Mudgee Surrounds - West

Population growth drivers in Mudgee Surrounds - West are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Mudgee Surrounds - West's population was around 11,717 as of November 2025. This reflected an increase of 645 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,072. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,402 in June 2024 and an additional 254 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 1.5 persons per square kilometer. Mudgee Surrounds - West's growth of 5.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region's 2.9%. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 46.8% of overall population gains.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections were used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group were applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future trends projected an above median population growth for national non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected to increase by 2,419 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 17.9% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Mudgee Surrounds - West recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Mudgee Surrounds - West has received approximately 25 dwelling development approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 129 homes. As of FY-26, 15 approvals have been recorded. On average, each home built between FY-21 and FY-25 attracted 4.2 new residents annually, indicating a significant demand exceeding supply. The average construction cost for these properties was $687,000, suggesting developers targeted the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $39.8 million in commercial approvals registered, reflecting high local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Mudgee Surrounds - West had approximately half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person as of FY-26, placing it around the 36th percentile nationally for areas assessed. This suggests limited buyer options and strengthening demand for established dwellings in the area. The low density nature is preserved with 91.0% standalone homes and 9.0% medium to high-density housing approvals, attracting space-seeking buyers.

As of FY-25, there were an estimated 473 people per dwelling approval in the area. Population forecasts indicate Mudgee Surrounds - West will gain approximately 2,095 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases in the area.

Mudgee Surrounds - West has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 41stth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can be significantly influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 56 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable among these are Proposed Subdivision 1 into 6 Lots at Flirtation Hill Lane, Millennium Estate, DA0242/2024 Proposed Caravan Park at Magpie Lane in Galambine, and Improving Water Security for Mudgee and Gulgong. The following list provides details on those projects deemed 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.

Employment conditions in Mudgee Surrounds - West demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Mudgee Surrounds West has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 1.9%.

In this month, 5,960 residents are employed while the area's unemployment rate is 1.8% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Mudgee Surrounds West is on par with Rest of NSW at 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and health care & social assistance. Mining has a significant presence, with an employment share 5.7 times the regional level.

Health care & social assistance, however, has limited presence at 10.2% compared to the regional average of 16.9%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force decreased by 2.5% and employment fell by 3.2%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW experienced a 0.1% employment fall, 0.3% labour force expansion, and a 0.4 percentage point unemployment increase. State-level data from Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's May-25 national employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mudgee Surrounds West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.2% over five years and 11.6% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Mudgee Surrounds - West SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $47,651 and an average of $62,004. These figures are lower than the national averages. The Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $53,660 (median) and $69,823 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Mudgee Surrounds - West rank modestly between the 21st and 29th percentiles. Income analysis reveals 28.9% of the population, equating to 3,386 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range. This pattern is similar to surrounding regions where 29.9% occupy this range. Housing costs allow for 87.0% retention, but disposable income sits below average at the 34th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure in Mudgee Surrounds - West, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.5% houses and 2.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mudgee Surrounds - West stood at 47.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.0% and rented ones at 15.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,651, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,600. The median weekly rent figure in the area was $280, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. Nationally, Mudgee Surrounds - West's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,651 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 71.8% of all households, including couples with children (29.5%), couples without children (32.7%), and single parent families (8.8%). Non-family households account for the remaining 28.2%, with lone person households at 26.0% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3 people.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 14.4%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 46.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (36.8%).

Educational participation is high at 30.8%, comprising primary education (12.9%), secondary education (9.3%), and tertiary education (1.8%).

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

Transport analysis indicates 672 active transport stops operating within Mudgee Surrounds - West, including a mix of train and bus services. These stops are serviced by 52 individual routes, collectively providing 443 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 511 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 63 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 0 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Mudgee Surrounds faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover stands at approximately 51% of the total population (~5,928 people). The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 9.8 and 8.5% of residents respectively. 65.7% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 62.9% across Rest of NSW. 21.2% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,480 people), lower than the 23.1% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Mudgee Surrounds-West had a cultural diversity below average, with 88.5% citizens, 91.9% born in Australia, and 97.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, accounting for 63.9%. This compares to 59.9% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.5%), English (32.7%), and Irish (8.9%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal were overrepresented at 4.7%, compared to 4.9% regionally. Maltese were also overrepresented at 0.7%, versus 0.5%. Scottish representation was 7.6%, slightly lower than the regional average of 7.9%.

Mudgee Surrounds - West hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Mudgee Surrounds - West's median age of 44 years is similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Mudgee Surrounds - West has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (14.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.1%). Between June 2021 and June 2022, the population aged 15-24 increased from 9.0% to 10.8%, while the 35-44 age group rose from 11.3% to 12.5%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort decreased from 14.0% to 12.6%, and the 55-64 group fell from 15.9% to 14.6%. By June 2041, Mudgee Surrounds - West's age composition is projected to change significantly. The 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 23%, reaching 1,823 residents from the previous total of 1,476. The 5-14 age group is anticipated to grow more modestly at 7%, adding only 112 residents.