Chart Color Schemes
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 Grenfell is $392k, with units at $360k. House values have moved 2.6% 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.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Grenfell has an estimated 3,550 residents, down from 3,597 at the 2021 Census — a change of 47 people, or 1.3%. 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
Grenfell has a population of approximately 3,550 as of May 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. Compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 3,597 people, this represents a decrease of 47 residents (1.3%). This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 3,549 and 51 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The density of the area stands at 1.1 persons per square kilometer, which indicates residents have plenty of space. The -1.3% decline in Grenfell is close to the SA3 regional decline of -0.6%, differing by only 0.7 percentage points and showing that population patterns are comparable across the broader district.
The main contributor to population increases in recent times was overseas migration, which served as the primary source of growth. Projections for each SA2 area are sourced from ABS/Geoscience Australia data published in 2024, using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this dataset, figures are drawn from the 2022 NSW State Government projections, which use 2021 as the baseline. The age group growth rates derived from these sources are applied to all locations for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Based on this approach, the total population is projected to shrink by 98 persons by 2041. Despite this overall contraction, some age brackets are set to expand, particularly the 85 and over cohort, which is expected to rise by 70 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
35 new dwellings have been approved in Grenfell over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 2.0 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 5, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
On average, Grenfell records about 7 new residential approvals each year, with 35 dwellings approved during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 5 approved so far in FY-26. This pace of construction has been sufficient relative to the falling population, which benefits buyers, and new residences carry an average build cost of $286,000, aligning with regional standards. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $1.5 million have been registered during this financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential character of the locality. Grenfell registers about 69% of the per capita construction volume seen in the Rest of NSW, placing it in the 22nd percentile of areas evaluated nationwide, which limits options for buyers and increases demand for existing properties.
This level of building is also below the national average, indicating a mature market and potential planning barriers. Recent construction is comprised solely of standalone houses, maintaining a low-density profile focused on detached residences that appeal to buyers looking for space. There are approximately 743 people in the area for every single dwelling approval, reflecting a quiet market with low construction volume. Because the population is projected to remain steady or contract, Grenfell is likely to experience less pressure on housing, which may open up opportunities for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Grenfell
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Grenfell, worth an estimated $202 million. A further 79 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $10.7 billion. 28 are already under construction and 27 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics 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 infrastructure projects, planning changes, and major works have a significant impact on area performance. AreaSearch has identified 4 key projects that are likely to influence the local area: Inland Rail - Stockinbingal to Parkes, Inland Rail - Illabo to Stockinbingal, Olympic Highway Safety Improvements, and the Cowra Drought Resilience Plan, with the details of the most relevant projects listed below.
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
Inland Rail - Stockinbingal to Parkes
The Stockinbingal to Parkes section of the Inland Rail project involved enhancing 170.3km of the existing rail corridor in regional New South Wales to accommodate double-stacked freight trains up to 6.5 metres high. Major upgrades delivered by principal contractor Martinus Rail included a new 2.2km crossing loop and automated active level crossing at Daroobalgie, track lowering underneath Wyndham Avenue in Forbes, modifications to the Lachlan River bridge, and clearance and track alignment improvements across several regional rail yards.Major construction reached completion in January 2026, making it the third fully operational section of the overall Inland Rail network.
Inland Rail - Illabo to Stockinbingal
A 39 km greenfield Inland Rail section creating a new single track standard gauge route from east of Illabo to Stockinbingal, bypassing Cootamundra, Bethungra and the Bethungra Spiral. Inland Rail Pty Ltd has primary approvals in place and John Holland is the construction partner. Current works include detailed design, early works, site compounds, construction readiness, a 350 person temporary workers accommodation facility near Stockinbingal, and rail materials delivery, with major construction scheduled from early 2026 and completion targeted for late 2027.
Rockdale Road Upgrade, Young
Upgrade of Rockdale Road to enable B-Double access into the Young industrial area, extending to the emergency services facility (SES and RFS). Scope included road widening, intersection improvements and pavement strengthening.
MACTON Industrial Subdivision
Prestige industrial land subdivision creating 10 fully serviced lots for industrial, warehousing, and logistics uses, with concrete paved cul-de-sac, security fencing, and B-Double route approval. The subdivision is physically complete and council compliant, with some lots sold and remaining lots available for purchase.
Olympic Highway Safety Improvements
A rolling program of safety upgrades along the Olympic Highway corridor. Key active segments include a $5 million upgrade 13km north of Young involving road widening, drainage replacement, and safety barriers, and a $26 million package for overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing near Cowra. The program aims to reduce run-off-road crashes and improve regional freight efficiency between the Hume Highway and Cowra.
Thornhill Street Pavement Upgrades
The project involves reconstructing the pavement on Thornhill Street due to failures, deformation, and end of useful life. Works include in situ chemical stabilisation, trimming, sealing, asphalting, and stormwater upgrades. Stage 2 is underway south of Spring Street, with temporary road closures for safety.
Young Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade
Replacement of the existing sewage treatment plant with a modern 12,000 EP facility to enhance treatment processes and enable reuse of treated water for irrigation of public parks and fields, reducing reliance on potable water.
Young High School and New Joint Use Library and Community Facility Upgrade
The project delivered a new 2.5-storey joint use library and community facility integrated with Young High School and Carrington Park. Key features include new learning spaces, reading and study areas, technology facilities, children's activity area, youth wellbeing hub, arts floor with gallery, coffee bar, Wiradjuri learning centre, staff hub, canteen, student toilets, and landscaping.
1,733 residents of Grenfell are employed, from a labour force of 1,789. Unemployment sits at 3.1%, with participation at 58.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,247, about 91% 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
The local economy features a balanced mix of white-collar and blue-collar positions across diverse industries, with unemployment standing at a low 3.1%. As of March 2026, there are 1,733 employed residents, and the unemployment rate is 1.0% lower than the 4.1% rate recorded in Regional NSW, while participation in the labour force is close to the Regional NSW average of 60.6%. Census figures indicate that a moderate 21.8% of employed residents worked from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The region exhibits a high level of specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, which employs 6.4 times the regional proportion of workers. Conversely, health care & social assistance has a smaller footprint, accounting for 11.5% of employment compared to 16.9% across the region. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are limited. An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that in the year ending March 2026, the local workforce shrank by 1.2% and employment fell by 1.8%, leading to a 0.6 percentage point increase in unemployment. In comparison, Regional NSW saw employment decline by 0.9%, the labour force contract by 0.4%, and unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points. Future demand trends in Grenfell can be interpreted through national employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce distribution to project growth. Nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry mix indicates that Grenfell's employment could grow by 5.0% over five years and 11.3% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Grenfell is $1,043 a week (about $54,000 a year), with median personal income at $575 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,050 a year against an average of $47,517. 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
According to financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch, taxpayer incomes in the Grenfell SA2 sit below the national average. The median income for taxpayers in the area is $43,050, and the average income is $47,517, compared to Regional NSW averages of $52,390 and $65,215. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $47,493 for the median and $52,421 for the average. Census records place household, family, and individual incomes in Grenfell between the 4th and 9th percentiles nationally.
The largest income group is the $800 - 1,499 bracket, containing 28.7% of residents (1,018 people), which differs from the regional pattern where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is largest at 29.9%. Although housing costs are low, leaving residents with 90.9% of their income, total disposable income ranks in the 10th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Grenfell had 1,497 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 4% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 19% rented and 55% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $198 a week and the median mortgage repayment $953 a month. Rent absorbs 19.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing profile in Grenfell at the time of the latest Census consisted of 93.7% houses and 6.3% other dwelling types like apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative residences, compared to Regional NSW where houses made up 82.6% and other dwellings accounted for 17.4%. Home ownership in Grenfell was high at 55.0%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (25.9%) or rented (19.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $953 was lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $198 was lower than the regional average of $330.
Compared nationally, Grenfell's mortgage costs are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Grenfell counted 1,497 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 21% are couples with children, fewer than in 85% of areas nationally, against 34% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 64.3% of households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 20.5%, couples without children at 33.5%, and single parent households at 8.5%. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.7%, with single person households representing 34.1% and group houses making up 1.9%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.4% of adults in Grenfell hold a university qualification, including 11.0% with a bachelor degree and 1.7% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 81% of areas nationally. A further 29.1% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 459 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 966 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
The community has lower rates of tertiary education, with 14.4% of residents holding university qualifications compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents a challenge as well as a chance to introduce targeted education programs. Among university graduates, Bachelor degrees are held by 11.0%, postgraduate qualifications by 1.7%, and graduate diplomas by 1.7%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 39.2% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (29.1%). Enrollment rates in education are high, with 25.5% of the population currently studying. This group is composed of 9.1% in primary school, 9.1% in high school, and 2.3% in tertiary study.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Grenfell reaches 270 stops on 23 routes, timetabled for about 220 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.6 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
There are 270 public transport stops in Grenfell, featuring a combination of train and bus services. These stops support 23 separate routes that provide 223 weekly passenger trips. Access to transport is high, with residents living an average of 178 meters from the nearest stop. Private cars remain the primary method of travel at 86%, while 10% of residents walk to work. The average number of vehicles per home is 1.6. Work-from-home arrangements were recorded for 21.8% of residents in the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions. Routes average 31 trips per day, which represents approximately 0 weekly trips per individual stop.
The accompanying map displays the 100 closest stops relative to the centrepoint of the location.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.4% of residents in Grenfell report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 81% of areas nationally. 7.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 45.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch indicate notable challenges for Grenfell, based on mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across young and old age brackets. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is low at approximately 46% of the population (~1,629 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 12.8% and 9.2% of residents. Meanwhile, 59.4% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Chronic disease rates are elevated among the working-age population.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 31.2% of the local population (1,107 people), which is higher than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, with national rankings aligning closely with those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Grenfell is largely Australian-born, at 93.9% of residents, with 1.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.0%) and Australian (34.6%). 3.3% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Grenfell shows lower levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 91.3% of the population, 93.9% of residents born in Australia, and 98.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 69.5% of residents, compared to 55.9% in Regional NSW. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three most common heritages in Grenfell are English at 35.0%, Australian at 34.6%, and Irish at 9.5%. There are also specific differences compared to broader regional averages: Scottish heritage is slightly higher at 8.4% of the population (compared to 8.0% regionally), while Australian Aboriginal heritage stands at 3.3% (compared to 4.6% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Grenfell is 52, older than 94% of areas nationally. 18.8% 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 median age of 52 in Grenfell is higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is larger locally at 15.9% compared to Regional NSW, while 25 - 34 year-olds are smaller at 8.1%. The local concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds is higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 8.7% to 10.8% of the population, and the 75 to 84 bracket has grown from 9.8% to 11.2%, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.1% to 11.0%.
Population forecasts for 2041 point to shifts, with the 85+ group projected to grow by 52%, adding 74 people to reach 220. Residents aged 65 and over will account for 77% of population growth, highlighting the aging trend. Conversely, the 35 to 44 and 75 to 84 cohorts are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Grenfell
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) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this 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 | May 2026 3 months ago all 1 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month 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 — 51 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,597 at the 2021 Census → 3,550 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 May 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 (103021066). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.