Cooma, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Cooma NSW is 6,715 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Cooma is $771 per week ($40,092 per year). Median rent in Cooma is $290 per week ($1,257 per month). Cooma has a median age of 44 years, older than the national median of 38. Cooma has a population density of 69 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Cooma is England. The most common religion is No religion (36.3% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cooma is $1,300.

There were 109 recorded offences in Cooma in 2025-26, a rate of 16 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (28 offences).

Population
6,715
Census 2021
Median income
$771/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$290/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
44years
Census 2021

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

Cooma vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Cooma is $771 a week, in line with the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,055th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $290 a week, $95 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 21.1% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 44, 1 year older 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.
MeasureCoomaTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$771/wk$765/wk +1%$766/wk
Household income$1,374/wk$1,704/wk −19%$1,637/wk
Rent$290/wk$385/wk −25%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,300/mo$1,965/mo −34%$1,733/mo
Median age4443 +1 yrs42
Rent share of household income21.1%22.6% −1.5 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Cooma, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Cooma Population

6,715 residents at the 2021 Census.

Cooma Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$771/wk
$40,092 per year
Ranked 4,115 of 14,663
Median Rent
$290/wk
$1,257 per month
Ranked 5,154 of 14,663
Median Age
44years
6 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,300/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Cooma Rent Prices & Affordability

21% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,374/wk
Median rent $290/wk
Rent to income 21.1%

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

Median rent in Cooma against your income

About $5,954 a month
Median rent $290/wk
Left after rent $1,084/wk
Rent share 21.1%

Cooma Schools

6
schools nearby
1
government
1011
avg ICSEA score
842
total students
St Patrick's Parish School Catholic
Combined · K-10 · 457 students
1037
ICSEA
The Alpine School Independent
Primary · K-11 · 97 students
1032
ICSEA
Snowy Mountains Christian School Independent
Combined · K-10 · 50 students
1005
ICSEA
Cooma Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 238 students
971
ICSEA
St Patrick's Parish School, Primary Campus Catholic
Primary
The Alpine School Secondary Campus Independent
Secondary

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Cooma, with a map

Cooma Map

Cooma, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
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Cooma, New South Wales: 36.2482°S, 149.1127°E

Cooma Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (6)

People in Cooma

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.9% (3,418) Female 49.1% (3,299)

Population Density

69
people per km²
6,715 people · 97.8 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,907
Family income/wk

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)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
2.2%
New Zealand
1.6%
Germany
1.3%
India
1.1%
Italy
0.9%
Philippines
0.7%
Netherlands
0.6%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian
0.8%
German
0.7%
Nepali
0.5%
Spanish
0.5%
Urdu
0.4%
Thai
0.4%
Greek
0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian
39.1%
English
35.2%
Irish
11.9%
Scottish
10.9%
German
5.8%
Italian
3.4%
Australian Aboriginal
3.4%
Dutch
1.9%
Chinese
1.3%
Indian
1.1%
Lebanese
0.9%

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

Religion

No religion
36.3%
Catholic
23.6%
Anglican
15.3%
Not stated
10.1%
Uniting Church
2.0%
Baptist
2.0%
Christian (other)
1.5%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

4.5%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
43.2% 2,425
Separated
3.9% 219
Divorced
10.4% 581
Widowed
7.1% 397
Never married
35.4% 1,986

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
37.6%
Couple: no children
33.4%
Couple: no children under 15
12.5%
One parent: children under 15
8.8%
One parent: no children under 15
7.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
34.6%
2 persons
35.8%
3 persons
13.0%
4 persons
10.2%
5 persons
4.4%
6+ persons
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Cooma

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,722 occupied private dwellings in Cooma at the 2021 Census, 29.1% were rented, 38.2% owned outright and 29.0% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.3% 63 dwellings
Owned outright
38.2% 1,039 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
29.0% 789 dwellings
Rented
29.1% 792 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.5% 40 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
93.7%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
5.1%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.5%
2 bedrooms
17.2%
3 bedrooms
48.5%
4 bedrooms
23.9%
5 bedrooms
4.7%
6+ bedrooms
1.2%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.8%
$300-$449/mo
3.2%
$450-$599/mo
2.8%
$600-$799/mo
7.5%
$800-$999/mo
9.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
30.0%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
19.9%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
15.3%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
3.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
7.2%
1 vehicle
40.3%
2 vehicles
35.2%
3 vehicles
11.3%
4+ vehicles
5.9%

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

Work, income and education in Cooma

Employment

Employed full-time
36.3% 1,847 people
Employed part-time
19.4% 987 people
Unemployed
2.3% 115 people
Not in labour force
42.1% 2,143 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
26.5%
Technicians & Trade Workers
16.3%
Community & Personal Service
14.0%
Managers
13.8%
Clerical & Administrative
12.6%
Sales Workers
6.1%
Labourers
5.4%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
5.4%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.9%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
1.3%
$300-$399/wk
2.7%
$400-$499/wk
8.8%
$500-$649/wk
5.6%
$650-$799/wk
9.2%
$800-$999/wk
7.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.6%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.4%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.0%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.5%
$4,000+/wk
7.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
8.3%
$1-$149/wk
3.8%
$150-$299/wk
5.6%
$300-$399/wk
5.0%
$400-$499/wk
4.5%
$500-$649/wk
4.2%
$650-$799/wk
10.5%
$800-$999/wk
12.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
8.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.9%
$3,500+/wk
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
70.7%
Did not go to work
11.5%
Walked only
7.2%
Car (passenger)
7.1%
Truck
0.9%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Bus
0.6%
Bicycle
0.5%
Other
0.5%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.4%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
53.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
32.2%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.4%
Year 11 or equivalent
7.3%

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

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
42.9%
Bachelor Degree
24.5%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.9%
Postgraduate Degree
7.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.1%
Certificate I/II
3.1%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
19.8%
Management & Commerce
19.4%
Society & Culture
13.7%
Health
10.8%
Architecture & Building
9.2%
Education
8.9%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.2%
Creative Arts
3.8%
Agriculture & Environment
3.5%
Information Technology
2.7%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.9%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
27.7%
Secondary: Government
20.2%
Vocational Education
16.9%
Pre-school
13.0%
Primary: Catholic
10.0%
Secondary: Catholic
5.5%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.8%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.9%

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

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
83.9%
Has need for assistance
7.6%
Need for assistance not stated
8.4%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
750
Arthritis
318
Asthma
236
Diabetes
214
Lung condition
188
Heart disease
185
Cancer
109
Kidney disease
79
Stroke
76
Dementia
29

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.4% 724
Did not provide
85.6% 4,308

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
19.5% 981
Not a volunteer
80.5% 4,053

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 4
Current ADF: Reserves
0.2% 8
Previously served
3.9% 199
Never served
95.8% 4,864

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
28.1%
1 child
12.0%
2 children
30.3%
3 children
19.4%
4 children
7.5%
5+ children
2.7%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
36
1951: 1960
120
1961: 1970
165
1971: 1980
105
1981: 1990
92
1991: 2000
73
2001: 2010
118
2011: 2015
80
2016
24
2017
45
2018
29
2019
63
2020
45
2021
38

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

Population Mobility

14.9%
moved in the last year
39.7%
moved in the last 5 years
3.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
55.9%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
5,165
Moved: same area (SA2)
335
Moved from NSW
307
Moved from overseas
87
Moved from QLD
38
Moved from ACT
34
Moved from VIC
29
Moved from WA
27
Moved from NT
17
Moved from SA
9

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.3%
5: 14 hours
29.8%
15: 29 hours
13.3%
30+ hours
9.4%
Did not do domestic work
26.1%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
81.9%
Step family: no other children
12.3%
Blended family: no other children
5.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cooma Crime Statistics

109 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
28
Other Against Property
25
Other Against Person
14
Property Damage
14
Assault
12
Drug Offences
9
Weapons
3
Sexual Offences
2
Robbery
1
Domestic Violence
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Hamilton South
Income: $770/wk Rent: $162/wk $128/wk less rent
Darlington Point
Income: $736/wk Rent: $200/wk $90/wk less rent
Narrandera
Income: $626/wk Rent: $210/wk $80/wk less rent
Culcairn
Income: $623/wk Rent: $220/wk $70/wk less rent
Guyra
Income: $639/wk Rent: $260/wk $30/wk less rent
Trangie
Income: $711/wk Rent: $180/wk $110/wk less rent
Coleambally
Income: $841/wk Rent: $180/wk $110/wk less rent
Warren
Income: $740/wk Rent: $215/wk $75/wk less rent

Compare Cooma (NSW)

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooma

What is the population of Cooma NSW?

The population of Cooma NSW is 6,715 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 69 people per km². Cooma is ranked #1,126 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Cooma?

The median personal income in Cooma NSW is $771 per week, or $40,092 per year. The median household income is $1,374 per week. Family income is $1,907 per week. Cooma is ranked #4,115 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Cooma?

Median rent in Cooma NSW is $290 per week ($1,257 per month). Rent represents 21.1% of household income, which is considered affordable. Cooma ranks #5,154 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Cooma?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cooma NSW is $1,300. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Cooma?

The median age in Cooma NSW is 44 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Cooma a good suburb to live in?

Cooma is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 6,715. The median income is $771/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (21.1% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 11036. All dollar figures in AUD.