Harden County is one of New South Wales’ 141 cadastral divisions, in the south-west slopes district. The origin of its name is not recorded. It is home to the town of Harden.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | South West Slopes |
| Named after | Origin not recorded |
| Principal town | Harden |
| Local government areas today | Hilltops Council, Yass Valley Council, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council |
Parishes in Harden County
The county holds 42 parishes, listed below.
- Beggan Beggan
- Binalong
- Birrema
- Bobbara
- Bongongolong
- Bookham
- Bowning
- Burra
- Childowla
- Coolac
- Cooney
- Cootamundra
- Coppabella
- Cowcumbala
- Cullinga
- Cumbamurra
- Cunjegong
- Cunningar
- Cunningham
- Currawong
- Demondrille
- Douglas
- Eubindal
- Galong
- Gobarralong
- Gooramma
- Harden
- Illalong
- Jindalee
- Jugiong
- Mooney Mooney
- Moppity
- Murrimboola
- Muttama
- Mylora
- Nubba
- Nurung
- Talmo
- Wallendoon
- Wambat
- Wilkie
- Woolgarlo
Towns and Localities Today
Harden, twinned with neighbouring Murrumburrah, is the county’s main town and a rail junction on the line between Sydney and Wagga Wagga. Cootamundra, in the Cootamundra parish, is the largest urban centre within the county’s boundaries. Binalong and Galong are smaller villages on the Burley Griffin Way.
| Town | LGA | Approx. population |
|---|---|---|
| Cootamundra | Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council | 5,800 |
| Harden | Hilltops Council | 1,600 |
| Binalong | Yass Valley Council | 500 |
Geography
Harden County borders Bland, Monteagle, King, Clarendon, Wynyard, Buccleuch and Murray counties. It lies on rolling grazing and cropping country of the south-west slopes.
History
No source records who or what Harden County was named for. The town of Harden grew from the 1870s as the railway pushed south-west, and Cootamundra, in the county’s north, developed as an earlier agricultural centre.
FAQ
Is Harden County still used?
Cadastral counties like Harden remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What towns are in Harden County?
Harden, Cootamundra, Binalong and Galong are its main towns, spread across three local government areas.
Which counties border Harden County?
Bland, Monteagle, King, Clarendon, Wynyard, Buccleuch and Murray counties surround it.