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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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Sales Activity
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Population
Mudgee Surrounds - East is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends
Mudgee Surrounds - East's population was around 3,389 as of May 2026, a decrease of 9 people from the 2021 Census figure of 3,398. This decline is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 3,369 in June 2025 and 126 new addresses validated since the Census date. The population density was 1.2 persons per square kilometer as of May 2026. While Mudgee Surrounds - East experienced a 0.3% decline between the 2021 Census and May 2026, the larger SA3 area saw a 1.8% growth during this period. Interstate migration contributed approximately 72.9% of overall population gains in recent periods for Mudgee Surrounds - East. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by ABS data.
These projections indicate a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with an expected expansion of 278 persons to 2041, reflecting a 7.6% total increase over the 16-year period based on latest annual ERP population numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Mudgee Surrounds - East is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
Mudgee Surrounds - East has seen approximately five new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 29 homes. As of FY-26, 8 approvals have been recorded. The population has declined in recent years, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $405,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction.
There have been $1.1 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of NSW, Mudgee Surrounds - East shows substantially reduced construction, with 63.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. The area's activity is also below average nationally, reflecting its maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.
There are estimated to be 549 people per dwelling approval in the area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Mudgee Surrounds - East is expected to grow by 258 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mudgee Surrounds - East
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Mudgee Surrounds - East has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally
Eleven projects identified by AreaSearch are anticipated to impact the area significantly, with key projects including the Bowdens Silver Project, Crudine Ridge Wind Farm, Bylong Coal Mine Project, and Kandos to Gulgon Rail Line Reinstatement. The following list details those expected to have the greatest relevance.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Bylong Coal Mine Project
A major open-cut and underground thermal coal mine proposal aiming to extract 6.5 million tonnes per annum over 25 years. Despite the NSW Independent Planning Commission's refusal in 2019 and the exhaustion of legal appeals in the High Court by 2022, the project remains active in a technical capacity. In late 2024 and early 2025, KEPCO successfully renewed exploration licenses EL 7043 and EL 7046 until 2027, maintaining its footprint in the Bylong Valley while community groups continue to advocate for the permanent cessation of mining activities and the restoration of agricultural land.
Moolarben Coal Complex OC3 Extension Project
Proposed extension of open cut coal mining operations at the Moolarben Coal Complex. The project involves extending the approved OC3 pit and developing four new open cut pits to the south and east to extract approximately 40 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal over 10 years. As of May 2026, the project remains under assessment following a referral to the Independent Planning Commission. Yancoal has been working to address recommendations from the Independent Expert Advisory Panel for Mining, particularly regarding groundwater monitoring and the protection of habitat for the Regent Honeyeater and microbat species. The project aims to integrate with existing infrastructure to maintain steady production and support local employment in the Mid-Western region.
Wollar Solar Farm
Wollar Solar Farm is a 280MW solar project with around 660,000 solar panels designed to track the sun's movement through the day. The project generates clean energy for approximately 108,000 homes and achieved 100% generation in July 2025. The facility comprises tracking solar panels across 450 hectares and connects to the TransGrid transmission network.
Ulan Coal Mine Complex Continued Operations (Modification 6)
Modification 6 (MOD 6) is a proposed extension of underground longwall mining operations at Glencore's Ulan Coal Complex, located about 45 kilometres north-east of Mudgee in central-west NSW. The modification would extend the mine's life by approximately two years, from 2033 to August 2035, allowing the extraction of an additional 18.8 million tonnes of run-of-mine thermal coal (about 16.3 million tonnes of product coal). The works include extending six existing longwall panels (LWW9 to LWW11 and LW10 to LW12), widening one panel by around 30 metres, and supporting surface infrastructure such as a new ventilation shaft, two dewatering bores, and a service borehole infrastructure corridor. Existing extraction limits of up to 20 million tonnes per year remain unchanged. The proposal was approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in May 2025 and received federal EPBC Act approval in late August 2025. However, in mid-November 2025 the NSW Land and Environment Court set aside the state approval by consent orders following the Court of Appeal's Denman v MACH Energy ruling, which made local climate impacts a mandatory consideration for greenhouse-gas-emitting projects. Glencore has stated it will amend the application to address the assessment gap and seek re-approval. The project, when operating, supports about 730 employees and contractors and contributed around 846 million dollars to the Australian economy in 2024.
Kandos to Gulgong Rail Line Reinstatement
Feasibility study and strategic assessment for reinstating the 93km non-operational Gwabegar Line between Kandos and Gulgong. The project aims to reconnect the Lithgow line to the Sandy Hollow-Gulgong line to support regional freight, specifically coal haulage to Mount Piper Power Station. Following a positive feasibility result in 2020, the project has been integrated into the NSW Government's Regional Network East/West Uplift (RNEW) Program. While freight remains the primary driver, local councils are simultaneously exploring a dual-purpose or alternative 'rail trail' for tourism between Rylstone and Gulgong, with community consultation active as of late 2025.
Mudgee Hospital Redevelopment
State-of-the-art $70.7 million hospital redevelopment completed in 2020, featuring emergency department, maternity unit, general medical and surgical units, oncology services, renal dialysis, and dental services. Opened ahead of schedule with new CT scanner.
Bowdens Silver Project
Australia's largest undeveloped silver deposit comprising an open-cut mine that will produce 3.4 million ounces of silver annually over 16 years, along with zinc and lead by-products. The project has a JORC-compliant reserve of 71.7 million ounces of silver and is currently awaiting reinstatement of development consent from the NSW Independent Planning Commission.
Crudine Ridge Wind Farm
Crudine Ridge Wind Farm is a 134MW wind farm consisting of 37 GE wind turbines, producing enough electricity to power more than 75,000 homes and prevent 266,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The project became fully operational in 2022 and supplies clean energy to corporate partners including Nestle Australia and Sydney Airport.
Employment
Employment conditions in Mudgee Surrounds - East face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally
Mudgee Surrounds - East has a balanced workforce with equal representation of white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent, and the unemployment rate is 6.4%. As of December 2025, 1,371 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.4% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.
Workforce participation stands at 51.0%, significantly lower than Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census data, 19.9% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing (3.0 times the regional average), health care & social assistance (12.3%), and education & training. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, with a decrease of 5.7% in employment over the year to December 2025.
In comparison, Regional NSW saw a 1.2% fall in employment during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mudgee Surrounds - East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis
AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended 30 June 2023 shows Mudgee Surrounds - East SA2 had median income among taxpayers at $43,327 with average income standing at $55,073. This is lower than national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 for Regional NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year ended 30 June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $47,798 (median) and $60,757 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Mudgee Surrounds - East fall between 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis reveals that 33.6% of the community (1,138 individuals) earn $400-$799 weekly, contrasting with Regional NSW where the $1,500-$2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. The concentration of 46.6% in sub-$800 weekly brackets highlights economic challenges faced by a significant portion of the community. While housing costs are modest with 87.9% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at just the 4th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Mudgee Surrounds - East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Dwelling structure in Mudgee Surrounds - East, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 96.4% houses and 3.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mudgee Surrounds - East was 55.1%, with the remainder either mortgaged (22.3%) or rented (22.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Mudgee Surrounds - East was $230, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Mudgee Surrounds - East's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,083 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Mudgee Surrounds - East features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 59.2% of all households, including 16.9% couples with children, 30.8% couples without children, and 10.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 40.8%, with lone person households at 38.5% and group households making up 2.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Mudgee Surrounds - East faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
The area's university qualification rate is 13.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (32.6%). Educational participation is high at 26.6%, with 10.9% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.
Educational participation is notably high, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Mudgee Surrounds - East has 151 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus routes. These are covered by 25 individual routes offering 152 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 145 meters to the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, with outward commuting being typical. Car remains the dominant mode at 90%, while 7% walk. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling.
According to the 2021 Census, 19.9% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 21 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Mudgee Surrounds - East is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Mudgee Surrounds - East faces significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~1,606 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.
The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (14.2%) and mental health issues (8.4%). 56.2% of residents declare no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age population health challenges are notable due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 32.4% (1,096 people), compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. Senior health outcomes present additional challenges, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Mudgee Surrounds - East is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
Mudgee Surrounds-East had a cultural diversity index below average, with 87.8% of its population being citizens, 89.6% born in Australia, and 96.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 63.2%, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW as of 2016. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.3%), English (32.5%), and Irish (8.1%).
Notably, Maltese representation was higher at 1.1% compared to the regional average of 0.4%. Australian Aboriginal representation was also notable at 4.8%, slightly higher than the regional average of 4.6%. Welsh ancestry was present at 0.6%, marginally higher than the regional average of 0.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Mudgee Surrounds - East ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide
The median age in Mudgee Surrounds - East is 53, which is higher than the Regional NSW figure of 43 and significantly exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, Mudgee Surrounds - East has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (17.8%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (6.0%). This concentration of 55-64 year-olds is well above the national figure of 11.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has increased from 10.9% to 13.0%, while those aged 15 to 24 have risen from 8.4% to 9.8%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 13.6% to 11.1%, and those aged 65 to 74 have dropped from 17.5% to 16.0%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in the age structure of Mudgee Surrounds - East. The number of residents aged 85+ is projected to grow by 78%, reaching 205 from 115. This aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above comprising 66% of the projected growth. Conversely, both the 35-44 age group and the 15-24 age group are projected to decrease in number.