Moree

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

According to evaluation by AreaSearch, the population of Moree stands at approximately 8,027 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 182 residents (2.3%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 7,845 individuals. This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 8,020 alongside 24 validated new addresses identified after the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 115 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and capacity for future expansion. The growth rate of 2.3% since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 region (0.5%), positioning the locality as a regional leader in population gains. Natural increase was the main driver of growth, accounting for roughly 72.9% of the overall population rise in recent times.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 areas, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. In cases where this data is unavailable, SA2 level projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 using a 2021 baseline are applied. Demographic age bracket growth rates derived from these sources are extended to cover the years 2032 to 2041. Projections indicate a substantial population expansion in the upper quartile of regional locations across the country, with this specific area forecast to grow by 2,392 individuals by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP figures, representing a 16-year increase of 29.7%.

The level of residential development activity in Moree is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Residential development approvals in Moree average approximately 4 dwellings annually, totaling 23 approved homes over the preceding 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 13 during FY-26 so far. Because the population decreased over the prior period, the incoming supply has likely matched local demand, providing buyers with adequate options, with new homes constructed at an average cost of $397,000—a figure exceeding regional averages that suggests a focus on quality. Furthermore, commercial approvals valued at $10.1 million have been logged in the current financial year, demonstrating ongoing commercial investment.

Relative to the Rest of NSW, Moree experiences approximately three-quarters of the per capita construction volume, placing it in the 11th percentile of all analyzed locations nationwide, which restricts choice for buyers and reinforces demand for existing properties, even though building rates have risen recently. This level of activity also falls below the national average, suggesting a mature market and potential developmental barriers. All recent building permits have been for detached houses, preserving the established low density aesthetic and emphasizing spacious family residences. This construction pattern is more heavily weighted toward detached housing than the existing mix (83.0% at the Census), highlighting persistent demand for single-family homes despite density trends. A ratio of 1500 people per dwelling approval highlights the quiet pace of local development.

Looking forward, Moree is projected to add 2,385 residents by 2041 based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. If development remains at current levels, the volume of housing may not keep pace with population expansion, which could intensify competition among buyers and support upward pressure on prices.

Moree has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and development initiatives represent key influences on regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 9 projects expected to affect the local area. Significant undertakings include the Moree Hospital Redevelopment, the Moree Water Treatment Plant Upgrades, the Moree Special Activation Precinct, and Phase Two of the Narrative to North Star section of the Inland Rail, with details on the most significant projects listed below.

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Employment drivers in Moree are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

The local workforce is characterized by strong representation in essential service industries, with an unemployment rate of 5.7%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,359, while the unemployment rate was 1.6% higher than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%, and participation in the labour force was exceptionally high (72.0% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW). Census data indicates that only 6.5% of working residents performed their duties from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 restriction periods.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and education & training. The region exhibits a distinct concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where the employment proportion is 2.1 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is under-represented, employing 11.9% of the local workforce compared to 16.9% across Regional NSW. Although there are employment opportunities within the boundary, the relationship between the Census working population and local population suggests a significant number of residents travel outside the area for employment.

AreaSearch evaluated SALM and ABS figures to show that between the 12 months ending March 2026, the labour force shrank by 2.1% while employment fell by 4.6%, leading to a 2.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. Meanwhile, employment in Regional NSW dropped by 0.9% and the labour force by 0.4%, resulting in a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia released national employment forecasts from May-25 to help anticipate future demand in Moree. Those forecasts span five and ten year horizons and were aligned with Moree's current employment structure to project future growth. The national outlook predicts a 6.6% rise in employment over five years and a 13.7% rise over ten years, though sectoral growth varies considerably. When these industry projections are applied to Moree's job composition, local employment is expected to grow by 5.9% over five years and 12.4% over ten years (this reflects a basic weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and excludes local population projections).

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

Based on AreaSearch's compilation of postcode-level ATO statistics from the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Moree SA2 recorded a median income of $57,223 and an average income of $71,306. These figures exceed the national average and compare to regional NSW metrics of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average). Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated values of approximately $63,128 for median income and $78,665 for average income in March 2026. The 2021 Census reports that individual income ranks at the 54th percentile ($828 per week), while household income ranks at the 35th percentile. The dominant income bracket consists of 32.6% of residents (2,616 individuals) earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which aligns with the wider regional trend of 29.9% in this bracket. Housing costs are generally manageable, with residents keeping 88.1% of their income, though disposable income is below average at the 40th percentile.

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

The distribution of residential structures in Moree at the time of the latest Census consisted of 82.8% detached houses and 17.2% alternative dwellings (semi-detached properties, units, and other structures), compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership in Moree lagged the Regional NSW average, standing at 31.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (27.5%) or renting (40.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,336 was significantly below the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $230 was lower than the regional figure of $330. Nationally, mortgage payments in Moree are well below the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels are also considerably lower than the national benchmark of $375.

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

Families represent the majority of households at 65.8%, consisting of couples with children at 23.5%, couples without children at 26.7%, and single parent households at 13.8%. The remaining 34.2% are non-family households, which include lone person households at 30.8% and group households at 3.4%. The median household size of 2.4 residents aligns exactly with the Regional NSW average.

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

The region shows lower levels of educational attainment, with university completion rates at 19.5%, which is notably below the NSW state average of 32.2%. This discrepancy highlights both a developmental hurdle and an opportunity for focused education programs. Among residents, bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 39.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (29.5%).

Enrolment rates are elevated, with 36.2% of the population participating in formal education. Within this student group, 15.6% are in primary school, 9.0% are in secondary school, and 3.0% are enrolled in tertiary programs.

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

Public transit infrastructure in Moree consists of 97 stops, including both bus and rail services. These stops are utilized by 23 routes, which provide a total of 269 weekly passenger services. Accessibility is favorable, with residents living an average of 296 meters from their nearest transit stop. The majority of working residents commute, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel at 93%, while 5% walk. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.3, which is below the regional average. A low proportion of residents (6.5%) worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

Transit services average 38 trips per day across all routes, which represents approximately 2 weekly services per individual stop.

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

Health indicators point to notable difficulties in Moree, as shown by AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality statistics and the occurrence of chronic conditions, with standard medical issues appearing across both younger and older cohorts, alongside a relatively high rate of private health insurance coverage at approximately 54% of the population (~4,342 people). This compares to a coverage rate of 51.9% across Regional NSW.

Asthma and arthritis were identified as the most prevalent health conditions, affecting 9.3% and 7.7% of residents, respectively, while 67.1% of the population reported no chronic conditions compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Residents of working age experience higher than average rates of chronic health issues. The demographic aged 65 and over accounts for 18.7% of the population (1,501 people), which is lower than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%, though national health rankings for this group are higher than the general population.

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

Moree exhibits lower cultural diversity metrics than average, with citizens making up 78.8% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 92.0%, and monolingual English speakers making up 94.6% of households. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 70.1% of Moree residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

Regarding ancestral backgrounds, the three most common ancestries in Moree are Australian at 31.6%, English at 25.7%, and Australian Aboriginal at 17.8%, with the Aboriginal proportion being significantly higher than the regional average of 4.6%. Differences also exist in other heritage groups: Lebanese representation stands at 0.4% in Moree (compared to 0.2% regionally), Serbian at 0.3% (compared to 0.2%), and Samoan at 0.1% (compared to 0.1%).

Moree's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

With a median age of 38, Moree is younger than Regional NSW (43) but aligns with the national median of 38. The 25 - 34 age bracket is highly represented at 15.4% compared to Regional NSW, while the 65 - 74 bracket is less common at 10.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 cohort has increased from 13.9% to 15.4% of the population, and the 0 to 4 group rose from 6.7% to 7.8%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group decreased from 13.7% to 12.1%, and the 55 to 64 group fell from 12.9% to 11.9%. Projections indicate Moree's age structure will shift by 2041. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to rise by 43% (529 people), growing from 1,237 to 1,767. The 55 to 64 cohort is expected to experience a smaller increase of 9%, adding 84 residents.