Cooma

Cooma has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Cooma's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 6782, a rise of 21 people since the 2021 Census which recorded 6761 residents. This increase is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 6716 in June 2024 and validated new addresses totalling 55 since the Census date. The population density is around 65 persons per square kilometre, providing ample space per person. Overseas migration drove recent population growth, contributing approximately 96.8% of overall gains. 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 with a base year of 2021 are utilised. These projections indicate an overall population decline to 6543 by 2041, a reduction of 239 persons. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 85 and over group projected to increase by 103 people.

The level of residential development activity in Cooma is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Cooma has seen approximately 14 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 71 homes. As of FY26, 14 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in the area, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a well-balanced market with good buyer choice. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $196,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more accessible housing choices for buyers.

This financial year, $105.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting robust local business investment. However, Cooma records markedly lower building activity compared to the Rest of NSW, with 59.0% less per person on average. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, which is also below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. All new construction in Cooma has been comprised of standalone homes, maintaining its traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1604 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Cooma should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Cooma has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 41stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Alpine Rise, Cooma Crown Land Housing Development, 3 Thurrung Street Residential Subdivision, and Cooma Festival Swimming Pool Upgrades. The following list details those 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.

The employment landscape in Cooma presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 2.9%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Cooma has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented and an unemployment rate of 2.9% as of September 2025. There are 3,157 residents employed, with the unemployment rate at 1.0% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is lower than the state average at 58.7%.

According to Census responses, only 10.2% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include retail trade, construction, and health care & social assistance. The area has a notable concentration in electricity, gas, water & waste services with employment levels at 5.1 times the regional average. However, health care & social assistance employs only 11.3% of local workers compared to Rest of NSW's 16.9%.

There is one worker for every resident, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 5.7%, with a corresponding 5.9% decline in employment, leading to an unemployment rate increase of 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.5%, with the labour force falling by 0.1% and unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia indicate a projected growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cooma's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, although these are simplified extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

The latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates that Cooma SA2 has an average national income. The median income is $55,693 and the average income stands at $67,735. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures where the median income is $52,390 and the average income is $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $60,627 and an average income of $73,736 as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 42nd percentile ($771 weekly) while household income sits at the 26th percentile. Income analysis shows that the predominant cohort spans 29.7% of locals (2,014 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort likewise represents 29.9%. Housing costs are manageable with 87.1% retained, though disposable income sits below average at the 31st percentile.

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

In Cooma, as per the latest Census evaluation, 88.5% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 11.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cooma stood at 39.8%, similar to Non-Metro NSW. Dwellings were either mortgaged (29.8%) or rented (30.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733 and the national figure of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Cooma was $290, significantly below Non-Metro NSW's $330 and the national average of $375.

Cooma features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 62.2% of all households, including 22.3% couples with children, 28.5% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 37.8%, with lone person households at 34.4% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Cooma aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 21.3%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 14.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.5%) and certificates (30.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in primary education, 6.9% 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

Cooma has 160 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 27 individual routes, providing a total of 313 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Cooma is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 157 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commuting is outward-bound. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 88%, while walking accounts for 8%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.3, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 10.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 44 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Cooma faces significant health challenges as per AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover stands at approximately 53% of the total population (~3,567 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.3%) and mental health issues (9.8%). Conversely, 62.2% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Rest of NSW. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 23.5% of residents aged 65 and over (1,596 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally in line with national rankings.

Cooma ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cooma's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.9% of its population being Australian citizens and 82.7% born in Australia. English was spoken as the only language at home by 90.2% of Cooma residents. Christianity was the dominant religion in Cooma, comprising 54.9% of people, compared to 55.9% across the rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (29.9%), English (26.8%), and Irish (9.1%). Notably, Hungarian ancestry comprised 0.5% of Cooma's population, higher than the regional average of 0.2%. German ancestry was also overrepresented at 4.5%, compared to the regional average of 3.1%, as were Lebanese ancestry at 0.6%, compared to the regional average of 0.2%.

Cooma hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Cooma has a median age of 43, which matches the Rest of NSW figure and is higher than the national average of 38. The age distribution shows that people aged 35-44 years make up 14.2% of the population, while those aged 15-24 years constitute 9.6%. Comparing data from the 2021 Census to earlier figures, the percentage of people aged 35-44 has increased from 12.1% to 14.2%, while the percentages for the 45-54 age group have decreased from 12.3% to 10.2%, and those aged 55-64 have dropped from 13.9% to 12.9%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Cooma's age structure. Notably, the number of people aged 85 years and above is expected to grow by 45%, reaching 316 from 218. The combined population of all age groups over 65 years will account for 68% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Conversely, populations in the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are projected to decrease.