Griffith (NSW)
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Griffith are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Griffith NSW's population is approximately 21,641 as of Aug 2025. This figure indicates an increase of 1,072 people, representing a 5.2% rise since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 20,569. This change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 20,703 in June 2024 and an additional 565 validated new addresses post-Census date. The population density stands at 384 persons per square kilometer, suggesting ample space per person and room for further development. Griffith's growth rate since the 2021 Census exceeded both its SA4 region (3.7%) and non-metro areas, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, AreaSearch employs NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 using 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project above median growth for locations outside capital cities, with Griffith expected to increase by 3,022 persons to 2041, marking a total gain of 9.6% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Griffith among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Griffith has recorded approximately 139 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 698 homes. As of FY-26, 46 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.3 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $402,000, aligning with regional trends.

This financial year has seen $112.5 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting strong local business investment. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Griffith has 74.0% more building activity per person, offering buyers greater choice. New building activity comprises 76.0% detached dwellings and 24.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With approximately 131 people per approval, Griffith reflects a low-density area.

Population forecasts indicate Griffith will gain 2,071 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Griffith has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

Twenty projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to influence the local area's performance significantly. These include major infrastructure changes, developments, and planning initiatives. Key projects among these are Griffith Base Hospital Redevelopment, Griffith Hill Lifestyle Estate, Yambil Street Upgrade Stage 4, and Wakaden Street Affordable Townhouses. The following list details those projects likely to have the most relevance.

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

The labour market in Griffith shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Griffith NSW has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.0%, lower than the national average, and it experienced an estimated employment growth of 7.8% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 11,003 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, which is 0.7% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. The workforce participation rate in Griffith is 64.2%, higher than the Rest of NSW average of 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors include manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Manufacturing is particularly specialized with an employment share of 3.6 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance has a limited presence at 12.9% compared to the regional average of 16.9%. While there are local employment opportunities, many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 7.8%, while labour force grew by 8.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.0 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.1% and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, compared to the national average of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts for May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Griffith's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.9% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for the financial year ending June 2022, Griffith's median income among taxpayers is $51,341. The average income in Griffith for this period was $58,989. This figure is lower than the national average. In comparison, Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% from financial year 2022 to March 2025, estimated incomes for Griffith would be approximately $56,783 (median) and $65,242 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Griffith cluster around the 51st percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 36.6% of Griffith's population, equating to 7,920 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range. This pattern is similar to the surrounding region where 29.9% of residents occupy this income range. After accounting for housing costs, residents in Griffith retain 87.3% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power.

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

In Griffith, as per the latest Census evaluation, dwelling structures comprised 80.7% houses and 19.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 87.5% houses and 12.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Griffith stood at 32.8%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (29.3%) or rented (37.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent figure in Griffith was $300, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $250. Nationally, Griffith's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Griffith has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 70.6% of all households, including 32.0% couples with children, 26.1% couples without children, and 11.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.4%, with lone person households at 26.1% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.6 people, matching the Rest of NSW average.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.6%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 34.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 8.5% and certificates at 25.7%. Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 10.9% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

Fourteen schools serve 3,974 students across Griffith, comprising six primary, six secondary, and two K-12 schools.

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

Griffith has 415 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 60 individual routes, collectively providing 1,118 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 117 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 159 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 2 weekly trips per stop.

Griffith's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Griffith residents exhibit relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions like asthma (affecting 8.4% of residents) and arthritis (7.5%) being prevalent among both young and elderly cohorts. Approximately 49% (~10,625 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

About 70.9% report no medical ailments, higher than Rest of NSW's 67.6%. The area has a lower proportion of residents aged 65 and over (16.4%, or 3,555 people) compared to Rest of NSW (18.3%). Overall, the health profile aligns with general population trends.

Griffith was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Griffith's population, surveyed in June 2016, showed higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 28.4% born overseas and 29.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 64.9%. The 'Other' religious category was overrepresented at 4.5%, compared to Rest of NSW's 2.7%.

Ancestry-wise, Australians topped at 21.0%, lower than the regional average of 26.3%. English followed at 20.2% and Italians at 17.7%, significantly higher than the regional average of 12.6%. Notable ethnic group disparities included Samoan (Griffith: 1.5%, regional: 0.8%), Indian (Griffith: 4.9%, regional: 2.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (Griffith: 4.2%, regional: 5.1%).

Griffith's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Griffith is 37 years, which is notably lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 25-34 are prominent at 15.9%, while those aged 65-74 comprise a smaller proportion at 8.5% compared to the Rest of NSW. Between 2021 and present, the population aged 35-44 has increased from 13.1% to 14.1%. Conversely, the age group of 45-54 has decreased from 12.0% to 11.2%. By 2041, projections indicate significant shifts in Griffith's age structure. The 35-44 age cohort is projected to increase by 525 people (17%), rising from 3,060 to 3,586. Conversely, both the 55-64 and 15-24 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.