Mudgee

Population growth drivers in Mudgee are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Mudgee's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 13,012 people. This figure represents an increase of 449 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 12,563. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: Mudgee's population was 12,965 in June 2025, with an additional 646 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 197 persons per square kilometer. Mudgee's 3.6% growth rate from 2021 to May 2026 exceeded that of its SA3 area (1.8%) and SA4 region, indicating it is a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 42.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, though natural growth and interstate migration were also positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Demographic trends project an above median population growth for locations outside capital cities, with Mudgee expected to expand by 2,285 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 17.2% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Mudgee among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Mudgee saw 122 new homes approved annually on average over the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, with a total of 613 approvals. In FY26 up to June, 65 homes have been approved. On average, 0.5 people moved to the area per dwelling built each year between FY21 and FY25, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average construction cost value of new dwellings was $380,000. This financial year, Mudgee recorded $7.1 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting its primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Mudgee shows 112% higher development activity per person. New development consists of 72% detached dwellings and 28% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes.

With around 80 people moving in for each approval, Mudgee reflects a low-density area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Mudgee is expected to grow by 2,238 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Mudgee has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 33rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects that could impact this area. Notable ones are Kandos to Gulgong Rail Line Reinstatement, Logan Estate, Short Street Residential Development, and Mudgee Spring Lifestyle Estate. The following list details 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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Mudgee ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Mudgee has a skilled workforce with strong manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate in December 2025 was 2.9%. There were 6,818 residents employed at this time, with an unemployment rate of 1.0% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation was higher at 69.4%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses in December 2025, 7.8% of residents worked from home. The dominant employment sectors were mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Mining employed 7.4 times more residents than the regional level, while health care & social assistance employed 12.2%, below Regional NSW's 16.9%.

Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.4% alongside a 3.5% employment decline, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 1.1 percentage points. In comparison, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force contract by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. 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 Mudgee's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.3% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows median income in Mudgee SA2 is $53,432, with average income at $70,050. This compares to Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates for Mudgee SA2 would be approximately $58,946 (median) and $77,279 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Mudgee rank modestly, between the 46th and 49th percentiles. The data indicates that 33.1% of individuals in Mudgee earn between $1,500 - $2,999 (4,306 individuals), similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% fall within this range. After housing costs, 85.1% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Mudgee's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.7% houses and 14.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mudgee stood at 31.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.5% and rented ones at 34.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Regional NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $363, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Mudgee's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 69.1% of all households, including 28.6% couples with children, 27.9% couples without children, and 11.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 30.9%, with lone person households at 27.6% and group households comprising 3.4%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.4%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (33.2%). Educational participation is high, with 28.9% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.5% in primary, 7.5% in secondary, and 2.3% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.5% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 2.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis indicates 236 active transport stops operating within Mudgee, including a mix of train and bus services. These stops are serviced by 39 individual routes, collectively providing 410 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 141 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 93%, with 5% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 7.8% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 58 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Health performance in Mudgee is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Mudgee faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 54%, impacting around 7,013 people, which leads that of the average SA2 area but is lower than the 51.9% across Regional NSW. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 9.0 and 8.7% of residents respectively. However, 66.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 18.6% of residents aged 65 and over (2,422 people), which is lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW.

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

Mudgee's population, as per the 2016 Census, showed low cultural diversity with 90.7% citizens, 91.2% born in Australia, and 95.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 58.2%, compared to 55.9% regionally. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.2%), English (32.2%), and Irish (9.4%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal, Maltese, and German groups had similar representation in Mudgee as in Regional NSW, at 5.0%, 0.4%, and 3.1% respectively.

Mudgee's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Mudgee is 36 years, significantly below Regional NSW's average of 43 and somewhat younger than Australia's 38 years. The 25-34 age group represents 13.9%, higher than Regional NSW, while the 65-74 cohort stands at 9.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 35 to 44 age group grew from 12.4% to 14.5%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 11.7% to 9.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Mudgee. The 35 to 44 age group is projected to grow by 26%, adding 494 people, reaching 2,379 from 1,884. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort shows minimal growth of just 2%, adding 26 people.