Mudgee Surrounds - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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 3,465 as of August 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 67 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,398. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,394 in June 2024 and an additional 104 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1.2 persons per square kilometer. Mudgee Surrounds - East's growth rate of 2.0% since the census is within 0.7 percentage points of the SA4 region's 2.7%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Population projections indicate an increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected to expand by 278 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers. This translates to a total increase of 5.9% over the 17-year period.

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. So far in FY-26, two approvals have been recorded. The population has declined in recent years, but housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, creating a balanced market with good buyer choice. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $294,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers.

There have been $1.1 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of NSW, Mudgee Surrounds - East has significantly reduced construction activity, with 63% fewer dwellings approved per person than the regional average. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, the area's building activity is also below average, reflecting its mature nature and possible planning constraints. Recent building activity consists solely of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 549 people, indicating a quiet development environment. Looking ahead, Mudgee Surrounds - East is projected to grow by 205 residents by 2041. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Mudgee Surrounds - East has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

Eleven projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Notable ones are Bowden's Silver Project, Crudine Ridge Wind Farm, Bylong Coal Mine Project, and Kandos to Gulgong Rail Line Reinstatement.

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

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Employment drivers in Mudgee Surrounds - East are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Mudgee Surrounds - East has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent.

The unemployment rate is 4.2%. As of June 2025, 1,404 residents work, while the unemployment rate is higher than Rest of NSW's at 3.7%, and participation lags at 43.1% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing (3 times regional average), health care & social assistance (12.3%), and education & training. The area offers limited local employment opportunities.

Over June 2024-June 2025, labour force decreased by 2.4%, employment fell by 4.2%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.8 percentage points. 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 mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.5% over five years and 12.1% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released on 30 June 2022 for financial year 2022, Mudgee Surrounds - East had a median income among taxpayers of $40,123 and an average level of $53,158. These figures are lower than the national averages of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively for Rest of NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated median income as of September 2025 would be approximately $45,183, with average income at around $59,861. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Mudgee Surrounds - East fall between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis shows that 33.6% of the community (1,164 individuals) earn within the $400 - $799 bracket, contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket is most prevalent at 29.9%. The concentration of 46.6% in sub-$800 weekly brackets indicates economic challenges faced by a significant portion of the community. Although housing costs are modest, with 87.9% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at just the 4th percentile nationally.

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 per the latest Census, consisted of 96.4% houses and 3.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mudgee Surrounds - East stood at 55.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.3% and rented ones at 22.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,600. Median weekly rent in the area was $230, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. Nationally, Mudgee Surrounds - East's median monthly mortgage repayment was significantly lower than Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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 account for the remaining 40.8%, with lone person households at 38.5% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Mudgee Surrounds - East faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has university qualification rates of 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 such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificates at 32.6%. Educational participation is 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. The four schools in Mudgee Surrounds - East have a combined enrollment of 396 students. Education provision is balanced with three primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Mudgee Surrounds - East has 95 active public transport stops operating within its area. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 25 individual routes serving these stops, collectively providing 140 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 188 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 20 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

Health performance in Mudgee Surrounds - East is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Mudgee Surrounds - East faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 47% (~1,618 people) have private health cover, lower than Rest of NSW's 50.8% and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (14.2%) and mental health issues (8.4%).

Conversely, 56.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 62.9% in Rest of NSW. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 31.9% (1,103 people), higher than Rest of NSW's 23.1%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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 showed cultural diversity below average levels, with 87.8% of its population being citizens, 89.6% born in Australia, and 96.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 63.2%, compared to 59.9% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.3%), English (32.5%), and Irish (8.1%).

Notably, Maltese representation was higher than regional averages at 1.1%, while Australian Aboriginal and Welsh were also slightly overrepresented at 4.8% and 0.6% respectively.

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 Rest of NSW figure of 43 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, Mudgee Surrounds - East has a higher concentration of residents aged 55-64 at 17.5%, but fewer residents aged 25-34 at 6.2%. This 55-64 concentration is well above the national figure of 11.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 10.9% to 12.7%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 8.4% to 10.2%. Conversely, the population aged 65 to 74 declined from 17.5% to 16.0%, and the 45 to 54 age group dropped from 13.6% to 12.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Mudgee Surrounds - East's age structure. The 85+ population is projected to grow by 84%, reaching 203 from 110. The aging population trend is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 70% of the projected growth. Conversely, both the 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 age groups are expected to decrease in number.