Bathurst Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

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 7,100 as of Nov 2025. This showed an increase of 191 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,909. The change was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 7,043 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Bathurst Surrounds' growth rate of 2.8% since the census was close to the SA4 region's rate of 2.9%. Natural growth contributed approximately 60.2% of overall population gains recently, with all migration factors also positive.

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 are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on latest numbers, Bathurst Surrounds is expected to increase by 849 persons to 2041, recording a total gain of 11.2% over the 17 years.

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-25147 homes were approved, with an additional 11 approved so far in FY-26. On average, over these five years, 0.5 new residents arrived per year for each new home approved, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand and supporting potential population growth while providing greater buyer choice.

The average construction cost value of new homes was $440,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. This financial year has seen $1.8 million in commercial approvals, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Bathurst Surrounds maintains similar development levels per person, consistent with the broader area's market balance.

All new construction in the area has been detached houses, preserving its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. As of now, there are an estimated 352 people per dwelling approval in the area, reflecting its quiet development environment. Future projections indicate Bathurst Surrounds will add 792 residents by 2041. 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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 40 projects likely impacting the region. Key projects include The Gateway Bathurst, Windy 1100 Subdivision Windradyne, Pretty Heights Estate, and Gilmour Street Seniors Living Development. Below is a list detailing those most relevant.

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

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

Bathurst Surrounds has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 1.1% as of June 2025. It has 4,013 residents in work, which is below the Rest of NSW's rate by 2.6%.

Workforce participation stands at 61.3%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The dominant employment sectors are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly strong with an employment share 2.5 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 12.7% compared to the regional average of 16.9%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.3%, while employment declined by 2.8%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.1% with labour force growth of 0.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that Bathurst Surrounds' employment could grow by approximately 5.7% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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 2022 shows median income in Bathurst Surrounds was $53,222 and average income was $64,268. This compares to Rest of NSW where median income was $49,459 and average income was $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth rate of 12.61% from financial year ending June 2022 to September 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $59,933 and average income would be around $72,372 as of September 2025. The 2021 Census reveals that incomes in Bathurst Surrounds cluster around the 54th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 31.1% of residents (2,208 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, consistent with broader metropolitan trends at 29.9%. After housing costs, residents retain 88.8% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power in the area which has a SEIFA income ranking 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 conducted on 28 August 2016, comprised 99.6% houses and 0.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 86.1% houses and 13.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bathurst Surrounds stood at 48.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.9% and rented ones at 9.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,863, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Bathurst Surrounds was $273, lower than Non-Metro NSW's figure of $315 and significantly below the national average of $375. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Bathurst Surrounds were similar to the Australian average of $1,863.

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 make up 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, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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

Educational qualifications in Bathurst Surrounds show that 23.5% of residents aged 15 and over hold university degrees, compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 44.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (33.3%). Educational participation is high, with 30.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.5% in primary education, 9.9% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education. There are 7 schools operating within Bathurst Surrounds, educating approximately 239 students. These schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School capacity is limited locally (3.4 places per 100 residents vs the regional average of 16.8), leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Transport analysis in Bathurst Surrounds indicates 503 active transport stops operating. These are served by buses via 57 different routes, facilitating 538 weekly passenger trips collectively. Accessibility is limited, with residents typically residing 658 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 76 trips daily across all routes, equating to roughly one weekly trip per individual stop.

Health performance in Bathurst Surrounds is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Bathurst Surrounds faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 52%, higher than the average SA2 area (~3,684 people). The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.7%) and asthma (8.5%). 67.2% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.5% in Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.0% (1,559 people), compared to 19.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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 had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 89.2% of its population being citizens, 91.6% born in Australia, and 98.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Bathurst Surrounds, accounting for 64.3%, compared to 61.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.8%), English (31.7%), and Irish (11.5%).

Notably, Maltese, Scottish, and French ethnicities had higher representations in Bathurst Surrounds than regionally, at 0.8%, 8.5%, and 0.5% respectively.

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 Rest of NSW average of 43 and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, making up 17.1% of the population, compared to the national average of 11.2%. Meanwhile, those aged 25-34 make up only 8.3%, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of individuals aged 75-84 has increased from 5.7% to 6.9%, while the percentage of those aged 45-54 has decreased from 15.1% to 13.1%. By 2041, Bathurst Surrounds is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 65-74 group projected to grow by 19 people, reaching 1,128 from 949, while the 55-64 cohort is projected to decline by 21 people.