Gunnedah

Population growth drivers in Gunnedah are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Gunnedah's population as of May 2026 is approximately 10,158. This figure represents an increase of 413 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,745. The change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for June 2025 (10,144) and validated new addresses since the Census date (93). This results in a population density ratio of 112 persons per square kilometer. Gunnedah's growth rate of 4.2% since the 2021 census exceeds the SA4 region's growth rate of 3.6%. Natural growth contributed approximately 56.2% 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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project an above median growth for non-metropolitan areas nationally, with Gunnedah expected to expand by 1,267 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 12.3%.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Gunnedah according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Gunnedah has seen approximately 42 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 211 homes were approved, with an additional 22 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, about 1.5 new residents were associated with each dwelling constructed over these five years. However, this figure has accelerated to 5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating increasing demand and tightening supply.

The average construction value of development projects is around $284,000, aligning with regional patterns. This year has seen approximately $22.7 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the rest of NSW, Gunnedah's construction activity per person is comparable, maintaining market balance consistent with the broader area.

Recent construction comprises 73% detached houses and 27% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is around 596 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. Future projections estimate Gunnedah will add approximately 1,253 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Building activity appears to be keeping pace with these growth projections, though increased competition among buyers may arise as the population grows.

Gunnedah has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified 14 projects that could impact the area's performance. Key projects include Eucalypt Lifestyle and Retail Precinct, Whitehaven Coal Mornington Estate Development, Cohens Bridge Rehabilitation, and Gunnedah Sports Precinct Master Plans. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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.

AreaSearch analysis places Gunnedah well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Gunnedah has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are strongly represented, with an unemployment rate of 2.2%. As of December 2025, 5467 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.7% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is high at 71.4%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census data, only 7.5% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in mining, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Mining employment is particularly specialized, with a share 6.8 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 11.5%, compared to the regional average of 16.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.8% in Gunnedah, with employment decreasing by 1.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced a 1.2% employment decline and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gunnedah's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The median income among taxpayers in Gunnedah SA2 was $57,119 in the financial year 2023. The average income stood at $70,764 during this period. These figures compare to Regional NSW's median and average incomes of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated median income for Gunnedah SA2 as of March 2026 is approximately $63,014, with the average being around $78,067. According to the 2021 Census figures, household incomes in Gunnedah rank between the 37th and 46th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket comprises 30.9% of residents earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (3,138 residents), which aligns with the broader area where this cohort represents 29.9%. After housing costs, 85.8% of income remains for other expenses.

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

Gunnedah's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.6% houses and 12.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gunnedah was at 32.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.2% and rented dwellings at 33.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Gunnedah was $300, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Gunnedah's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Gunnedah features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 66.5% of all households, including 27.3% couples with children, 25.5% couples without children, and 12.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 33.5%, with lone person households at 30.3% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, aligning with the Regional NSW average.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 14.7%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (33.9%). Educational participation is high at 31.8%, comprising primary education (13.6%), secondary education (8.0%), and tertiary education (2.6%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.6% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Gunnedah has 227 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are covered by 38 individual routes, providing 775 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 197 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Gunnedah's primarily residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 91%, with an average vehicle ownership of 1.4 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 7.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 110 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Health performance in Gunnedah is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Gunnedah faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is relatively high at approximately 54% of the total population (around 5,495 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW. The most common conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 9.1% and 9.1% of residents respectively. Around 65.3% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions than average. As of 2021, 18.8% of Gunnedah's population is aged 65 and over (around 1,912 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings.

The latest Census data sees Gunnedah placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Gunnedah had low cultural diversity, with 88.8% citizens, 93.7% born in Australia, and 95.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 62.1%, compared to Regional NSW's 55.9%. Top three ancestries were Australian (33.9%), English (28.1%), and Australian Aboriginal (12.1%), higher than regional averages of 47.0%, 25.9%, and 4.6% respectively.

Notably, Irish ancestry was overrepresented at 8.0% in Gunnedah compared to 8.8% regionally, South Australian at 0.3% vs 0.2%, and Filipino at 0.8% vs 0.6%.

Gunnedah's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Gunnedah is 36 years, which is significantly below Regional NSW's average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age group of 25-34 years shows strong representation at 14.8% compared to Regional NSW, while the 65-74 cohort is less prevalent at 9.0%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 11.6% to 12.7% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 11.0% to 9.8%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Gunnedah. Leading this shift, the 45 to 54 age group is projected to grow by 32%, reaching 1,355 people from 1,027. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort is projected to decline by 38 people.