Area profile
A quick snapshot of Walgett Shire, drawn from official ABS estimates and the NSW Government's council data. The shire covers 22,308 square kilometres of north-west NSW — one of the largest local government areas in the state by area, and one of the smallest by population. The town of Walgett sits at the junction of the Namoi and Barwon rivers and is the council seat; Lightning Ridge, about 75 km to the north, is the shire's best-known town and the centre of Australia's black opal industry.
New to these terms? Read them in plain English
- Local Government Area (LGA)
- The official area a council governs.
- Estimated Resident Population (ERP)
- The official population count for an area.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
- The national statistics agency behind population figures.
The area at a glance
- Population (ERP, 2023–24)
- 5,497ABS Estimated Resident Population, per OLG time-series data.
- Area
- 22,308.3 km²The NSW Electoral Commission lists 22,330 km² for the same LGA; both figures are published by official sources and differ only in rounding/boundary basis.
- Population density
- ~0.2 people per km²About one resident for every four square kilometres.
- Region
- North West NSW — the Barwon–Namoi countryCouncil is a member of the Orana Regional Organisation of Councils (OROC) and of the NetWaste regional waste group.
- Council classification
- Large Rural (OLG group 10)
- Main centres
- Walgett (council seat), Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri, Burren Junction, Carinda, Rowena, Cumborah, Come By ChanceCouncil offices operate at Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri, and libraries at Walgett and Lightning Ridge through the Big Sky Libraries partnership with Moree Plains and Brewarrina councils.
- What the economy runs on
- Broadacre farming and grazing, opal mining and tourismFarmland accounts for 845 of the shire's 4,850 rateable assessments but about 98% of its rateable land value (Council's 2026–27 rating structure). Council's Tracks in Use Policy records the contribution the opal fields make to the shire's economy, tourism industry, identity and cultural character; Lightning Ridge and the Grawin, Glengarry and Sheepyards fields are the main opal-mining areas. Council publishes economic, community and housing profiles for the shire.
- Artesian water features
- Bore baths at Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Burren Junction and CollarenebriCouncil operates artesian bore baths and swimming pools across the shire; the Walgett bore baths were resolved to be decommissioned following an assessment in April 2026, and the Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool remains closed for the 2026–27 season.
Suburbs & postcodes
- Walgett2832
- Lightning Ridge2834
- Collarenebri2833
- Burren Junction2386
- Carinda2831
- Rowena2387
- Cumborah2832
- Come By Chance2832
- Cryon2832
- Angledool2834
On the map
The shaded area is the official Local Government Area boundary.
The suburb list and postcodes are a selection of the localities in the Walgett Shire LGA; the NSW Electoral Commission also lists Grawin Opal Fields and Pilliga as wholly or partly within the council area. The shaded area on the map is the official Local Government Area boundary (OpenStreetMap administrative boundary for Walgett Shire Council). Walgett Shire Council was established on 23 January 1879.
Sources — check it yourself
- Office of Local Government — Time-Series Data 2023–24 (population, area, classification) · ABS ERP 2023–24
- NSW Electoral Commission — Walgett Shire Council (area, localities and postcodes) · Jun 2026
- Walgett Shire Council — Economic & Community Profile · 2026
- Walgett Shire Council — Council adopts Tracks in Use Funding Policy (opal fields) · Jul 2026
- Explore Lightning Ridge — official visitor site
- Walgett Shire (Wikipedia)
Figures are current as at the dates shown and may change — always confirm with the linked source. See the notice at the bottom of the page for full details and how to report a correction.