Gilgandra
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Gilgandra's population, as of Aug 2025, is approximately 4,450, reflecting a growth of 52 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 4,398. This increase is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 4,411 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since then. This results in a population density ratio of 0.80 persons per square kilometer. Gilgandra's growth rate of 1.2% since the census is comparable to its SA4 region's growth of 3.2%. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.6% of overall population gains recently.

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. Projections indicate a decline in overall population by 455 persons by 2041, but growth is anticipated in specific age cohorts, notably the 75 to 84 age group with an expected increase of 27 people.

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. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 31 homes were approved. As of FY26, no new dwellings have been recorded yet.

This is despite Gilgandra experiencing population decline, suggesting that new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice. The average expected construction cost value for new properties in the area is $510,000. In contrast, $1.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of NSW, Gilgandra records significantly lower building activity, 75.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

The area's activity is also below national averages, reflecting its maturity and potentially suggesting 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. With an estimated 809 people per dwelling approval, the area reflects a quiet, low activity development environment. Given that population is expected to remain stable or decline, Gilgandra should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Gilgandra has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects expected to influence the region. Notable initiatives include Aero Park Residential Estate, Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan, Gilgandra Solar Farm, and Inland Rail - Narromine to Narrabri. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.3%, Gilgandra has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Gilgandra has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, well-represented essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 3.3% as of June 2025. The unemployment rate is 0.4% lower than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%, but workforce participation is slightly below standard at 54.4%.

Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Gilgandra has a 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 offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. In the year ending June 2025, Gilgandra's labour force decreased by 1.8%, and employment decreased by 2.6%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points.

Compared to Rest of NSW, which had an employment decline of 0.1% and unemployment increase of 0.4 percentage points, Gilgandra's changes were more significant. State-level data for NSW as of Sep-25 shows employment contracted by 0.41%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National unemployment rate is 4.5%, with national employment growth at 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Gilgandra's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.3% over five years and 11.8% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Income data from AreaSearch's postcode level ATO figures for financial year 2022 shows Gilgandra 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) for Rest of NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $48,879 (median) and $55,569 (average). The 2021 Census revealed that household, family and personal incomes in Gilgandra all fall between the 10th and 16th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 28.8% of Gilgandra's population earned within the $800 - $1,499 range, compared to regional levels where 29.9% earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. Housing costs are modest with 89.4% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just 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 compares to Non-Metro NSW's 88.0% houses and 12.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gilgandra stood at 45.7%, with mortgaged properties at 27.8% and rented ones at 26.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,450. The median weekly rent in Gilgandra was $200, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $280. Nationally, Gilgandra's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and 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 comprise 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 make up 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 15.1%, significantly below the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.9%) and certificates (31.3%).

Educational participation is high at 29.8%, including primary education (12.9%), secondary education (8.8%), and tertiary education (1.2%). Gilgandra's four schools have a combined enrollment of 559 students, serving distinct age groups with three primary and one secondary school. School places per 100 residents are lower at 12.6 compared to the regional average of 16.2, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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 are serviced by 22 routes providing 184 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated 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. Only approximately 46% (~2055 people) have private health cover, compared to 49.7% in Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (11.2%) and asthma (8.7%).

About 62.7% claim to be free from medical ailments, slightly lower than the 64.1% in Rest of NSW. Gilgandra has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 24.9% (1107 people), compared to 19.5% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, but they perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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%). Christianity is the predominant religion in Gilgandra, accounting for 70.8% of the population, compared to 65.6% across the Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups 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, and Scottish ancestry is also higher at 7.5%, compared to 6.6%.

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

Gilgandra's median age is 46, which is slightly higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and significantly higher than the national norm of 38. The 55-64 age group comprises 15.1%, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 8.9%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 0-4 age group has grown from 6.2% to 7.3%, and the 25-34 cohort has declined from 10.4% to 8.9%. By 2041, Gilgandra is projected to see significant shifts in its age composition. The 75-84 group is expected to grow by 9% (33 people), reaching 395 from 361. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising all of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 25-34 cohorts.