Lithgow Surrounds

An assessment of population growth drivers in Lithgow Surrounds reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Lithgow Surrounds' population, as of November 2025, is approximately 8,743. This figure represents an increase of 295 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 8,448. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 8,511 in June 2024 and an additional 199 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3.5 persons per square kilometer. Lithgow Surrounds' population growth rate of 3.5% between the 2021 Census and June 2024 exceeded both the SA4 region (2.9%) and the SA3 area, indicating significant growth in the region. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 69.6% of overall population gains during this period.

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 utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, 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. Based on projected demographic shifts and latest annual ERP population numbers, Lithgow Surrounds is expected to increase by 1,084 persons by the year 2041. This reflects an overall increase of approximately 9.7% in total over the 17-year period.

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

Over the past 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, Lithgow Surrounds has seen approximately 38 new homes approved annually, totalling 193 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded so far. The average population increase per dwelling built over this period is around 0.2 people per year. This suggests that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice and supporting potential population growth while new properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $350,000 each.

In FY-26, there have been $5.4 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited focus on commercial development. Compared to the rest of NSW, Lithgow Surrounds has similar levels of development per capita, maintaining market equilibrium with surrounding areas. New developments consist predominantly of standalone homes (89.0%) and a smaller proportion of townhouses or apartments (11.0%), preserving the area's low-density nature that attracts space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population density based on dwelling approvals is around 366 people per dwelling. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Lithgow Surrounds is projected to grow by 852 residents through to 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Lithgow Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Thirty projects identified by AreaSearch may impact the area significantly, with notable ones including Wallerawang 9 Battery Energy Storage System, Great Western Battery, Former Wallerawang Power Station Redevelopment, and Sidey Place, Wallerawang. Below is a list detailing those 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.

The employment landscape in Lithgow Surrounds presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 2.8%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Lithgow Surrounds has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, strongly represented by manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.8%.

As of September 2025, 4,439 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.1% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%, with workforce participation at 54.4% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and construction. Notably, mining employs 3.1 times the regional average, while health care & social assistance employs 11.8%, below Rest of NSW's 16.9%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as seen in Census data comparing working population to resident population.

Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, labour force decreased by 3.4% and employment declined by 4.4%, increasing unemployment by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced milder declines in employment (0.5%) and labour force (0.1%), with a smaller rise in unemployment (0.4%). State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, slightly better than the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lithgow Surrounds' employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.4% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The median income among taxpayers in Lithgow Surrounds SA2 was $50,323 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $61,730 during the same period. These figures are lower than those of Rest of NSW, which had a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $56,669 (median) and $69,514 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Lithgow Surrounds rank modestly, between the 22nd and 28th percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 29.3% of the community (2,561 individuals), which is consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 29.9% in the same category. Housing costs are manageable with 87.8% retained, but disposable income sits below average at the 33rd percentile.

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

Lithgow Surrounds' dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 97.1% houses and 2.9% other dwellings. Non-Metro NSW had 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lithgow Surrounds was 47.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.7% and rented ones at 15.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,600. Median weekly rent in Lithgow Surrounds was $270, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. Nationally, Lithgow Surrounds' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were below the national figure of $375.

Lithgow Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 70.8% of all households, including 27.1% couples with children, 32.4% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.2%, with lone person households at 27.4% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.7%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 44.6% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 34.5%. Educational participation is high, with 27.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.5% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Lithgow Surrounds shows that there are currently 263 operational transport stops. These include a combination of train and bus services. The area is served by 57 different routes which together facilitate approximately 1,420 passenger trips each week.

Residents' access to public transport is considered limited, with an average distance of 1297 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are around 202 trips daily across all routes, translating to roughly five weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Lithgow Surrounds faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover stands at approximately 51%, covering roughly 4,423 people. The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (affecting 11.5% of residents) and mental health concerns (8.1%). A total of 62.9% claim to be free from medical ailments, similar to the 62.9% figure for Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 25.0% (2,183 people), compared to 23.1% in Rest of NSW.

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

Lithgow Surrounds, surveyed in June 2016, had a culturally diverse population that was below average. It comprised 89.3% citizens, with 89.7% born in Australia, and 96.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 57.6%, compared to 59.9% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.3%), Australian (30.6%), and Irish (9.3%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher than regional averages, at 4.7% versus 4.9%. Scottish representation was also higher, at 8.5% compared to 7.9%, while Welsh representation was slightly higher at 0.6% versus 0.5%.

Lithgow Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Lithgow Surrounds has a median age of 47 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, making up 16.4% of the population, while those aged 25-34 are comparatively smaller at 9.2%. This concentration of those aged 55-64 is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 6.7% to 8.3%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 12.3% to 10.8% and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.4% to 12.3%. By 2041, Lithgow Surrounds is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 38%, reaching 1,006 people from 726. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 58% of the projected population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for those aged 15-24 and 5-14.