Moree Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Moree Surrounds' population is around 5330 as of November 2025. This reflects a decrease of 26 people (0.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5356 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5263 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 20 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 0.30 persons per square kilometer. While Moree Surrounds experienced a 0.5% decline since census, the SA3 area achieved 0.3% growth, highlighting divergent population trends. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 90.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Examining future population trends, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the area expected to increase by 519 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 8.5% in total over the 17 years.

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

Moree Surrounds had minimal residential development activity with 2 dwelling approvals annually over the five-year period from 2016 to 2020, totalling 13 dwellings. This low level of development reflects its rural nature, where housing needs drive development rather than broad market demand. The small number of approvals means individual projects can significantly impact annual growth statistics.

Compared to Rest of NSW and national patterns, Moree Surrounds has much lower development activity. New building activity was 50% standalone homes and 50% townhouses or apartments, indicating a shift from the current housing mix of 93% houses. This change is due to reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. As of 2021, there were an estimated 3301 people per dwelling approval in Moree Surrounds. Population forecasts indicate the area will gain 452 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Population forecasts indicate Moree Surrounds will gain 452 residents through to 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Moree Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure can significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that may affect the region. Notable initiatives include Moree Secondary College Campus Consolidation, Moree Hospital Redevelopment, Inland Rail - Narrabri to North Star - Phase Two, and Moree Water Treatment Plant Upgrades. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

Employment performance in Moree Surrounds ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Moree Surrounds has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation and an unemployment rate of 1.7% as of June 2025. In the past year, employment grew by an estimated 4.4%.

The area's unemployment rate is 1.9% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%, but workforce participation is slightly below standard at 53.7%. Key industries of employment among residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Moree Surrounds shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 9.5 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 6.8% compared to Rest of NSW's 16.9%.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 4.4%, labour force grew by 3.7%, and unemployment fell by 0.7 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.1%, labour force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Moree Surrounds' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.4% over five years and 10.2% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. Moree Surrounds' median income among taxpayers was $49,134, with an average of $59,163. This is below the national average. The median income in Rest of NSW was $49,459, and the average was $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, current estimates for Moree Surrounds would be approximately $55,330 (median) and $66,623 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly in Moree Surrounds, between the 43rd and 53rd percentiles. The earnings profile reveals that 32.2% of the population, or 1,716 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to patterns seen in metropolitan regions where 29.9% occupy this range. After housing costs, residents retain 93.5% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

In Moree Surrounds, as per the latest Census evaluation, 93.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 7.0% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 87.8% houses and 12.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moree Surrounds stood at 42.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.9% and rented ones at 31.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $867, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent figure in Moree Surrounds was $175, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $220. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $867 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 71.7% of all households, composed of 31.1% couples with children, 28.4% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 28.3%, with lone person households at 26.0% and group households comprising 2.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Moree Surrounds fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 19.6%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.5%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (29.4%). Educational participation is high at 42.6%, with 18.8% in primary education, 11.1% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education.

Twelve schools serve 351 students in the area, which has varied educational conditions across Moree Surrounds. The educational mix includes ten primary and two K-12 schools. Local school capacity is limited at 6.6 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.6, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Analysis of public transport in Moree Surrounds indicates 254 active transport stops operating within the area. These consist of a mix of train and bus services. The stops are serviced by 27 individual routes which collectively provide 281 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 2841 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 40 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 1 weekly trip per individual stop.

The level of general health in Moree Surrounds is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Moree Surrounds shows above-average health outcomes for both younger and older age groups, with low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 49% (~2,617 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (8.5%) and arthritis (6.8%). A higher proportion, 72.9%, report being free from medical ailments compared to 66.7% in Rest of NSW. The area has 15.7% (836 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the 18.8% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, exceeding those of the general population in health metrics.

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

Moree Surrounds had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 72.9% of its population being Australian citizens, 94.6% born in Australia, and 96.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Moree Surrounds, accounting for 68.2% of the population, which is similar to the 68.1% regional average across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (29.9%), English (29.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (12.3%).

Notably, Irish ancestry was overrepresented at 9.9%, compared to 8.1% regionally, Scottish at 8.5% versus 6.8%, and German at 3.9% against 2.8%.

Moree Surrounds's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Moree Surrounds is 39 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 but essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Moree Surrounds has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (15.1%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (4.8%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 25 to 34 grew from 12.5% to 15.1%, while the 45 to 54 age group declined from 14.1% to 11.6% and the 35 to 44 age group decreased from 11.6% to 10.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Moree Surrounds' age structure. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 32%, reaching 1,064 people from the current 805. Conversely, the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 age groups are expected to experience population declines.