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

Bathurst Surrounds' population was around 7,101 as of May 2026, reflecting a growth of 192 people since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 2.8% rise from the previous figure of 6,909. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 7,094 in June 2025 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Bathurst Surrounds' growth exceeded the SA4 region's 2.2% during this period, marking it as a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 46.7% to overall population gains recently, with all drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022, using 2021 as the base year, are utilized. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on demographic trends and latest annual ERP population numbers, Bathurst Surrounds is projected to expand by 830 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of 11.6% over the 16-year period.

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

Bathurst Surrounds has seen approximately 29 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 147 homes were approved, with an additional 15 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 0.5 new residents have been arriving per year for each new home over these five years, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand and providing greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average value of new homes being built is around $440,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. This financial year has seen approximately $1.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating minimal commercial development activity compared to residential. When measured against the Rest of NSW, Bathurst Surrounds maintains similar development levels per person, keeping market balance consistent with the broader area.

All new construction has been comprised of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population count is around 352 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections estimate Bathurst Surrounds to add approximately 823 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

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

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 42 potential impact projects in total. Key ones are The Gateway Bathurst, Pretty Heights Estate, MIR Group Residential Subdivision, and Gilmour Street Seniors Living Development. Below is a list detailing those likely to be most relevant.

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 conditions in Bathurst Surrounds demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Bathurst Surrounds has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 1.5%. As of December 2025, 4005 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.5% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation stands at 69.2%, exceeding Regional NSW's 60.5%.

According to Census responses, 20.5% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area is particularly specialized in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 2.5 times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 12.7% versus the regional average of 16.9%.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.4% while employment declined by 3.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. Regional NSW recorded an employment decline of 1.2%, labour force decline of 0.8%, with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Bathurst Surrounds. Applying these projections to Bathurst Surrounds' employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 indicates that median income in Bathurst Surrounds SA2 is $55,648, with an average income of $65,563. This contrasts with Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215 for the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% from financial year ending June 2023 to March 2026, estimated median income is approximately $61,391 and average income is $72,329 as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Bathurst Surrounds cluster around the 54th percentile nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 31.1% of residents (2,208 people), consistent with broader metropolitan trends at 29.9%. After housing costs, residents retain 88.8% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Bathurst Surrounds, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 99.6% houses and 0.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bathurst Surrounds was 48.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.9% and rented dwellings at 9.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,863, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Bathurst Surrounds was $273, lower than Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Bathurst Surrounds' mortgage repayments were similar to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 76.5% of all households, including 33.6% couples with children, 34.7% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 23.5%, with lone person households at 21.4% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, 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

Educational qualifications in Bathurst Surrounds trail regional benchmarks; 23.5% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees compared to 32.2% in NSW. This gap highlights potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees lead at 15.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 44.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (33.3%).

Educational participation is notably high; 30.3% of residents are currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.5% in primary education, 9.9% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Bathurst Surrounds indicates that there are 485 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 55 individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 527 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in the area is deemed limited, with residents typically residing 627 meters away from their nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential region, most residents commute outward to other areas for work or leisure. The car remains the primary mode of transportation, used by 94% of residents.

On average, there are 2.2 vehicles per dwelling in Bathurst Surrounds, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 20.5% of residents work from home, a figure that may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 75 trips per day, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop. A map accompanies this analysis, highlighting the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance across Bathurst Surrounds.

AreaSearch's assessment shows low prevalence of common health conditions among both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover is at approximately 52% of the total population (~3,685 people), slightly lagging behind the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.7%) and asthma (8.5%). A majority, 67.2%, report being completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents show a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 23.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,631 people). Health outcomes among seniors are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Bathurst Surrounds, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016 data, exhibited lower cultural diversity with 89.2% citizens, 91.6% born in Australia, and 98.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 64.3%, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (32.8%), English (31.7%), and Irish (11.5%).

Notably, Maltese ethnicity was higher at 0.8% compared to the regional average of 0.4%. Scottish ancestry also stood out at 8.5%, slightly higher than the regional figure of 8.0%. French ancestry, however, was marginally higher at 0.5% compared to Regional NSW's 0.4%.

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

Bathurst Surrounds has a median age of 47 years, which is significantly higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55 to 64 are particularly prominent, making up 16.7% of the population, compared to 11.2% nationally. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 age group is comparatively smaller at 8.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 5.7% to 7.5%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 15.1% to 12.8%. By 2041, Bathurst Surrounds is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 65 to 74 group growing by 17 people to reach 1,142 from 974. The 15 to 24 age group will grow more modestly, adding only 5 residents.