Goonellabah

An assessment of population growth drivers in Goonellabah reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Goonellabah's population was around 14,246 as of May 2026, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This represented an increase of 655 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,591 people. The growth was inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,177 in June 2025 and an additional 273 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a population density ratio of 564 persons per square kilometer. Goonellabah's population grew by 4.8% between the 2021 Census and May 2026, outpacing both its SA3 area (0.0%) and SA4 region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 45.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, while interstate migration and natural growth also played positive roles.

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 the years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of national regional areas, with the area expected to expand by 771 persons to reach a total of 15,017 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 4.9% over the 16-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Goonellabah when compared nationally

Goonellabah recorded approximately 74 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 373 homes. As of FY26, 52 approvals have been recorded. On average, around 1.4 new residents arrived per year for each new home between FY21 and FY25. The average value of new dwellings was $263,000, lower than regional norms, indicating more affordable housing options.

In FY26, $5.8 million in commercial approvals have been recorded, suggesting limited commercial development focus compared to residential activity. Goonellabah shows 90.0% higher building activity per person compared to the Rest of NSW. Recent construction comprises 80.0% detached houses and 20.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character. The location has approximately 250 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market.

Population forecasts estimate Goonellabah will gain 702 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Goonellabah has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include Platypus Park Residential Development, Invercauld Road Subdivision at 226 Invercauld Road, Goonellabah Urban Release Area at 1055 Bruxner Highway, and Points North Estate. The following list details those likely to be 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.

Employment performance in Goonellabah has been broadly consistent with national averages

Goonellabah has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.6%. Over the past year, it has shown relative employment stability.

As of December 2025, 6,555 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.3%, 0.6% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is similar to Regional NSW's at 60.4%. According to Census responses, 12.4% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.

The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 2.7%, below Regional NSW's 5.3%. Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 0.4% while labour force decreased by 0.2%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Goonellabah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The Goonellabah SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $48,895 and an average of $58,456 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This was below Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. By March 2026, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% suggest a median taxpayer income of approximately $53,941 and an average of $64,489 in Goonellabah. According to the 2021 Census, household incomes ranked at the 27th percentile, family incomes at the 21st percentile, and personal incomes at the 29th percentile in Goonellabah. Income distribution data showed that the largest segment comprised 31.4% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly. This is similar to the surrounding region where 29.9% occupied this income range. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 83.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 22nd percentile.

Goonellabah is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Goonellabah, as per the latest Census, 78.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 21.9% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Goonellabah stood at 37.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.2% and rented ones at 29.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,560, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Goonellabah was $320, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Goonellabah's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,560 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $320 compared to the national figure of $375.

Goonellabah features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 65.5% of all households, including 24.4% couples with children, 25.7% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.5%, with lone person households at 31.0% and group households comprising 3.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the Regional NSW average.

Educational outcomes in Goonellabah fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 21.3%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 28.0%. Educational participation is high, with 28.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.8% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Goonellabah has 353 active public transport stops, all bus services. These are covered by 45 routes offering 751 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is excellent, with residents typically living 111 meters from the nearest stop. Most commutes are outward-bound due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode at 96%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average.

Only 12.4% of residents work from home (2021 Census). Service frequency averages 107 trips daily across all routes, about 2 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Goonellabah faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~6,866 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.1 and 9.9% of residents respectively, while 59.8% reported being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. The working-age population faces substantial health challenges with high chronic condition rates. As of the latest data (2021), Goonellabah has 22.2% of residents aged 65 and over (3,169 people), which is lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Goonellabah is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Goonellabah, as per the census conducted on 27 June 2016, showed lower cultural diversity with 89.7% of its population born in Australia and 91.4% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 93.6%. Christianity was the predominant religion, followed by 55.5% of Goonellabah's population.

The category 'Other' showed an overrepresentation with 1.6%, compared to Regional NSW's 0.8%. In terms of ancestry, Australians made up 30.1%, English 30.0%, and Irish 9.3% of the population. Notably, Australian Aboriginals were at 5.2% (vs regional 4.6%), Scottish at 8.0% (same as regionally), and Italian at 3.2% (vs regional 2.1%).

Goonellabah's median age exceeds the national pattern

Goonellabah's median age is 42 years, similar to Regional NSW's average of 43 but considerably older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 0-4 years are particularly prominent at 6.4%, while the 65-74 group is comparatively smaller at 11.4% compared to Regional NSW. Between 2021 and present, the population of those aged 35-44 has grown from 11.7% to 12.6%. Conversely, the population of those aged 55-64 has declined from 12.4% to 11.6%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Goonellabah. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 61%, adding 284 residents to reach 750. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 65-74 cohorts.