Bathurst Surrounds

An assessment of population growth drivers in Bathurst Surrounds reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's evaluation, the population of Bathurst Surrounds stands at approximately 7,101 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 192 individuals (2.8%) from the 6,909 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. The adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 7,094 combined with 53 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 1.9 persons per square kilometer, which indicates a low-density living environment with significant space per resident. The area's 2.8% growth rate since the 2021 census outperformed the broader SA4 region (2.2%), establishing it as a local growth leader. The primary driver of this expansion was natural increase, which accounted for roughly 46.7% of the total population growth, though other factors such as overseas and interstate migration also made positive contributions.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, NSW State Government projections released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are applied. Age bracket growth trends derived from these sources are extended to all areas for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Future demographic patterns suggest population growth exceeding the median for non-metropolitan parts of Australia, with the local population projected to rise by 830 residents by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a cumulative increase of 11.6% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Bathurst Surrounds according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

An average of approximately 29 new residential building approvals has been registered annually in Bathurst Surrounds, culminating in 147 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 20 approvals have been recorded. Given that an average of only 1 new resident per new dwelling arrived annually between FY-21 and FY-25, residential supply is meeting or exceeding local demand, ensuring diverse choices for buyers and building capacity for growth beyond projected levels. New homes in the area carry an average construction value of $440,000, which is higher than the regional average and points to a focus on premium construction. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $1.8 million have been registered in the current financial year, reinforcing the predominantly residential nature of local development.

Bathurst Surrounds displays comparable per capita building activity to the Rest of NSW, indicating a balanced property market aligned with regional trends. New additions to the housing stock have consisted entirely of detached houses, which maintains the low-density character of the area and caters to buyers seeking spacious properties. The ratio of 354 residents per dwelling approval highlights a quiet development sector with low overall activity.

Long-term forecasts indicate Bathurst Surrounds will add 823 residents by 2041, measured from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly figures. Current construction activity appears aligned with future requirements, supporting stable market conditions and preventing significant price inflation.

Bathurst Surrounds has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 0thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major planning actions, and development initiatives have a significant impact on area dynamics. A total of 42 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as having potential impacts in the region. Notable examples include The Gateway Bathurst, Pretty Heights Estate, MIR Group Residential Subdivision, and the Gilmour Street Seniors Living Development, with the subsequent list outlining the most significant initiatives.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Bathurst Surrounds ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

The local workforce is highly skilled with strong representation in essential services, and the unemployment rate is low at 1.5%. As of March 2026, there are 4,000 employed residents, with an unemployment rate 2.6 percentage points lower than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%. Workforce participation is high at 69.2%, compared to 60.6% for Regional NSW. According to Census data, a moderate proportion of the workforce (20.5%) worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

The primary employment fields for residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. The community exhibits a strong concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment shares 2.5 times the regional benchmark. In contrast, health care & social assistance is underrepresented at 12.7% of the workforce compared to the regional benchmark of 16.9%. A comparison of the Census working population against resident workers suggests local employment opportunities within the area itself are limited.

Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch indicates that for the year ending March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 1.2% and employment fell by 1.7%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 0.9%, the labour force shrink by 0.4%, and the unemployment rate increase by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections from May-25 offer additional context on future demand patterns in Bathurst Surrounds. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce mix to model potential trends. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Projecting these industry trends onto the occupational profile of Bathurst Surrounds suggests local employment could grow by 5.7% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, representing a basic weighted calculation for illustrative purposes that excludes local population forecasts.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show that incomes in the Bathurst Surrounds SA2 are slightly below national benchmarks, with a median of $55,648 and an average of $65,563. By comparison, Regional NSW recorded a median income of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of approximately $61,391 for the median and $72,329 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census places household, family, and individual incomes in Bathurst Surrounds around the 54th percentile nationally. The most common bracket is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, containing 31.1% of residents (2,208 people), which aligns with the metropolitan average of 29.9% in this bracket. After accounting for housing costs, residents retain 88.8% of their income, demonstrating strong disposable income, and the area ranks in the 6th decile of the SEIFA income index.

Bathurst Surrounds is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Bathurst Surrounds consisted of 99.6% houses and 0.4% other dwelling types like apartments, semi-detached, or alternative housing, compared to Regional NSW where houses made up 82.6% and other dwellings constituted 17.4%. Home ownership rates in Bathurst Surrounds were high at 48.9%, with remaining properties held under a mortgage (41.9%) or rented (9.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $1,863, exceeding the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while the median weekly rent was $273, below the regional median of $330. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Bathurst Surrounds match the Australian median of $1,863, whereas rental costs are notably lower than the national median of $375.

Bathurst Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households represent the majority at 76.5% of all dwellings, consisting of couples with children at 33.6%, couples without children at 34.7%, and single parent families at 7.5%. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.5%, with single person homes at 21.4% and group living situations at 2.1%. The area's median household size is 2.6 persons, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Bathurst Surrounds shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

Attainment of educational qualifications in Bathurst Surrounds sits below regional levels, with 23.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 32.2% across NSW. This variance indicates opportunities for boosting educational qualifications and expanding local skills. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 15.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational and technical skills are common, with 44.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualifications in these areas, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (33.3%).

Student enrollment figures are high, with 30.3% of residents engaged in formal study. This student population includes 11.5% in primary schools, 9.9% in secondary schools, and 3.2% enrolled in tertiary institutions.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Public transport networks in Bathurst Surrounds include 485 active stops serviced by a mix of buses. These facilities are utilised by 55 separate routes, providing a total of 527 passenger trips per week. Transport links are classified as limited, with residents living an average of 627 meters from their nearest stop. Because the area is primarily residential, commuter flows are outward, with private vehicles serving as the primary transport mode for 94% of trips. Average vehicle ownership is 2.2 cars per household, exceeding the regional benchmark. According to the 2021 Census, 20.5% of residents worked from home, which may reflect temporary pandemic restrictions.

Service frequency stands at an average of 75 daily trips across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 1 weekly trip per individual stop. The accompanying map highlights the 100 closest stops to the central point of the location.

Bathurst Surrounds's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Health indicators suggest positive outcomes throughout Bathurst Surrounds based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and chronic illness rates, showing low rates of common health conditions across both younger and older cohorts, while private health insurance coverage is slightly below the SA2 average at approximately 52% of the population (~3,685 people).

The most prevalent health issues recorded in the area were arthritis, affecting 9.7% of residents, and asthma, affecting 8.5%. A total of 67.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age individuals show a higher-than-average rate of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 23.0% of the population (1,631 people). Senior health outcomes are strong, with national rankings aligning closely with general population patterns.

The latest Census data sees Bathurst Surrounds placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Cultural diversity measures in Bathurst Surrounds are below average, with citizenship at 89.2%, Australian-born residents at 91.6%, and English-only speakers at home at 98.0%. Christianity is the predominant religion, representing 64.3% of residents, compared to 55.9% in Regional NSW.

Regarding parental ancestry, the three largest ethnic groups in Bathurst Surrounds are Australian at 32.8% of the population, English at 31.7%, and Irish at 11.5%. Some specific background groups show unique local concentrations, such as Maltese at 0.8% of the population (compared to 0.4% regionally), Scottish at 8.5% (compared to 8.0%), and French at 0.5% (compared to 0.4%).

Bathurst Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Bathurst Surrounds is 47 years, which is higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 years and the national average of 38 years. The demographic profile is notable for a high concentration of 55 - 64 year-olds (16.7%), while the 25 - 34 age bracket is smaller (8.2%) relative to Regional NSW. The proportion of residents aged 55 - 64 is also above the national rate of 11.2%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 5.7% to 7.5% of the population, while the 45 to 54 group has decreased from 15.1% to 12.8%. By 2041, demographic shifts will alter the local age profile. The 65 to 74 age group is projected to grow by 17% (167 people) to reach 1,142 from 974, while the 15 to 24 cohort is expected to grow by a minimal 1%, adding only 5 residents.