Bulahdelah - Stroud

Bulahdelah - Stroud has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, Bulahdelah - Stroud's population is around 5,475. This reflects a growth of 240 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,235. The increase was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 5,394 in June 2024 and an additional 57 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2.3 persons per square kilometer. Bulahdelah - Stroud's growth rate of 4.6% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's rate of 2.1%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 83.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is projected to expand by 61 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall decrease of 0.4% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Bulahdelah - Stroud when compared nationally

Bulahdelah-Stroud averaged approximately 23 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 118 homes. As of FY-26, 9 approvals have been recorded. On average, each home built between FY-21 and FY-25 accommodated around 3.3 new residents per year. This indicates demand significantly outstripping supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $342,000. In the current financial year, there have been approximately $1.9 million in commercial approvals, suggesting minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Bulahdelah-Stroud records about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 54th percentile nationally.

New development consists predominantly of detached dwellings (95.0%) with a smaller proportion of medium and high-density housing (5.0%), maintaining the area's traditional low density character favoured by families seeking space. With around 283 people per approval, Bulahdelah-Stroud reflects a low density area. Given the expected stability or decline in population, pressure on housing should remain relatively reduced, potentially presenting opportunities for buyers.

Bulahdelah - Stroud has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 17 projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones include the Port Stephens Housing Delivery Program, Stratford Renewable Energy Hub, Port of Newcastle Clean Energy Precinct, and Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan (LEP) & Development Control Plan (DCP). The following list details those most relevant:.

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

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While Bulahdelah - Stroud retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.6%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Bulahdelah - Stroud has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar employment. The construction sector is prominent.

Unemployment rate was 3.6% as of September 2025, 0.2% lower than Rest of NSW's 3.8%. Workforce participation was 50.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries are construction, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and health care & social assistance. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had a high employment share at 2.3 times the regional level.

Health care & social assistance had limited presence with 12.2% employment compared to 16.9% regionally. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force increased by 0.1%, while employment declined by 0.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.5 percentage points. Rest of NSW saw employment decline of 0.5% and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts, valid until May-25, suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bulahdelah - Stroud's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.1% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Bulahdelah - Stroud SA2 had a median income of $40,416 and an average income of $51,385 among taxpayers. These figures are lower than the national averages. The Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $45,512 (median) and $57,865 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Bulahdelah - Stroud fall between the 9th and 12th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 26.8% of locals (1,467 people) earn between $400 and $799, differing from the surrounding region where 29.9% earn between $1,500 and $2,999. After accounting for housing costs, 85.6% of income remains, ranking at the 15th percentile nationally.

Bulahdelah - Stroud is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The dwelling structure in Bulahdelah - Stroud, as per the latest Census, was 97.9% houses and 2.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 73.0% houses and 27.0% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Bulahdelah - Stroud was 49.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.5% and rented dwellings at 16.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,538, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $1,517. The median weekly rent figure was $300, while Non-Metro NSW recorded $330. Nationally, Bulahdelah - Stroud's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,538 than the Australian average of $1,863. Rents in the area were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bulahdelah - Stroud has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 70.5% of all households, including 24.8% couples with children, 34.4% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.5%, with lone person households at 26.7% and group households comprising 2.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.1.

Bulahdelah - Stroud faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 13.6%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (33.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.8% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bulahdelah - Stroud has 189 active public transport stops. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. There are 44 individual routes operating in total, providing 375 weekly passenger trips collectively.

Transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 570 meters from the nearest stop. The service frequency averages 53 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

Health performance in Bulahdelah - Stroud is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Bulahdelah - Stroud faces significant health challenges, with high prevalence of common conditions across age groups and low private health cover at approximately 46%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%.

Key health issues include arthritis (12.0%) and mental health concerns (8.9%). Notably, 61.1% report no medical ailments, compared to 56.6% in Rest of NSW. The area has 26.8% aged 65 and over (1,466 people), lower than the regional average of 36.0%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but better than general population metrics.

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

Bulahdelah-Stroud had a cultural diversity score below the average, with 89.0% of its population being citizens, 90.5% born in Australia, and 97.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Bulahdelah-Stroud, accounting for 57.8% of people, compared to 58.5% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.4%), English (33.5%), and Irish (8.3%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 4.8%, Maltese at 0.6%, and Scottish at 7.7%.

Bulahdelah - Stroud ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Bulahdelah - Stroud's median age in 2021 was 51 years, significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. The 55-64 cohort was notably over-represented at 17.5% locally compared to the Rest of NSW average, while the 25-34 year-olds were under-represented at 6.5%. This concentration in the 55-64 age group is well above the national average of 11.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows that from 2016 to 2021, the 15-24 age group grew from 8.7% to 10.7%, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 8.8% to 10.2%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 14.4% to 12.3%, and the 25-34 group dropped from 8.3% to 6.5%. By 2041, Bulahdelah - Stroud is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 35-44 group will grow by 12%, reaching 68 people and totaling 629 from 560. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 58% of projected growth. Conversely, both the 65-74 age group and the 45-54 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.