NSW · Cobar Council
Cobar, 2835
Current weather
13.5°CClear sky
69% humidity · 13.5 km/h wind · 17.6° / 9.8° today · 0.2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Cobar is a quieter mid-sized suburb in Cobar, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Remote from the metro area in the best sense: quiet streets, big skies and a town that runs on its own timetable. Open skies and rolling countryside set a calm backdrop to everyday routines.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because housing affordability and local dining and lifestyle amenities lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in growth momentum and transport and access. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 3,603
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $1,816
- Dwelling vacancy
- 26.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 458 of 1,715
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,109
- Employment rate
- 56.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 115 / 44 / 67
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $250
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $355
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $290
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 43
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 504
- Against the person
- 175
- Against property
- 161
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 139.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 21 residents
- State safety percentile
- 88.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +18.6%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order38
- Breach Bail Conditions41
- Domestic Violence Related Assault52
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment68
- Malicious Damage To Property50
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 865
- Cobar High SchoolSecondary
- Cobar Public SchoolPrimary
- St John's Parish SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
176 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cobar Family Daycare
- Lewis St At Eleventh St
- Linsley St At Molineaux St
- The Rookery Kidman Way
- Wood St At Hogan Pl
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
174 planning-related records
2026· 16 proposals
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool16 ANNIES LANE COBAR 2835Under Assessment
- Subdivision18 GREEN STREET COBAR 2835Under Assessment
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)71 BECKER STREET COBAR 2835Under Assessment
- Demolition; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Depot5 OLD BOURKE ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park101 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 DENMAN STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Outdoor dining - general; Food and drink premise69 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Under Assessment
February 2026
- Advertising and signage; Shop29-33 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 BILBY CLOSE COBAR 2835Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 ANNIES LANE COBAR 2835Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 ANNIES LANE COBAR 2835Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development19 CLIFTON PLACE COBAR 2835Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Fences; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development21 CLIFTON PLACE COBAR 2835Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Automotive/truck premises; Service station69 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Agriculture11965 BARRIER HIGHWAY COBAR 2835Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport4 CONDON PLACE COBAR 2835Determined
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences11 BLAKEY STREET COBAR 2835Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 FLETCHER STREET COBAR 2835Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure29 ACACIA DRIVE COBAR 2835Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure21-23 PRINCE STREET COBAR 2835Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Underground mining35565 KIDMAN WAY COBAR 2835Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Mine; Underground mining465 CSA ACCESS ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care6 BOOROOMUGGA STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Centre-based child care33 BOURKE STREET COBAR 2835Determined
July 2025
- Demolition2 BARTON STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Camping ground12375 BARRIER HIGHWAY COBAR 2835Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Manufactured home; Residential Accommodation18 YARRAN CIRCLE COBAR 2835Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)1 OLD BOURKE ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure278 LERIDA ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Manufactured home18 GOOLD STREET COBAR 2835Determined
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home18 GOOLD STREET COBAR 2835Withdrawn
- Seniors housing; Residential care facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 NULLAMUT STREET COBAR 2835Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation18 GREEN STREET COBAR 2835Determined
March 2025
- Erection of a new structure; General industry28-30 CORNISH STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure22 LOUTH ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
February 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 Belah crescent Cobar NSW 2835Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Depot2-4 BLAKEY STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Business premises; Erection of a new structure; Storage premises27 OLD BOURKE ROAD COBAR 2835Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure86 MARSHALL STREET COBAR 2835Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport49 ELIZABETH CRESCENT COBAR 2835Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Cobar Miners Heritage ParkPark
- Cobar RacecoursePark
- Drummond ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 7
- Emergency department
- On site
- Allen Brady Medical Centreyes
- Cobar Health ServiceWoodiwiss Avenuehospital
- Cobar Primary Healthcare Centreyes
- Cobar Respiratory Clinicyes
- Cobar Wellbeing PlaceBroomfield Streetyes
- John Mitchell PharmacyMarshall Streetpharmacy
- Thompson Family DentalBarton Streetdentist
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Cobar Railway Station & yardNyngan-Cobar railway, CobarSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Cobar Pre SchoolBooroomugga Streetkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 33.2/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4727th in Australia
- State rank
- 1514th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #79 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #621 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Breach Apprehended Violence Ordercrime38
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime41
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime52
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime68
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime50
- Cobar Family Daycaretransport
- Lewis St At Eleventh Sttransport
- Linsley St At Molineaux Sttransport
- The Rookery Kidman Waytransport
- Wood St At Hogan Pltransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Cobar Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.