Rural suburbs
Low-density agricultural areas — paddocks, farms, scattered houses on multi-hectare blocks, well-water and septic the norm rather than reticulated services. SuburbScan tracks 5,922 rural suburbs across Australia, home to 1,842,406 residents combined, with the largest concentration in New South Wales (1,862 suburbs). On average these suburbs carry moderate bushfire risk, moderate crime risk, and moderate flood risk. Compare the top-rated, most populated, and fastest-growing rural suburbs below.
33,394 sales, Oct 2024 – Oct 2026
Most Populated
Dubbo
NSW 2830 · 43,516 residents
Broken Hill
NSW 2880 · 17,706 residents
Emerald
QLD 4720 · 14,904 residents
Parkes
NSW 2870 · 11,324 residents
Bowen
QLD 4805 · 11,205 residents
Gunnedah
NSW 2380 · 10,359 residents
Cowra
NSW 2794 · 10,145 residents
Moranbah
QLD 4744 · 9,425 residents
Leeton
NSW 2705 · 9,170 residents
Moree
NSW 2400 · 8,962 residents
Top-Rated
Nhulunbuy
NT 0880 · 3,350 residents
Mount Johns
NT 0874 · 541 residents
Tindal
NT 0853 · 850 residents
Jabiru
NT 0886 · 755 residents
Dilston
TAS 7252 · 558 residents
Ilparpa
NT 0873 · 542 residents
Kilgariff
NT 0873 · 551 residents
Yulara
NT 0872 · 853 residents
Cossack
NT 0850 · 1,293 residents
Ross
NT 0873 · 806 residents
Fastest Growing
Fisher
QLD 4825 · 65 residents
Officer South
VIC 3809 · 1,159 residents
Baroondah
QLD 4420 · 57 residents
Ularring
WA 6436 · 51 residents
Arcoona
SA 5720 · 82 residents
Moregatta
QLD 4886 · 62 residents
Glenugie
NSW 2460 · 1,298 residents
Limmen
NT 0852 · 203 residents
Meru
WA 6530 · 219 residents
Daly Waters
NT 0852 · 55 residents
Common questions about Rural suburbs
How many rural suburbs are there in Australia?
There are 5,922 suburbs tagged rural in Australia on SuburbScan home to a combined 1,842,406 residents.
What are the largest rural suburbs in Australia?
The most populated rural suburbs in Australia are Dubbo, Broken Hill, and Emerald.
Which rural suburbs in Australia are growing fastest?
By population change between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the fastest-growing rural suburbs in Australia are Fisher, Officer South, and Baroondah.
Which state has the most rural suburbs?
The states with the most rural suburbs on SuburbScan are NSW (1,862), QLD (1,311), and VIC (1,290).