Glen Innes
Statistical Area - sa2

Glen Innes is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Glen Innes' population was approximately 9,178 as of August 2025. This figure shows an increase of 247 people from the 2021 Census count of 8,931 individuals. The rise is inferred from ABS estimates: Glen Innes had a population of 8,987 in June 2024, with 51 new validated addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1.7 persons per square kilometer. Between 2021 and 2025, Glen Innes' growth rate of 2.8% exceeded that of its SA3 area (2.7%). The primary driver of population growth was interstate migration, contributing around 66.0% of overall gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022; for uncovers areas, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are applied. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are used for all areas between 2032 and 2041. Future population trends suggest lower quartile growth in regional areas, with Glen Innes expected to increase by 61 persons to 2041, marking a decrease of 1.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Glen Innes, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Glen Innes granted around 15 residential approvals annually. ABS data shows 78 homes approved in the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, with none yet in FY26. The average population growth per dwelling built over these years was 0.4 people. New construction has kept pace or exceeded demand, offering more options and potential for population growth beyond expectations.

Average new home construction cost is $422,000, aligning with regional trends. This financial year saw $7.9 million in commercial approvals, reflecting Glen Innes' primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Glen Innes has about two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 28th percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established properties. New building activity comprises 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% medium-high density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character focused on family homes.

The estimated population count per dwelling approval is 645 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Glen Innes may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Glen Innes has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified 23 infrastructure projects likely to impact the area, with key ones being the Glen Innes Battery Energy Storage System, New England Highway Safety Upgrades, Glen Innes Hospital Redevelopment, and St Joseph's Convent Function Centre (Glen Innes). The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Glen Innes exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Glen Innes has a balanced workforce with equal representation of white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well-represented, with an unemployment rate of 2.9% as of June 2025.

This is lower than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. The area experienced 4.3% employment growth in the past year. There are 4,353 residents currently employed, while workforce participation stands at 47.1%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly strong, with an employment share 3.6 times the regional level. However, construction has limited presence at 6.2%, compared to the regional average of 9.7%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data on working population versus resident population. Between June 2024 and May 2025, employment increased by 4.3% while labour force grew by 3.3%, leading to a 0.9 percentage point decrease in unemployment. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data for Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.5%, and employment growth is 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest potential future demand in Glen Innes. Over five years, national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6%, and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Glen Innes's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 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 Glen Innes had a median income among taxpayers of $37,391 and an average of $45,254. These figures are below the national averages. Comparatively, Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes for Glen Innes are approximately $41,354 (median) and $50,051 (average), as of March 2025. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Glen Innes all fall between the 2nd and 5th percentiles nationally. Income brackets reveal that 32.3% of Glen Innes' population, equating to 2,964 individuals, earn within the $400-$799 range, differing from metropolitan regions where the $1,500-$2,999 category is predominant at 29.9%. The concentration of 43.7% in sub-$800 weekly brackets underscores economic challenges faced by a significant portion of Glen Innes' community. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 87.0% income retention, total disposable income ranks at just the 4th percentile nationally.

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

Glen Innes' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.6% houses and 7.4% other dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 93.0% houses and 6.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glen Innes stood at 48.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.7% and rented ones at 25.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,100. Median weekly rent in Glen Innes was $220, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $240. Nationally, Glen Innes' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,083 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 61.8% of all households, including 18.2% couples with children, 31.8% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 38.2%, with lone person households at 35.6% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate stands at 15.2%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for focused educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common (11.3%), followed by graduate diplomas (2.0%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 9.7%, while certificates make up 31.7%.

Educational participation is high at 28.9%, including 11.5% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 2.3% pursuing tertiary education. Glen Innes has a robust network of 8 schools educating approximately 1,134 students, comprising 6 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. The educational landscape across Glen Innes is varied.

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

Glen Innes has 431 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 27 routes that collectively facilitate 261 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents' homes to the nearest stop is 276 meters, indicating good transport accessibility.

On average, there are 37 trips per day across all routes, which translates to roughly 0 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Glen Innes is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Glen Innes faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 47% (~4,276 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.1%) and mental health issues (9.7%). While 58.6% report no medical ailments, this is slightly lower than Rest of NSW's 61.0%. Glen Innes has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 30.1% (2,762 people) compared to Rest of NSW's 27.4%.

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

Glen Innes, as per the Census 2016 data, had a lower than average cultural diversity: 86.7% of its population were Australian citizens, with 91.6% born in Australia and 97.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Glen Innes, accounting for 64.4% of residents, slightly below the Rest of NSW average of 64.8%. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.9%), Australian (31.9%), and Scottish (9.3%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal people were overrepresented in Glen Innes at 5.2%, compared to 6.4% regionally. German ancestry was equally represented at 3.9%. Irish ancestry was slightly higher than the regional average at 9.1% versus 8.7%.

Glen Innes ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Glen Innes has a median age of 50, which is higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group represents 15.8% of Glen Innes' population, compared to 9.4% nationally and 12.3% in the Rest of NSW. Meanwhile, the 35-44 cohort is less prevalent at 8.6%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group has grown from 9.6% to 10.6%, while the 45-54 cohort has declined from 12.0% to 10.8% and the 55-64 group has dropped from 15.9% to 14.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Glen Innes' age profile will change significantly. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase by 76%, from 337 to 596 people. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 88% of total population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 45-54 cohorts.