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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Goulburn Surrounds is $680k, with units at $590k. House values have moved -0.9% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Goulburn Surrounds has an estimated 14,642 residents, up from 13,839 at the 2021 Census — a change of 803 people, or 5.8%. Growth has averaged 1.2% a year over five years. 520 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 68.8% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluates the population of Goulburn Surrounds at approximately 14,642 as of Aug 2026, marking an addition of 803 people (5.8%) above the 13,839 residents recorded during the 2021 Census. This upward trajectory is calculated utilizing the ABS estimated resident population figure of 14,411 as of June 2025 alongside 520 validated new addresses identified following the Census. The region offers significant personal living space, characterized by a density of 1.6 persons per square kilometer. Outperforming both the Rest of NSW and the broader SA4 region (4.7%), Goulburn Surrounds's 5.8% expansion establishes it as a local growth standout.
Net interstate migration served as the foremost catalyst, generating roughly 68.8% of aggregate population additions over recent timeframes, supplemented by positive inflows from natural increase and overseas migration. Projections for each individual SA2 territory are drawn from ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 (using 2022 as their baseline), while areas lacking coverage rely on 2022 NSW State Government SA2 forecasts (using 2021 as a base). Cohort-specific growth distributions from these sources are extended across all locations for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, local demographic trajectory indicates an expansion surpassing the regional Australian median, with expectations to gain 2,629 persons through to 2041 according to recent annual ERP data, amounting to an overall 16.4% growth over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
452 new dwellings have been approved in Goulburn Surrounds over the past five years, an average of 90 a year. That places the area in the 74th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 90 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 98% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building activity in Goulburn Surrounds registers roughly 90 dwelling approvals per year, totaling 452 homes consented across the previous 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Market balance remains firm with an intake of 1.8 new residents per year for each newly approved dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), alongside an average expected residential construction cost of $488,000. Underscoring the region's strong residential character, commercial building approvals have totaled $5.5 million across the current financial year. Per-capita building rates in Goulburn Surrounds align closely with the Rest of NSW benchmark, sustaining balanced property market dynamics.
New housing additions reflect an emphasis on spacious living environments favored by lifestyle buyers, with standalone houses representing 98.0% of recent construction while medium and high-density formats account for 2.0%. A low-density urban footprint is further confirmed by an average of roughly 173 people per dwelling approval. Forecasts from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release anticipate Goulburn Surrounds will expand by 2,398 residents by 2041. Ongoing construction volumes remain in harmony with upcoming residential needs, encouraging balanced market conditions without fueling sharp price inflation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Goulburn Surrounds
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 27 current infrastructure and development projects inside Goulburn Surrounds, worth an estimated $4.73 billion. A further 89 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $11 billion. 31 are already under construction and 35 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and environmental & disaster management. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local development patterns and economic performance are heavily shaped by strategic public works, major development schemes, and planning approvals. AreaSearch has cataloged a total of 61 significant projects with potential local influence, highlighted by the Mary's Mount Residential Subdivision (Blakelys Run), Crookwell 3 Wind Farm, Homes NSW Social Housing Development - Crestwood, and Mistful Park Estate.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Crookwell 3 Wind Farm
Operational 16-turbine wind farm near Goulburn delivering ~58 MW. Developed and operated by GPG Australia with an 80% offtake PPA to Telstra. Commissioning completed and project handed to operations in early 2025.
Goulburn Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
Expansion of the Goulburn Wastewater Treatment Plant to enhance capacity to support growing housing needs, serving up to 40,000 Equivalent Persons.
Clinton and Deccan Street Roundabout
Construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Clinton Street and Deccan Street.
Shared Pathways Extension
Extension of the shared pathway network in Goulburn, focusing on areas like Victoria Park, Goulburn High School, and Goulburn Base Hospital to promote active walking and cycling.
School Safety Upgrades
Goulburn Mulwaree Council delivered raised pedestrian (wombat) crossings with upgraded lighting and associated traffic calming works at Goulburn East Public School, Marulan Public School and Mulwaree High School. Construction commenced during late 2025 and early 2026 under the Get NSW Active Program to improve pedestrian safety around school zones.
Joppa Junction Rail Crossover
Construction of new bidirectional rail crossovers at Joppa Junction, south of Goulburn, as part of the Southern Highlands Overtaking Opportunities (SHOO) project. The project improves capacity, flexibility and efficiency on the Sydney to Melbourne rail corridor by enabling freight trains up to 1,800m in length to be overtaken by faster services. Scope includes installation of four 1:18.5 crossovers, track reconditioning, civil embankment and drainage works, access road improvements, and signalling construction, testing and commissioning. The Southern Highlands corridor is the most heavily used section of the ARTC network outside the Hunter Valley, carrying over three million tonnes of freight annually.
Taralga Road Safety Upgrades
Safety improvements along Taralga Road including installation of safety barriers, improved signage, line marking upgrades, guideposts, and shoulder sealing to reduce accident risk on this rural arterial road connecting Goulburn to surrounding communities. Funded through the Federal Road Black Spot Program with $500,000 investment.
Gundary Solar Farm
The Gundary Solar Farm is a proposed 400 MW DC renewable energy facility featuring approximately 740,000 solar panels and a significant 555 MW / 1,570 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Located on 708 hectares, the project utilizes agrivoltaics to maintain sheep grazing. As of early 2026, the project is under assessment by the NSW Department of Planning following formal objections from the local Council in January 2026. Construction is now anticipated to commence in late 2027.
7,341 residents of Goulburn Surrounds are employed, from a labour force of 7,509. Unemployment sits at 2.2%, with participation at 62.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 13,023, about 89% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A highly capable local labour pool is present across Goulburn Surrounds, spanning diverse industry sectors while maintaining a low unemployment rate of 2.2%. Employed residents reached 7,341 as of March 2026, with the jobless rate tracking 1.9% below the 4.1% recorded for Regional NSW, and local labour force participation aligning closely with the regional benchmark of 60.6%. Census records indicated that 20.5% of working locals operated from home, though potential distortions from Covid-19 restrictions should be noted. Local workforce engagement is heavily concentrated across agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction.
Primary production stands out prominently, showing an employment concentration 3.6 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance engages 11.5% of resident workers, trailing behind the Regional NSW level of 16.9%. Comparisons between resident counts and Census workplace numbers indicate limited local employment opportunities within the immediate boundaries. AreaSearch review of ABS and SALM figures shows that over the twelve months to March 2026, the local workforce decreased by 2.3% in tandem with a 2.3% contraction in employment, resulting in a steady unemployment rate. In comparison, Regional NSW recorded a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% decline in labour force, and a 0.5 percentage points climb in joblessness. National outlooks published in Mar-26 by Jobs and Skills Australia give perspective on longer-term local demand across five and ten-year horizons. Across Australia, workforce numbers are projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, although trajectory varies by industry. Mapping these sector projections to the Goulburn Surrounds industry profile suggests potential local job growth of 5.6% over five years and 12.0% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighted calculation that excludes localized population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Goulburn Surrounds is $1,516 a week (about $79,000 a year), with median personal income at $735 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $50,765 a year against an average of $63,130. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that earnings across the Goulburn Surrounds SA2 sit under national averages, featuring a median of $50,765 and an average of $63,130. These results track below the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Incorporating cumulative Wage Price Index gains of 10.32% since financial year 2023 produces estimated March 2026 earnings of roughly $56,004 (median) and $69,645 (average). Census returns position local family, household, and individual income tiers between the 35th and 36th percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket forms the largest share, comprising 30.2% of residents (4,421 people), matching the broader regional proportion of 29.9%.
Local households retain 88.0% of earnings after housing commitments, with overall disposable income sitting at the 41st percentile and the SEIFA income metric landing in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Goulburn Surrounds had 5,054 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 35% are owned with a mortgage, 14% rented and 51% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,733 a month. Rent absorbs 19.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records show the local dwelling landscape in Goulburn Surrounds is heavily dominated by detached houses at 98.1%, with semi-detached structures, units, and other configurations accounting for 1.9%, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings across Regional NSW. Outright ownership stands at an elevated 51.2%—substantially above regional benchmarks—while remaining properties are mortgaged (35.3%) or occupied by tenants (13.5%). Monthly median mortgage costs align with the Regional NSW standard at $1,733, whereas weekly median rents of $300 sit below the regional figure of $330. From a broader perspective, local mortgage repayments remain beneath the national average of $1,863, and weekly rents are markedly lower than the Australian benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Goulburn Surrounds counted 5,054 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 5,347 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 37% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 73.0%, featuring couples without children (36.6%), couples with children (28.3%), and single parent families (7.7%). Non-family living arrangements account for the other 27.0%, divided between single-person dwellings (25.3%) and group households (1.6%). Average household size stands at 2.5 people, exceeding the Regional NSW benchmark of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.8% of adults in Goulburn Surrounds hold a university qualification, including 12.3% with a bachelor degree and 3.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 32.3% hold a vocational qualification. 13 schools serve the area, with 831 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 953 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Local attainment figures highlight an educational gap, with 17.8% of residents holding a tertiary degree compared to the NSW statewide benchmark of 32.2%. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications represent 12.3%, followed by postgraduate credentials (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational qualifications are widespread across the population aged 15+, with 43.9% holding trade or technical certifications, comprising certificates (32.3%) and advanced diplomas (11.6%). Learning engagement across the area is strong, with 27.5% of the population actively enrolled in formal study. This cohort includes 10.0% attending primary school, 8.6% in secondary education, and 2.6% undertaking higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Goulburn Surrounds reaches 742 stops on 52 routes, timetabled for about 950 services a week. The typical home sits about 260 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 2.0 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A network of 742 public transport boarding points operates across Goulburn Surrounds, combining train and bus services. A total of 52 routes connect these stops, generating 950 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is favorable, with the typical resident residing 255 meters from the closest boarding stop. Due to its residential character, commuter travel is predominantly directed outward, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of journeys and walking representing 5%. Vehicle ownership sits higher than the regional norm at 2.0 per dwelling, while 20.5% of workers reported working from home during the 2021 Census under prevailing pandemic influences.
Transit services provide an average frequency of 135 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 1 weekly trips per individual stop. A collection of the 100 closest stops relative to the geographic midpoint is displayed on the associated map.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.8% of residents in Goulburn Surrounds report no long-term health condition. 5.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch assessment indicates below-average community health outcomes in Goulburn Surrounds across chronic disease rates and mortality metrics, with common conditions showing slightly higher prevalence across younger and older demographics alike. Private health insurance membership is comparatively restrained, encompassing approximately 50% of residents (~7,394 people) compared to 55.7% nationally. Arthritis and asthma constitute the leading diagnosed conditions across the community, reported by 12.1% and 7.8% of the population, respectively, while 62.8% of individuals reported no long-term medical conditions, comparable to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Health burdens are elevated among working-age individuals experiencing chronic conditions.
Senior residents aged 65 and over comprise 25.8% of the community (3,779 people), surpassing the Regional NSW level of 23.3%, with nationwide comparative standings aligning closely with broader population averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Goulburn Surrounds is largely Australian-born, at 89.8% of residents, with 3.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.2%) and English (31.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural homogeneity is prominent in Goulburn Surrounds, with 89.8% of the populace born in Australia, 89.5% holding Australian citizenship, and 96.1% using only English at home. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation, observed by 66.7% of the community, outpacing the 55.9% share recorded throughout Regional NSW. In terms of ancestral heritage based on parental birthplaces, Australian leads at 32.2%, followed by English at 31.5% and Irish at 11.0%. Notable variations also appear within specific community backgrounds, including Maltese at 0.8% (compared to 0.4% regionally), Scottish at 8.2% (vs 8.0%), and Lebanese at 0.3% (vs 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Goulburn Surrounds is 48, older than 86% of areas nationally. 18.7% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution of Goulburn Surrounds mirrors broader Regional NSW patterns, with the maximum cohort variance standing at 5.1 percentage points. AreaSearch estimates the August 2026 median age at 48 years, mirroring the 2021 Census outcome while sitting 5 years older than the Regional NSW median of 43 and above the national Census benchmark of 38. Within age brackets, mature working-age and pre-retirement cohorts (45 - 64) have decreased from 31.1% at the Census to an estimated 28.6%. Long-term projections indicate that retirement and senior cohorts (65+) will drive the majority of growth to 2041, increasing by 942 residents (25%) to total 4,721.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Goulburn Surrounds
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 27 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 520 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (13,839 at the 2021 Census → 14,642 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (101051540). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.