Gilgandra

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

Gilgandra's population is approximately 4,452 as of November 2025. This figure represents a 1.2% increase from the 2021 Census count of 4,398 people. The population estimate for June 2024 was 4,409, with an additional 60 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. The population density is 0.80 persons per square kilometer. Gilgandra's growth rate of 1.2% since the census is within 2.2 percentage points of the SA4 region's 3.4%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth accounted for approximately 52.6% 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, 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. By 2041, Gilgandra's population is projected to decrease by 455 persons. However, the 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 27 people during this period.

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

Gilgandra has averaged approximately six new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 31 homes were approved, with four more approved in FY26 so far. Despite population decline, housing supply has been adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $439,000, which is moderately above regional levels, indicating a focus on quality construction. In FY26, $1.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Gilgandra records significantly lower building activity, with 75.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and potential planning constraints.

Recent development has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, maintaining Gilgandra's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 809 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Gilgandra should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Gilgandra has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely impacting the region. Key projects are Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan, Aero Park Residential Estate, Gilgandra Solar Farm, and Inland Rail - Narromine to Narrabri. 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.

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.1%, Gilgandra has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Gilgandra has a balanced workforce with well-represented essential services sectors and an unemployment rate of 3.1% as of September 2025. The unemployment rate is 0.8% lower than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%, but workforce participation is somewhat lower at 54.4%.

Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Gilgandra shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 5.6 times the regional level, while construction is under-represented at 5.3% compared to Rest of NSW's 9.7%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Gilgandra's labour force decreased by 4.1%, with employment decreasing by the same percentage, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 3.1%.

In contrast, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.5% and a labour force decline of 0.1%, with unemployment rising to 4.2%. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National unemployment is higher at 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Gilgandra's employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 11.8% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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 Gilgandra SA2 had a median income of $44,194 and an average income of $50,243. This is lower than the national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average). In Rest of NSW, median income was $49,459 with an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Gilgandra's median and average incomes are approximately $49,767 and $56,579 respectively by September 2025. The 2021 Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Gilgandra fall between the 10th and 16th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 28.8% of Gilgandra's population earning $800 - 1,499 annually, unlike regional trends where 29.9% earn $1,500 - 2,999. Housing costs are modest with 89.4% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at the 16th percentile nationally.

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

In Gilgandra, as per the latest Census, 92.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 7.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This differs from Non-Metro NSW's figures of 88.0% houses and 12.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gilgandra stood at 45.7%, with mortgaged properties making up 27.8% and rented dwellings accounting for 26.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,450. Weekly rent in Gilgandra was recorded at $200, compared to $280 in Non-Metro NSW. Nationally, Gilgandra's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Gilgandra has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.1% of all households, including 22.8% couples with children, 31.4% couples without children, and 12.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.9%, with lone person households at 29.7% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common among these qualifications at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (7.9%) and certificates (31.3%). Educational participation is high, with 29.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.9% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 1.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Gilgandra has 209 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 22 individual routes that collectively provide 184 weekly passenger trips. The town's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 239 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 26 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately zero weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Gilgandra faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46%, covering around 2056 people, compared to NSW's average of 49.7% and Australia's national average of 55.3%. The most common conditions are arthritis (11.2%) and asthma (8.7%).

Approximately 62.7% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Rest of NSW at 64.1%. Gilgandra has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (24.9%, or around 1107 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 19.5%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Gilgandra perform better than the general population.

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

Gilgandra's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.3% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (96.2%), and speaking English only at home (98.3%). The predominant religion in Gilgandra is Christianity, comprising 70.8% of the population, compared to 65.6% across the Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups based on parents' country of birth are Australian (34.9%), English (30.5%), and Australian Aboriginal (10.3%).

Notably, Irish ancestry is overrepresented in Gilgandra at 8.5%, compared to 8.2% regionally, while Scottish ancestry stands at 7.5%, higher than the regional average of 6.6%.

Gilgandra hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Gilgandra has a median age of 46, which is higher than both the Rest of NSW figure at 43 and the national norm at 38. The 55-64 age group comprises 15.1% of Gilgandra's population, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 8.9%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 0-4 age group has increased from 6.2% to 7.3%, and the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 10.4% to 8.9%. By 2041, Gilgandra's age composition is expected to shift significantly. The 75-84 group is projected to grow by 9 people (from 361 to 395), and those aged 65 and above will account for all population growth. Conversely, declines are projected for the 45-54 and 25-34 age groups.