Bulahdelah - Stroud

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

Bulahdelah-Stroud's population is around 5,475 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 240 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,235 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,394 from the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 57 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2.3 persons per square kilometer. Bulahdelah-Stroud's growth of 4.6% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth of 2.1%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 83.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering projected demographic shifts, regional areas like Bulahdelah-Stroud are anticipated to experience lower quartile growth, with an expected expansion of 61 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a decrease of 0.4% in total over the 17 years.

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, 8 approvals have been recorded. This area has seen an average of 3.3 new residents per year for every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating significant demand outpacing supply. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $433,000, aligning with broader regional development trends.

In the current financial year, $1.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Bulahdelah-Stroud has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 54th percentile nationally. The area shows a focus on detached dwellings at 95%, maintaining its traditional low-density character with family homes being popular choices.

With approximately 283 people per approval, Bulahdelah-Stroud reflects a low-density population. Population projections indicate stability or decline, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures in the future, which could benefit potential 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 has identified 17 projects that could affect this area. 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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Bulahdelah - Stroud has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

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

Unemployment rate was 3.4% in June 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 0.5%. As of June 2025, 2,528 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation in Bulahdelah-Stroud was 50.3%, lower than Rest of NSW's 56.4%.

Major employment sectors are construction, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and health care & social assistance. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has high representation with a share 2.3 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance had limited presence at 12.2% compared to the regional 16.9%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparison of working population and resident population. Over June 2024-June 2025, employment increased by 0.5%, labour force by 0.6%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 3.2%. Rest of NSW saw employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment to 4.1%. State-level data to Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with state unemployment at 3.9%, compared to national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bulahdelah-Stroud's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, assuming no change in population projections.

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 taxpayer income of $40,416 and an average of $51,385. This is lower than the national average. Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $45,512 (median) and $57,865 (average). Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Bulahdelah - Stroud fall between the 9th and 12th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows the $400 - 799 income bracket dominates with 26.8% of residents (1,467 people), unlike regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 29.9%. After 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, consisted of 97.9% houses and 2.1% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's structure of 73.0% houses and 27.0% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Bulahdelah-Stroud was recorded at 49.2%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (34.5%) or rented (16.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,538, exceeding Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure stood at $300, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Bulahdelah-Stroud's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents 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 constitute 70.5% of all households, including 24.8% composed of couples with children, 34.4% consisting of couples without children, and 10.3% being single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.5%, with lone person households at 26.7% and group households making up 2.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is 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 has university qualification rates of 13.6%, significantly lower than the NSW 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 prominent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 33.2%.

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

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

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

Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents on average located 570 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 53 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop.

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

Health data shows significant health challenges in Bulahdelah - Stroud, with high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 46% (~2540 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.0%) and mental health issues (8.9%). 61.1% of residents report no medical ailments, higher than Rest of NSW's 56.6%. In this area, 26.8% (~1466 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than Rest of NSW's 36.0%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but perform better than the general population in health 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 low cultural diversity, with 89.0% citizens, 90.5% born in Australia, and 97.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 57.8%, compared to 58.5% regionally. Top ancestral groups were Australian (34.4%), English (33.5%), and Irish (8.3%).

Notable differences included overrepresentation of Australian Aboriginal (4.8% vs regional 4.3%), Maltese (0.6% vs 0.5%), and Scottish (7.7% vs 8.0%).

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

Bulahdelah - Stroud's median age in 2021 was 51 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 55-64 cohort was notably over-represented at 17.5% locally, 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 the 15 to 24 age group grew from 8.7% to 10.7%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 8.8% to 10.2%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 14.4% to 12.3%, and the 25 to 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 to 44 group will grow by 12%, reaching 68 people and a total of 629 from 560. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 58% of projected growth. Conversely, both the 65 to 74 and 45 to 54 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.