Walgett vs Lightning Ridge

Walgett is the younger of the two, with a median age of 35 against 53 in Lightning Ridge. In both, most homes are detached houses. In Walgett, about half of households rent. In Lightning Ridge, most households own their home and most households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Lightning Ridge: a median of $250,000, against $122,000 in Walgett, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Walgett tends to suit renters, families with children, and buyers on a tighter budget, while Lightning Ridge suits people living alone and older residents.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Walgett

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (3 vs 1)
  • has more parks and reserves (9 vs 3)
  • is already more of a family suburb (54% vs 36%)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Walgett

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($122,000 vs $250,000)
  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (14% vs 25%)

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Walgett

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (11% vs 25%)
  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (47% vs 32%)
  • has cheaper rent ($175/wk vs $200/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Walgett

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • sits closer to the CBD (665.6 km vs 767.1 km)
  • has a shorter drive in (506 min vs 554 min)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Lightning Ridge

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (38% vs 8%)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (29% vs 14%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 1 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

Walgett and Lightning Ridge drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Walkability 0 / 0
Walgett — Walkability: 0/100 Lightning Ridge — Walkability: 0/100
Safety 2 / 3
Walgett — Safety: 2/100 Lightning Ridge — Safety: 3/100
Low fire risk 87 / 71
Walgett — Low fire risk: 87/100 Lightning Ridge — Low fire risk: 71/100

Demographics

Walgett has higher household incomes ($80,808 vs $41,184); Lightning Ridge skews older (53 vs 35).

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Population 1,824 1,946
+7% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -15.0% -14.8%
Median age 35 53
Median household income $80,808/yr
+49% vs other
 $41,184/yr
Median weekly rent $175/wk $200/wk
+14% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Walgett Lightning Ridge
0-4 7.8% / 4.6%
Walgett — 0-4: 7.8% Lightning Ridge — 0-4: 4.6%
5-14 15.0% / 9.9%
Walgett — 5-14: 15.0% Lightning Ridge — 5-14: 9.9%
15-19 6.4% / 4.5%
Walgett — 15-19: 6.4% Lightning Ridge — 15-19: 4.5%
20-24 4.9% / 3.3%
Walgett — 20-24: 4.9% Lightning Ridge — 20-24: 3.3%
25-34 15.1% / 9.8%
Walgett — 25-34: 15.1% Lightning Ridge — 25-34: 9.8%
35-44 10.9% / 8.9%
Walgett — 35-44: 10.9% Lightning Ridge — 35-44: 8.9%
45-54 12.2% / 11.4%
Walgett — 45-54: 12.2% Lightning Ridge — 45-54: 11.4%
55-64 14.3% / 18.2%
Walgett — 55-64: 14.3% Lightning Ridge — 55-64: 18.2%
65-74 9.6% / 15.8%
Walgett — 65-74: 9.6% Lightning Ridge — 65-74: 15.8%
75-84 3.3% / 10.9%
Walgett — 75-84: 3.3% Lightning Ridge — 75-84: 10.9%
85+ 0.8% / 2.5%
Walgett — 85+: 0.8% Lightning Ridge — 85+: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.2%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Walgett 38.4% lone person
Walgett — Lone Person: 38.4% Walgett — Couple Families: 30.8% Walgett — One Parent Families: 23.2% Walgett — Group Household: 3.2% Walgett — Other Families: 4.4%
Lightning Ridge 57.0% lone person
Lightning Ridge — Lone Person: 57.0% Lightning Ridge — Couple Families: 18.1% Lightning Ridge — One Parent Families: 17.9% Lightning Ridge — Group Household: 5.3% Lightning Ridge — Other Families: 1.6%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Walgett 47.2% renting
Walgett — Owned Outright: 30.6% Walgett — Mortgage: 22.2% Walgett — Renting: 47.2%
Lightning Ridge 32.0% renting
Lightning Ridge — Owned Outright: 53.8% Lightning Ridge — Mortgage: 14.2% Lightning Ridge — Renting: 32.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Certificate III & IV 8.2% / 13.3%
Walgett — Certificate III & IV: 8.2% Lightning Ridge — Certificate III & IV: 13.3%
Bachelor Degree 6.8% / 5.1%
Walgett — Bachelor Degree: 6.8% Lightning Ridge — Bachelor Degree: 5.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 5.3% / 5.5%
Walgett — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.3% Lightning Ridge — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.5%
Postgraduate Degree 0.8% / 0.9%
Walgett — Postgraduate Degree: 0.8% Lightning Ridge — Postgraduate Degree: 0.9%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.8% / 0.9%
Walgett — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.8% Lightning Ridge — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (13.3%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Walgett Lightning Ridge
England 0.4% / 1.5%
Walgett — England: 0.4% Lightning Ridge — England: 1.5%
New Zealand 0.5% / 1.3%
Walgett — New Zealand: 0.5% Lightning Ridge — New Zealand: 1.3%
Philippines — / 1.4%
Walgett — Philippines: not among its largest Lightning Ridge — Philippines: 1.4%
India 0.5% / 0.4%
Walgett — India: 0.5% Lightning Ridge — India: 0.4%
Germany — / 0.9%
Walgett — Germany: not among its largest Lightning Ridge — Germany: 0.9%
China 0.6% / —
Walgett — China: 0.6% Lightning Ridge — China: not among its largest
Thailand — / 0.5%
Walgett — Thailand: not among its largest Lightning Ridge — Thailand: 0.5%
Scotland 0.2% / —
Walgett — Scotland: 0.2% Lightning Ridge — Scotland: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (1.5%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Walgett 91.5% houses
Walgett — Houses: 91.5% Walgett — Flats / Apartments: 3.9% Walgett — Townhouses: 4.6%
Lightning Ridge 61.9% houses
Lightning Ridge — Houses: 61.9% Lightning Ridge — Flats / Apartments: 33.5% Lightning Ridge — Townhouses: 4.6%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Median house price $122,000 $250,000
Median unit price —
same for both
Median land price $35,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) — 168 days
from 3 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Walgett Lightning Ridge
3 bed $121K / $200K
Walgett — 3 bed: $121K (6 sales) Lightning Ridge — 3 bed: $200K (7 sales)

6 vs 7 sales

4 bed $156K / $325K
Walgett — 4 bed: $156K (8 sales) Lightning Ridge — 4 bed: $325K (5 sales)

8 vs 5 sales

Zoning mix

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Rural and farming 99% 98%
Infrastructure and transport 0% 2%
Environmental 1% 0%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Walgett Lightning Ridge
New dwellings approved 13
across Walgett
same for both
Approvals change year on year -100%
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Walgett Lightning Ridge
House price Higher than 3% of NSW Higher than 1% of NSW
Income Higher than 48% of NSW Higher than 5% of NSW
Schools Higher than 22% of NSW —
Walkability Higher than 28% of NSW Higher than 20% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 98% of NSW Higher than 97% of NSW
EV adoption —
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 90% of NSW Higher than 64% of NSW

Liveability

Walgett scores higher overall (20 vs 8).

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Grade D
same for both
Score 20/100 8/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 3/10
 high-need area
decile 1/10

Risk profile

Lightning Ridge carries more bushfire risk (29 vs 13).

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Bushfire Low
13/100
 Low
29/100
Crime High
98/100
 High
97/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Inside the suburb 3 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 2 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Walgett

  • St Joseph's Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Walgett Community College - Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Walgett Community College - High School Government · Secondary

Schools in Lightning Ridge

  • Lightning Ridge Central School Government · Combined at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Cafes & restaurants 3
same for both
Parks & reserves 9 3
Childcare 2
same for both
GPs 2
same for both
Pharmacies 1
same for both
Hospitals 1
same for both
Police stations 1
same for both
Banks & Bank@Post 3 2
Fuel stations 2 3
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 155 6

Mobility

Lightning Ridge sits further from the CBD (767.1 km vs 665.6 km).

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Walkability score 0/100
same for both
Distance to Sydney 665.6 km 767.1 km
+15% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 506 min 554 min
Public transport score 38/100
Bus
 37/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 12.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
same for both
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.0%
postcode 2832
 0.0%
postcode 2834
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings —
postcode 2832
 88
postcode 2834

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Car (driver) 67.0% / 68.0%
Walgett — Car (driver): 67.0% Lightning Ridge — Car (driver): 68.0%
Walked Only 14.9% / 10.4%
Walgett — Walked Only: 14.9% Lightning Ridge — Walked Only: 10.4%
Worked from Home 12.4% / 10.8%
Walgett — Worked from Home: 12.4% Lightning Ridge — Worked from Home: 10.8%
Car (passenger) 5.2% / 8.1%
Walgett — Car (passenger): 5.2% Lightning Ridge — Car (passenger): 8.1%
Bicycle 0.6% / 1.9%
Walgett — Bicycle: 0.6% Lightning Ridge — Bicycle: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (68.0%).

Setting

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Elevation 136 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 146 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Connectivity score 82/100 39/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 52%
1,081 premises
 0%
1,347 premises

Council rates

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Average residential rate $445/yr
same for both
Council Walgett
same for both

Federal electorate

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Division Parkes
same for both
Member Jamie Chaffey
same for both
Party The Nationals
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Walgett Lightning Ridge
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Walgett

Affordable Family Multicultural Rural

Lightning Ridge

Affordable Retirees Rural

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Walgett

Walgett vs Brewarrina Walgett vs Collarenebri Walgett vs Cumborah Walgett vs Pilliga Walgett vs Carinda Walgett vs Come By Chance

Other comparisons with Lightning Ridge

Lightning Ridge vs Collarenebri Lightning Ridge vs Goodooga Lightning Ridge vs Cumborah
Full data on Walgett Full data on Lightning Ridge
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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