Gundagai
Statistical Area - sa2

Gundagai is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Gundagai's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 3,786 people. This figure represents an increase of 71 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,715. The growth was inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,734 in June 2024 and the addition of 12 validated new addresses after the Census date. This results in a population density of 1.6 persons per square kilometer. Gundagai's 1.9% growth since the census is within 1.4 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.3%), indicating competitive growth trends. Natural growth accounted for approximately 52.7% 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. According to these projections, Gundagai's population is expected to decline by 283 persons by 2041. However, growth within specific age cohorts is anticipated, with the 75 to 84 age group projected to increase by 58 people over this period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Gundagai, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Gundagai has granted around 14 residential property approvals each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, it approved a total of 71 homes and one more in FY-26 so far. On average, this results in about 0.8 new residents per year for each new home approved during these five years.

This indicates that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more buyer choices while supporting potential population growth above projections. The average cost to develop a new dwelling is $489,000. In FY-26 alone, $17.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating steady commercial investment activity in the area.

Comparatively, Gundagai shows about 75% of the construction activity per person when compared to the Rest of NSW. Nationally, it ranks among the 20th percentile of areas assessed for construction activity, suggesting somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings. The recent building activity consists solely of standalone homes, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. This results in an estimated count of 1167 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet and low-activity development environment. Population projections for Gundagai indicate stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures and benefit potential buyers in the area.

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

Twenty-three infrastructure projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Sheridan Street Upgrade, Gundagai Netball Courts Upgrades, Public Toilet Facility in Gundagai's Main Street, and Sheahan Bridge (Hume Highway) Upgrade. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Gundagai exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Gundagai has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominently featuring manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%.

Over the past year, employment grew by an estimated 8.2%. As of June 2025, 1,832 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.7% lower than Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation matches Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Agriculture, forestry & fishing, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance are the dominant employment sectors among residents.

Gundagai has a particularly strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, employing 4.0 times more people than the regional level. However, health care & social assistance employs only 11.0% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 16.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over a 12-month period ending in June 2025, employment increased by 8.2%, while the labour force grew by 8.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW's employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National forecasts suggest employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 11.2% over ten years in Gundagai.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Gundagai had a median taxpayer income of $45,976 and an average of $59,779. Nationally, the median is $49,459 and the average is $62,998. Rest of NSW has median and average incomes of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. By March 2025, estimates suggest Gundagai's median income will be approximately $50,849 and the average $66,116, based on a 10.6% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. Census data from 2021 ranks Gundagai's household, family, and personal incomes modestly, between the 24th and 31st percentiles. The predominant income cohort in Gundagai is 30.8% (1,166 people) earning $1,500 - 2,999, similar to the broader area at 29.9%. Housing costs allow for retention of 89.9%, but disposable income ranks below average at the 32nd percentile.

Gundagai is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Gundagai, as per the latest Census evaluation, 92.9% of dwellings were houses while 7.1% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 88.4% houses and 11.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gundagai stood at 48.5%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 29.5% and rented dwellings making up 22.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,291, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Gundagai was recorded at $220, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $280. Nationally, Gundagai's median mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Gundagai has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.8% of all households, including 27.9% couples with children, 29.8% couples without children, and 8.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.2%, with lone person households at 29.7% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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

Gundagai faces educational challenges, its university qualification rate of 14.5% being substantially lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 37.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (28.6%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.6% in primary education, 9.9% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education. A network of six schools operates within Gundagai, educating approximately 475 students. The area demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 957) with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with five primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Gundagai has 171 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are spread across 25 routes that collectively provide 211 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good with residents typically located 322 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 30 trips per day, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop.

Health performance in Gundagai is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Gundagai faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 50% (~1874 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.9%) and asthma (8.2%). Sixty-six point seven percent declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.5% across Rest of NSW. Twenty-four point six percent of residents are aged 65 and over (931 people), higher than the 19.6% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Gundagai, as per the census conducted on June 2016, had a cultural diversity index of below average. Its population was predominantly Australian citizens, with 85.6% holding citizenship, and 92.4% having been born in Australia. English was spoken at home by 94.9% of residents.

Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 74.6%, compared to the regional average of 64.3%. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (35.0%), English (34.4%), and Irish (10.2%). Notably, Gundagai had higher proportions of Australian Aboriginal (3.1% vs regional 4.5%), Chinese (2.0% vs regional 0.9%), and Lebanese (0.2% vs regional 0.1%) residents than the rest of NSW.

Gundagai hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Gundagai's median age is 44 years, comparable to Rest of NSW's 43 and higher than the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Gundagai has a larger proportion of residents aged 65-74 (13.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.9%). Between the 2016 Census and 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 increased from 7.3% to 8.5%, while the proportion of those aged 55 to 64 decreased from 14.4% to 12.8%. By 2041, Gundagai's age composition is projected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 75 to 84 is expected to grow by 11%, reaching 356 from 321. This growth will be driven entirely by the demographic aging of its population, with residents aged 65 and older accounting for all anticipated growth. Conversely, both age groups 45-54 and 25-34 are projected to decrease in number.