All Countries
Lightning Ridge, Australia
New South Wales · Australia
Lightning Ridge is a small town in New South Wales, Australia with a population of 2,636. Elevation: 489 ft (149 m). Average temperature: 69°F (20°C).
Discover Lightning Ridge, Australia
Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.
About Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge is a small outback town in northern New South Wales, Australia. Part of Walgett Shire, Lightning Ridge is situated near the southern border of Queensland, about 6 km (4 mi) east of the Castlereagh Highway. The Lightning Ridge area is a centre of the mining of black opal and other opal gemstones.
People
Economy
DHousing
C+Climate
| Population | 2,636 |
| Population Density | 0 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 489 ft (149 m) |
| Coordinates | -29.4274°, 147.9787° |
| Timezone | Australia/Sydney |
| Country | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| State / Province | New South Wales |
| Average Temperature | 69°F (20°C) |
| January Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| July Average | 53°F (12°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.7 inches (450 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0 inches (0 cm) |
| Median Household Income | $16,089 |
| Median Age | 53.0 years |
About Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge is a small town in Australia (New South Wales) with a population of 2,636. The city sits at an elevation of 489 feet (149 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 69°F (20°C). Temperatures range from 83°F in January to 53°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 17.7 inches. The timezone is Australia/Sydney.
Population
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Lightning Ridge vs Australia Average
Income: Lightning Ridge vs Australia
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $16,089 |
| 79% below Australia avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $16,089 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $309 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 11.0% |
| 206% above Australia avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 250 |
Business (County)
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $112,600 |
| 60% below Australia avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $563 |
| 52% below Australia avg |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 68.0% |
| Owner-Occupied | 68.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 32.0% |
| Housing Units | 1,054 |
Property Tax
Climate in Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge has an average annual temperature of 21.1°C (70°F). The hottest month is Jan (29.7°C), the coldest is Jul (12°C). Average annual precipitation is 455 mm.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 68.8°F |
| 27% above Australia avg | |
| January Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| July Average | 53°F (12°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 489 ft (149 m) |
| Area | 7,697.2 sq mi (19,935.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 0/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -29.4274°N, 147.9787°W |
| Timezone | Australia/Sydney |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 83°F (28°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| February | 82°F (28°C) | 2.1 in | |
| March | 78°F (25°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 70°F (21°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| July | 53°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 69°F (21°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 75°F (24°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 80°F (27°C) | 1.6 in |
Lightning Ridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 53°F in July to 83°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 17.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (2.8") and June the driest (0.9").
Schools in Lightning Ridge
1 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning Ridge Central School | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Lightning Ridge
0 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality |
|---|
Museums in Lightning Ridge
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper's Cottage | ||||
| Hospital Gallery - Heritage Cottage | ||||
| The Goondee |
Libraries in Lightning Ridge
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning Ridge Library | 0.0 |
Cafes in Lightning Ridge
3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Monuments in Lightning Ridge
1 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Castles in Lightning Ridge
2 castles within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Lightning Ridge
4 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Lightning Ridge
1 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Lightning Ridge
1 gyms within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Lightning Ridge
1 golf courses within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Airports Near Lightning Ridge
9 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning Ridge Airport | LHG | Medium Airport |
| Walgett Airport | WGE | Medium Airport |
| Collarenebri Airport | CRB | Small Airport |
| Cubbie station airport | — | Small Airport |
| Dirranbandi | — | Small Airport |
| Goodooga Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Hebel airstrip | — | Small Airport |
| Miralwyn Airport | — | Small Airport |
| Narrandool Bush Strip | — | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Lightning Ridge
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Lightning Ridge LPO |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Lightning Ridge
4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| Lightning Ridge Community Church | |
| Our Lady of Fatima | |
| Serbian Orthodox Church St George |
Quick Facts
🇦🇺 About Australia
Public Holidays in Australia
25 public holidays this year
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Lightning Ridge.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Lightning Ridge
What is the population of Lightning Ridge?
Lightning Ridge has a population of 2,636 residents and is located in Australia. The population density is 0 people per square mile, spread across 7,697.2 square miles. The median age of residents is 53.0 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years.
Is Lightning Ridge expensive to live in?
The median household income is $16,089, 79% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $112,600 (60% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $563 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 7x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.
What is the weather like in Lightning Ridge?
Lightning Ridge enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winter temperatures average 83°F in January, while summers reach an average of 53°F in July. The area receives 304 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 17.7 inches.
How is the job market in Lightning Ridge?
The job market in Lightning Ridge faces challenges, with unemployment at 11.0% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $309. There are 250 business establishments in the area.
How much does housing cost in Lightning Ridge?
The median home value in Lightning Ridge is $112,600. For renters, the median monthly rent is $563. The homeownership rate is 68.0%.