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach — Tamworth / Armidale 2 hr to Tamworth

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
420 km
By Train
No direct train; coach to Tamworth then train ~5 hr
By Car (Peak)
4.5-5 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
4.5 hr

🛣️ Walcha is a remote inland town with no rail access; nearest rail at Tamworth (~135 km)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre is walkable but car is essential for most journeys

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 4 heritage-listed places in or near Walcha, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

St Andrews Rectory (former)
Thee Street, Walcha • SHR #00295
Ohio Homestead
Walcha • SHR #00463
St Andrew's Anglican Church (former)
South Street, Walcha • SHR #00469
Kunderang East Pastoral Station
80km north-west Oxley Wild Rivers National Park Kempsey • SHR #00996

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

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

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,553
Census 2021
2,475
▼ 3.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,784
Personal Income 2021
$36,452
▲ 18.4% 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
$36,452 / yr
$701/wk
Household
$63,440 / yr
$1220/wk
Family
$84,656 / yr
$1628/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,099
Born Overseas 145

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 44
  • 2. New Zealand 19
  • 3. Netherlands 7
  • 4. Germany 6
  • 5. United States 5
  • 6. Zimbabwe 5
  • 7. Malaysia 4
  • 8. Scotland 4
  • 9. China 3
  • 10. India 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,093
English 1,029
Scottish 312
Irish 286
Australian Aboriginal 140
German 100
Italian 36
Dutch 23
New Zealander 22
Welsh 19

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,923
Both parents born in Australia
164
Both parents born overseas
151
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
63.1%
No Religion
26.9%
Buddhism
0.2%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
140 (5.7%)
5-14 years
282 (11.4%)
15-19 years
123 (5.0%)
20-24 years
97 (3.9%)
25-34 years
223 (9.0%)
35-44 years
216 (8.7%)
45-54 years
280 (11.3%)
55-64 years
358 (14.5%)
65-74 years
390 (15.8%)
75-84 years
283 (11.4%)
85+ years
70 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Walcha known for? +

Walcha is known for its spectacular highland scenery, cold climate, beef and wool grazing heritage, and a celebrated outdoor public sculpture trail along the Oxley Highway.

Is there a train to Walcha? +

Walcha has no rail service. The nearest train station is in Tamworth, approximately 135 km away. NSW TrainLink coach services connect Walcha to Tamworth and Armidale.

What schools are in Walcha? +

Walcha has one school — Walcha Central School, a government K-12 school located at 154E North Street.

How far is Walcha from Sydney? +

Walcha is approximately 420 km from Sydney, about a 4.5 to 5-hour drive via the New England Highway and Oxley Highway.

What is the average income in Walcha? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Walcha is about $701 per week (around $36,500 per year). The median household income is $1,220 per week and the median family income is $1,628 per week.

What is the median house price in Walcha? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $382,630, down 19.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Walcha? +

The median age in Walcha is 49. The largest age group is 65–74 (390 residents, around 16%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 30% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Walcha a safe area? +

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

Walcha had a population of 2,475 at the 2021 Census, down 3.1% from 2,553 in 2016.

How much is rent in Walcha? +

In Walcha, the median weekly rent is $203, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,083 (2021 Census).