Mount Hutton - Windale

Mount Hutton - Windale has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Mount Hutton - Windale stands at approximately 9,707 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 203 residents (2.1%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 9,504 inhabitants. This population shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 9,686 from June 2025 alongside 81 validated new addresses identified since the census. The local density reaches 1,548 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio observed across other assessed national areas. The post-census growth of 2.1% trails the broader SA3 region (3.2%) by 1.1 percentage points, indicating competitive local demand. The primary driver of this growth was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 56.5% of the total population gains in recent times.

AreaSearch utilizes the 2024 projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, which use 2022 as their baseline year. For any SA2 localities omitted from this database, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 base year are applied instead. Age-specific growth trends from these datasets are projected forward for the period between 2032 and 2041. Based on recent annual ERP statistics, future population growth is anticipated to run slightly below the median rate of non-metropolitan regions in Australia, with an estimated addition of 873 residents by 2041, representing a total expansion of 8.8% over the 16 years.

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

Mount Hutton - Windale has recorded approximately 35 residential development approvals annually, translating to 178 dwelling approvals over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 32 during FY-26 so far. An average of 1.1 new residents per home arrived over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), pointing to a well-balanced alignment of supply and demand that underpins market stability. Newly approved homes carry an average construction value of $227,000, which sits below regional averages and offers more affordable options. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $3.9 million have been logged this financial year, reinforcing the residential focus of the neighborhood.

Per capita building approvals in Mount Hutton - Windale are 10.0% lower than in the Rest of NSW, positioning the area in the 33rd percentile nationally. This points to constrained new options for buyers while bolstering demand for the existing housing stock. Recent building activity is composed of 36.0% detached houses and 64.0% medium and high-density developments. This skew toward denser options provides more accessible price points for first-home buyers, investors, and downsizers. This pattern represents a clear departure from the current housing profile, which consists of 76.0% detached houses, pointing to a scarcity of vacant land and reflecting a shift toward diverse housing preferences. The ratio of 524 people per approved dwelling highlights the mature state of the local market.

Projections indicate that Mount Hutton - Windale will gain 852 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. Current rates of residential construction are expected to meet these housing needs adequately, preserving favorable buyer conditions and potentially supporting growth that outpaces these baseline estimates.

Mount Hutton - Windale has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in infrastructure, major projects, and planning play a critical role in local performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects with the potential to affect the area, with key initiatives including The Summit, Ryhope Street Subdivision, Windale Area Plan, and the Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Expansion detailed in the list below.

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

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Employment conditions in Mount Hutton - Windale face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

The labor force of Mount Hutton - Windale is balanced between blue-collar and white-collar roles, with a significant presence of workers in essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 10.4%. As of March 2026, there are 3,947 employed residents. The local unemployment rate sits 6.3% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation is relatively weak at 55.0% compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census data indicates that a moderate 19.1% of local workers operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

The primary employment industries for local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The concentration of health care & social assistance workers is particularly high, running at 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agricultural, forestry, and fishing enterprises employ only 0.3% of the local workforce, compared to 5.3% across Regional NSW. The comparison between the local working population and resident population highlights the residential nature of the suburb and suggests limited local employment options.

An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that over the 12-month period, the local labor force contracted by 0.4% while total employment fell by 4.8%, leading to a 4.2 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% decline in the labor force, and a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 offer additional context on future demand in Mount Hutton - Windale. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Weighting these projections against the employment profile of Mount Hutton - Windale suggests local jobs could grow by 6.8% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, assuming local trends follow national industry paths without adjusting for local population shifts.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Based on the compilation of postcode-level ATO statistics released for financial year 2023, the median taxpayer income in the Mount Hutton - Windale SA2 was $52,544, with the average income recorded at $63,357. These figures sit below the national average and compare to regional benchmarks of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average) across Regional NSW. Adjusting these numbers for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $57,967 for the median and $69,895 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that family, household, and individual incomes in the area fall between the 13th and 14th percentiles nationally. Income distribution data shows 28.2% of the population (2,737 people) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, very close to the Regional NSW rate of 29.9%. Affordability challenges are significant, as residents retain just 80.6% of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the 12th percentile.

Mount Hutton - Windale is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Mount Hutton - Windale consisted of 76.0% standalone houses and 24.1% other dwellings, including apartments and semi-detached options, compared to Regional NSW where houses made up 82.6% and other dwellings accounted for 17.4%. Home ownership rates in Mount Hutton - Windale trailed the regional average, standing at 25.3%, with 29.9% of homes carrying a mortgage and 44.8% being rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,772 was higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, whereas the median weekly rent of $255 was lower than the regional figure of $330. Nationally, mortgage costs in the area are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels are well below the national median of $375.

Mount Hutton - Windale features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 66.0%, which includes couples with children at 22.5%, couples without children at 23.2%, and single-parent households at 18.7%. Single-person households account for 30.8% of the area and group households represent 3.1%, making up the remaining 34.0% of non-family households. The median size of local households is 2.4 people, matching the Regional NSW average.

Mount Hutton - Windale faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

Educational attainment levels present a challenge in the area, with only 14.2% of the population holding a university qualification, which is lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Among these degrees, bachelor qualifications are the most common at 10.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 39.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 30.3%.

A significant proportion of the population is engaged in learning, with 28.6% of residents enrolled in formal studies. This enrollment includes 10.6% in primary schools, 7.6% in high schools, and 3.2% in tertiary education programs.

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

Local public transit consists of 98 active bus stops operating in Mount Hutton - Windale. These stops are served by 38 distinct routes, which provide 865 passenger trips per week. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 157 meters from their nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and 96% of commuters travel by car. Dwellings have an average of 1.2 vehicles, which sits below the regional average. Census data from 2021 showed that 19.1% of residents worked from home, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.

Transit services average 123 daily trips across all active routes, which averages out to approximately 8 passenger trips weekly at each individual stop.

Health performance in Mount Hutton - Windale is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Significant health issues are apparent within Mount Hutton - Windale, as shown by mortality and chronic illness rates that affect both younger and older cohorts, combined with a relatively low private health insurance rate of approximately 50% of the population (~4,902 people). This compares to a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most prevalent health issues locally, affecting 12.6% and 10.9% of the population, respectively, while 55.0% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Chronic illness rates are elevated among the working-age cohort. Residents aged 65 and older make up 21.0% of the population (2,034 people), which is lower than the Regional NSW figure of 23.4%. Senior health outcomes align closely with the national rankings observed for the broader population.

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

Mount Hutton - Windale shows lower levels of cultural diversity relative to broader averages, with citizens making up 90.8% of the population, 90.6% of residents born in Australia, and 94.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 51.9% of the local population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

Regarding parental ancestry, the three most common backgrounds in Mount Hutton - Windale are Australian at 33.0%, English at 31.1%, and Scottish at 7.7%. Specific ethnic cohorts show notable differences, with Australian Aboriginals representing 6.5% of the population (compared to 4.6% across the region), Welsh at 0.7% (compared to 0.5% regionally), and Macedonians at 0.3% (compared to 0.4% regionally).

Mount Hutton - Windale's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Mount Hutton - Windale is 40 years, which is slightly younger than the Regional NSW average of 43 but just above the national median of 38. The 25 - 34 age bracket is highly represented locally at 15.3% compared to the regional average, while the 65 - 74 age group is under-represented at 10.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 grew from 13.1% to 15.3%, and the 35 to 44 cohort rose from 10.4% to 11.6%. Over the same period, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.1% to 11.8%, while the 45 to 54 group dropped from 12.4% to 11.2%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest the 25 to 34 age group will grow by 245 people (17%) from 1,483 to 1,729, while the 5 to 14 and 55 to 64 cohorts are expected to contract.