Bourke, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Bourke NSW is 1,699 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Bourke is $860 per week ($44,720 per year). Median rent in Bourke is $180 per week ($780 per month). Bourke has a median age of 35 years, younger than the national median of 38. Bourke has a population density of 0.4 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Bourke is India. The most common religion is Catholic (37.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Australian Indigenous languages. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bourke is $947.

There were 263 recorded offences in Bourke in 2025-26, a rate of 155 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against property (94 offences).

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Bourke Map

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Bourke Population

1,699 residents at the 2021 Census.

Bourke Median Income & Rent

Median Income

$860/wk

$44,720 per year

Ranked 2,627 of 14,663

Median Rent

$180/wk

$780 per month

Ranked 7,868 of 14,663

Median Age

35years

3 years younger than the national median

Mortgage

$947/mo

Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.8 per bedroom

Bourke Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.1% (813) Female 51.9% (878)

Population Density

0.4

people per km²

1,699 people · 3882.8 km²

Households

2.5

Avg household size

0.8

Persons per bedroom

$1,898

Family income/wk

Bourke Age Distribution

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80-84

85+

Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Bourke Home Ownership

Of owner-occupied homes in Bourke, 55.5% are owned outright and 44.5% have a mortgage.

Owned outright

55.5%

Owned with mortgage

44.5%

Rented homes are not included in this breakdown.

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

India
England

Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Bourke Religion

Catholic

37.6%

No religion

20.0%

Not stated

17.0%

Anglican

12.7%

Christian (other)

2.3%

Presbyterian and Reformed

2.2%

Uniting Church

1.7%

Baptist

1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Bourke Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

48.5%

Year 10 or equivalent

30.4%

Year 9 or equivalent

11.5%

Year 11 or equivalent

9.6%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Australian Indigenous languages
Nepali
Mandarin
Malayalam
Urdu

Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Spoken at Home by SAL

Bourke Employment

Employed full-time

47.2% 496 people

Employed part-time

13.9% 146 people

Unemployed

2.3% 24 people

Not in labour force

36.6% 385 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Bourke Qualifications

Certificate III/IV

35.2%

Bachelor Degree

28.9%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

22.0%

Postgraduate Degree

6.4%

Certificate I/II

4.2%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

3.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Bourke Occupation

Professionals

29.0%

Community & Personal Service

20.2%

Managers

15.7%

Technicians & Trade Workers

12.9%

Clerical & Administrative

9.0%

Labourers

5.5%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

4.8%

Sales Workers

2.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Bourke Field of Study

Society & Culture

19.0%

Education

18.3%

Health

16.5%

Management & Commerce

13.3%

Engineering

13.0%

Architecture & Building

6.5%

Agriculture & Environment

5.0%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

4.8%

Natural & Physical Sciences

2.5%

Creative Arts

1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

Bourke Dwelling Types

Separate house

98.3%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Bourke Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

1.6%

$1-$149/wk

1.6%

$150-$299/wk

1.8%

$300-$399/wk

1.2%

$400-$499/wk

7.1%

$500-$649/wk

4.3%

$650-$799/wk

8.8%

$800-$999/wk

6.9%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

7.5%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

6.7%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

5.1%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.7%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

14.5%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

6.3%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

8.6%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

3.9%

$4,000+/wk

7.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Bourke Marital Status

Married

35.8% 468

Separated

4.2% 55

Divorced

6.3% 82

Widowed

6.3% 83

Never married

47.4% 621

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Bourke Ancestry

Australian

32.1%

English

30.5%

Australian Aboriginal

30.4%

Irish

8.5%

Scottish

6.2%

German

1.5%

Indian

1.0%

Chinese

0.9%

Italian

0.7%

French

0.5%

Welsh

0.5%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Bourke School & University Attendance

Primary — Catholic

25.2%

Primary — Government

21.4%

Secondary — Government

17.6%

Pre-school

12.4%

Vocational Education

11.4%

Secondary — Catholic

6.6%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

3.4%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

Bourke Need for Assistance

Needs assistance

6.3%

No need for assistance

93.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Bourke Volunteering

Volunteer

15.8% 170

Not a volunteer

84.2% 903

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Bourke Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

6.8%

$300-$449/mo

9.3%

$450-$599/mo

5.1%

$600-$799/mo

14.4%

$800-$999/mo

18.6%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

17.8%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

16.1%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

9.3%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Bourke How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

62.6%

Walked only

15.5%

Did not go to work

8.8%

Car (passenger)

8.2%

Truck

2.0%

Other

1.1%

Bicycle

0.9%

Motorbike/Scooter

0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Bourke Car Ownership

0 vehicles

12.0%

1 vehicle

40.7%

2 vehicles

32.1%

3 vehicles

9.3%

4+ vehicles

5.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Bourke Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

6.0%

2 bedrooms

16.0%

3 bedrooms

45.2%

4 bedrooms

27.1%

5 bedrooms

4.0%

6+ bedrooms

1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Bourke Population Mobility

15.6%

moved in the last year

34.0%

moved in the last 5 years

3.5%

unemployment rate (Census)

54.6%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Bourke Indigenous Population

39.7%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Bourke Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

110

Asthma

Diabetes

Heart disease

Arthritis

Lung condition

Kidney disease

Cancer

Stroke

Dementia

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Bourke Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

9.9%

$1-$149/wk

3.5%

$150-$299/wk

6.2%

$300-$399/wk

4.3%

$400-$499/wk

3.7%

$500-$649/wk

2.2%

$650-$799/wk

8.6%

$800-$999/wk

11.6%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

13.2%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

9.4%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

8.0%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.5%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

8.8%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

2.2%

$3,500+/wk

1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

Bourke Family Structure

Couple — children under 15

43.3%

Couple — no children

22.3%

One parent — children under 15

16.4%

Couple — no children under 15

9.0%

One parent — no children under 15

8.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Bourke Military Service

Previously served

1.9% 21

Never served

98.1% 1,064

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Bourke Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance

12.1% 130

Did not provide

87.9% 947

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Bourke Children Ever Born

No children

31.8%

1 child

12.8%

2 children

23.7%

3 children

19.8%

4 children

9.9%

5+ children

2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

Bourke When Migrants Arrived

1951–1960

1961–1970

1981–1990

1991–2000

2001–2010

2011–2015

2016

2018

2019

2020

2021

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Bourke Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

18.3%

5–14 hours

25.5%

15–29 hours

10.4%

30+ hours

7.7%

Did not do domestic work

38.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Bourke Household Size

1 person

31.8%

2 persons

26.7%

3 persons

18.5%

4 persons

11.5%

5 persons

7.1%

6+ persons

4.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Bourke Where Residents Moved From

Same address

1,156

Moved — same area (SA2)

Moved from NSW

Moved from VIC

Moved from QLD

Moved from WA

Moved from overseas

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Bourke Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

81.5%

Step family — no other children

12.3%

Blended family — no other children

2.1%

Intact family — other children present

2.1%

Other couple — children only

2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Bourke Crime Statistics

263 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Other Against Property

Theft

Assault

Other Against Person

Property Damage

Sexual Offences

Weapons

Drug Offences

Robbery

Total offences by year

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Bourke Rent Prices & Affordability

12% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,560/wk

Median rent $180/wk

Rent to income 11.5%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Bourke against your income

Your weekly income

About $6,760 a month

Median rent $180/wk

Left after rent $1,380/wk

Rent share 11.5%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Walgett

Income: $823/wk Rent: $175/wk $5/wk less rent

Hamilton South

Income: $770/wk Rent: $162/wk $18/wk less rent

Malabar

Income: $820/wk Rent: $150/wk $30/wk less rent

Bourke vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Bourke is $860 a week, 12% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 719th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $180 a week, $205 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 11.5% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 35, 8 years younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
Measure	Bourke	Typical NSW	Typical Australia
Personal income	$860/wk	$765/wk	$766/wk
Household income	$1,560/wk	$1,704/wk	$1,637/wk
Rent	$180/wk	$385/wk	$330/wk
Mortgage repayment	$947/mo	$1,965/mo	$1,733/mo
Median age	35	43	42
Rent share of household income	11.5%	22.6%	20.3%

Compare Bourke

Frequently Asked Questions About Bourke

What is the population of Bourke NSW?

The population of Bourke NSW is 1,699 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 0.4 people per km².Bourke is ranked #3,240 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Bourke?

The median personal income in Bourke NSW is $860 per week, or $44,720 per year.The median household income is $1,560 per week.Family income is $1,898 per week.Bourke is ranked #2,627 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Bourke?

Median rent in Bourke NSW is $180 per week ($780 per month).Rent represents 11.5% of household income, which is considered affordable.Bourke ranks #7,868 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Bourke?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bourke NSW is $947. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Bourke?

The median age in Bourke NSW is 35 years.This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Bourke a good suburb to live in?

Bourke is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 1,699.The median income is $860/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk).Rent affordability is rated as affordable (11.5% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 10520. All dollar figures in AUD.