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 was approximately 21,641 as of August 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This reflected an increase of 1,072 people (5.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,569. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,703 in June 2024 and an additional 565 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a population density ratio of 384 persons per square kilometer. Griffith's growth rate exceeded that of its SA4 region (3.7%) and non-metro areas. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 used NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group were applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends projected an above median growth for locations outside capital cities, with Griffith expected to increase by 3,022 persons to 2041, recording a 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 granted approximately 89 residential property approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that between financial years 2020 to 2025, around 448 dwellings were approved, with 38 approvals recorded in the current financial year 2026. On average, 0.3 people have moved to Griffith per dwelling built over these five years. This pace of new supply meets or exceeds demand, offering ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond forecasts.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $402,000, aligning with regional trends. In the current financial year, $112.5 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Griffith has 78.0% more building activity per capita, providing buyers greater choice. The area's new building activity comprises 76.0% detached dwellings and 24.0% attached dwellings, preserving its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 131 people per approval, Griffith reflects a low-density population. Population forecasts project Griffith will gain 2,071 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified twenty projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include Griffith Base Hospital Redevelopment, Griffith Hill Lifestyle Estate, Yambil Street Upgrade Stage 4, and Wakaden Street Affordable Townhouses. The following list details those most relevant.

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 manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.0% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 7.8%.

As of June 2025, 11,003 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation is higher at 64.2% versus the region's 56.4%. Key employment sectors include manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Manufacturing is particularly dominant, with a share of employment 3.6 times the regional level.

Health care & social assistance has limited presence, with 12.9% employment compared to the regional 16.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the past year, employment increased by 7.8% alongside labour force increasing by 8.8%, causing unemployment to rise 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%. National forecasts suggest employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Griffith's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.9% over five years and 11.5% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022 shows Griffith's median income among taxpayers is $51,341. The average income in Griffith during this period was $58,989. This is lower than the national average. Comparing to Rest of NSW, Griffith's median income was $51,341 compared to Rest of NSW's median of $49,459, and Griffith's average income was $58,989 compared to Rest of NSW's average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Griffith would be approximately $56,783 (median) and $65,242 (average) as of March 2025. Census data indicates that incomes in Griffith cluster around the 51st percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 36.6% of Griffith's population (7,920 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 29.9% similarly occupy this range. After housing costs, residents 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

Dwelling structure in Griffith, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 80.7% houses and 19.3% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 87.5% houses and 12.6% other dwellings during the same Census period. Home ownership in Griffith was at 32.8%, with mortgaged properties at 29.3% and rented dwellings at 37.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Griffith was $1,500 as of June 2021, compared to Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent figure for Griffith was recorded at $300 during the same period, while Non-Metro NSW had a figure of $250 per week. Nationally, Griffith's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863 as of June 2021, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 per week during the same period.

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

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

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 the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 34.2% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 8.5% and certificates at 25.7%. Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.9% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education. There are 14 schools serving 3,974 students in the area, comprising 6 primary, 6 secondary, and 2 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 routes that collectively facilitate 1,118 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 117 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is 159 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately two 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 show relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions similar across age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49%, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 8.4% and 7.5% of residents respectively. 70.9% report no medical ailments, higher than Rest of NSW's 67.6%. There are 16.4% residents aged 65 and over (3,555 people), lower than Rest of NSW's 18.3%, broadly aligning with general population health profiles.

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 has 28.4% born overseas, with 29.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Griffith, comprising 64.9%. Notably, 4.5% of Griffith's population identifies as Other, higher than Rest of NSW's 2.7%.

In ancestry, Australian (21.0%), English (20.2%) and Italian (17.7%) are the top groups in Griffith, with Italian being substantially higher than the regional average of 12.6%. Samoan is overrepresented at 1.5%, Indian at 4.9%, both exceeding their respective regional averages of 0.8% and 2.4%. Australian Aboriginal representation is lower at 4.2%, compared to the region's 5.1%.

Griffith's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

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