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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Murwillumbah is $950k, with units at $585k. House values have moved 5.4% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Murwillumbah has an estimated 9,514 residents. That puts 392 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count in Murwillumbah stands at approximately 9,514 as of Aug 2026. This represents a net addition of 13 people (0.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, when 9,501 people were enumerated. That figure is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 9,510 recorded in June 2025 alongside 86 validated new addresses identified post-Census. With 391 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains an open settlement pattern offering ample room for prospective expansion. Net overseas arrivals served as the primary catalyst for local demographic expansion, accounting for roughly 85.2% of recent population increases.
Projections generated by the ABS/Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, are applied by AreaSearch across SA2 locations. In areas where these figures are unavailable, NSW State Government SA2 modeling from 2022 using 2021 as the base year is incorporated instead. Age-specific growth distributions from these datasets are further extrapolated across all regions for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, demographic growth is slated to track marginally below the national regional benchmark, with projections indicating an expansion of 895 persons to 2041 relative to the newest annual ERP figures, translating to an overall growth rate of 9.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
68 new dwellings have been approved in Murwillumbah over the past five years, an average of 13 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Murwillumbah have averaged approximately 13 dwellings annually, culminating in 68 homes over the past 5 financial years. In the context of recent demographic contraction, this volume of construction has provided sufficient supply to benefit prospective purchasers, with upcoming residences carrying an average construction value of $413,000. In addition, commercial planning consents have reached $12.1 million in the current financial year, pointing to steady non-residential development. Compared to Rest of NSW, residential construction across Murwillumbah is substantially subdued (55.0% below regional average per person). Such limited dwelling creation generally bolsters buyer competition and pricing across existing housing stock.
Construction rates also sit below national benchmarks, underscoring the suburb's established character alongside potential zoning limitations. Detached houses comprise 86.0% of recent approvals while medium and high-density housing makes up 14.0%, reinforcing a low-density urban footprint geared toward buyers seeking space. An estimated ratio of 1468 people per residential approval highlights the subdued nature of local construction activity. Based on the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch, Murwillumbah is forecast to add 891 residents through to 2041. If residential building continues at its current pace, future dwelling additions may fall short of demographic expansion, likely driving heightened buyer demand and placing upward pressure on local real estate values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Murwillumbah
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Murwillumbah, worth an estimated $219 million. A further 121 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $36.1 billion. 31 are already under construction and 46 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Regional development and economic performance are heavily shaped by planning frameworks and capital works. AreaSearch has pinpointed 7 strategic initiatives expected to influence the district, highlighted by Murwillumbah Depot, Industry Central Land Swap, Quarry Business Park, and Hundred Hills Estate, with significant local developments outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
Industry Central Land Swap
A strategic land swap initiative by Tweed Shire Council to relocate businesses from flood-prone areas in South Murwillumbah to flood-free industrial land at Industry Central, enhancing economic resilience against future floods[cite: 1]. Infrastructure works completed in March 2025, with businesses now preparing to build and relocate[cite: 1].
Quarry Business Park
Quarry Business Park is a 6.65-hectare industrial land estate in South Murwillumbah, offering 19 freehold lots ranging from 2,006sqm to 6,799sqm and zoned E4 General Industrial. Located in a historically flood-free growth corridor of the Tweed region near the M1 Motorway, the estate has development approval and construction certificate secured, with civil works underway by contractor SEE Civil. Each lot includes a dedicated pad-mount substation and high-speed NBN access, with completion of civil works expected in late 2025 and title registration targeted for early 2026.The project is being delivered by Inca Property Group as part of its industrial land pipeline across South East Queensland and Northern NSW.
Hundred Hills Estate
A residential estate offering 105 urban lots with panoramic views of Mount Warning and the Border Ranges, located 5 minutes from Murwillumbah town center. Stage 1 with 36 lots completed in 2022, next phase of 35 lots scheduled for 2025, and planning for the final stage to begin in 2026.
Murwillumbah Depot
New flood-resilient Tweed Shire Council depot at Industry Central replacing the flood-prone Buchanan Street depot. The facility includes administration offices, workshops, vehicle storage, solar power and EV charging to improve emergency response capability and operational resilience. The depot officially opened in July 2026.
Murwillumbah Schools Upgrades
Upgrades to four public schools in Murwillumbah, including refurbished classrooms, specialist spaces, libraries, canteens, and facilities, after cancelling a merger plan and returning separate identities to Murwillumbah High School, Wollumbin High School, Murwillumbah East Public School, and Murwillumbah Public School.
Animal Management Facility
A purpose-built, flood-free animal management facility for impounding, sheltering, and rehoming companion animals, housing up to 80 animals (40 dogs and 40 cats) along with facilities for stockyard animals. The centre consolidates veterinary care, exercise yards, a Rangers unit office, impounded vehicle storage, and an administrative hub for rehoming partner Friends of the Pound. Funded jointly by the Australian Government ($2.76M), NSW Government ($375,000), and Tweed Shire Council ($6M), the facility replaces the former Stotts Creek pound which closed in 2019 due to flood risk.Opened December 2025.
Budd Park Revitalisation
The revitalisation of Budd Park in Murwillumbah has transformed it into an inclusive, flood-resilient riverside park featuring accessible shelters, barbecues, picnic tables, pathways, bike racks, public art, landscaping, and improved drainage following the 2017 and 2022 floods.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail - Tweed Section
A 24 km shared-use rail trail from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek along the former Casino-Murwillumbah railway corridor (Tweed Section). Part of the broader 132-134 km Northern Rivers Rail Trail. Features 18 restored railway bridges, 2 tunnels, accessible paths, and scenic rural views. Opened March 2023, developed by Tweed Shire Council to boost tourism, recreation, and the local economy. High usage has exceeded expectations with significant positive economic impact.
4,159 residents of Murwillumbah are employed, from a labour force of 4,368. Unemployment sits at 4.8%, with participation at 55.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Murwillumbah features a capable labor pool with substantial representation across community service sectors, an unemployment rate of 4.8%, and estimated annual job creation of 3.0%. There are 4,159 employed residents recorded as of March 2026, with local unemployment tracking 0.7% above the 4.1% rate seen across Regional NSW, alongside a markedly lower labor participation rate of 55.5% versus 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census figures indicate that just 11.3% of workers operated from home, though temporary pandemic-related restrictions should be kept in mind. The primary employment sectors for local residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.
Conversely, the agriculture, forestry & fishing industry is relatively small, engaging only 2.9% of the local workforce compared to 5.3% across Regional NSW. Although local businesses provide jobs within the district, comparison of resident worker figures against local employment indicates that many workers travel outside the area for their jobs. AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM figures indicates that in the 12 months to March 2026, local employment expanded by 3.0% alongside a 4.0% rise in the labor force, elevating the jobless rate by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW registered a 0.9% drop in total employment, a 0.4% reduction in the workforce, and an unemployment increase of 0.5 percentage points. Projections from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in Mar-26 provide further perspective on future labor requirements. When applying national industry outlooks—projecting 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years—to Murwillumbah's specific sector breakdown, local employment is estimated to rise by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years (note that this represents a weighted projection for modeling purposes and excludes localized population dynamics).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Murwillumbah is $1,154 a week (about $60,000 a year), with median personal income at $597 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,008 a year against an average of $53,257. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Tax office data for financial year 2023 aggregated by AreaSearch indicates that the Murwillumbah SA2 recorded a median taxpayer earnings figure of $43,008 alongside an average of $53,257. These amounts sit beneath national benchmarks as well as Regional NSW, where the median is $52,390 and the average reaches $65,215. Incorporating a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 adjusts current modeled levels to approximately $47,446 (median) and $58,753 (average) as of March 2026. Across personal, family, and household measures, Census figures position local earnings between the 10th and 11th percentiles throughout Australia.
The largest cohort of earners accounts for 28.0% of residents (2,663 residents) receiving $400 - 799 weekly, contrasting with broader metropolitan areas where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is most prevalent at 29.9%. Local households face acute housing costs, retaining only 79.3% of income and ranking at the 8th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Murwillumbah had 3,667 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 79% detached houses and 14% apartments. 33% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,733 a month. Rent absorbs 30.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 34.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records indicate that the residential landscape of Murwillumbah comprises 78.9% separate houses and 21.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), whereas Regional NSW exhibits 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Outright property ownership stands at 36.6%, slightly trailing the broader region, while 32.6% of homes are mortgaged and 30.8% are rented. Typical monthly mortgage payments match the Regional NSW figure of $1,733, while typical weekly rent is $350 compared to $1,733 for mortgages and $330 for rentals in Regional NSW. Nationally, local repayments remain lower than the Australian median mortgage of $1,863 and median rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Murwillumbah counted 3,667 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 24% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the primary living arrangement, accounting for 65.9% of all households, made up of 24.1% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 16.2% single parent families. Non-family dwellings make up the remaining 34.1%, consisting of 31.0% single-person occupants and 3.1% group living arrangements. Average household occupancy sits at 2.4 people, matching the figure for Regional NSW.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.6% of adults in Murwillumbah hold a university qualification, including 13.8% with a bachelor degree and 3.3% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 30.5% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 2,937 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,012 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment levels for higher education present an area for potential development, with 19.6% of residents holding a tertiary qualification compared to the NSW benchmark of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees represent the primary qualification at 13.8%, alongside 3.3% holding postgraduate qualifications and 2.5% possessing graduate diplomas. Technical and vocational qualifications are widely held, with 40.9% of the population aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including 10.4% with advanced diplomas and 30.5% with certificates. Community engagement in learning is pronounced, with 30.1% of the population attending an educational institution. Among those studying, 11.3% are in primary education, 9.1% are enrolled in secondary education, and 3.3% are undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Murwillumbah reaches 244 stops on 67 routes, timetabled for about 1,300 services a week. The typical home sits about 120 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Local transit infrastructure features 244 operational stops across Murwillumbah providing bus connectivity across 67 dedicated routes, delivering an aggregate of 1,298 weekly passenger trips. Network proximity is high, with typical walking distances to a stop averaging 120 meters. Commuters largely travel outside the district, with private vehicle travel accounting for 93% of journeys and 4% walking. Vehicle availability averages 1.2 per dwelling, below regional norms, while 11.3% of workers were based at home during the 2021 Census, subject to prevailing pandemic conditions. Bus services provide an average of 185 trips per day throughout the network, which equates to roughly 5 weekly trips per stop across the area.
The local transit mapping illustrates the 100 nearest stops positioned around the central coordinate.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.3% of residents in Murwillumbah report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 79% of areas nationally. 8.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments from AreaSearch highlight notable wellness challenges in Murwillumbah, evidenced by elevated mortality rates and chronic health issues spanning both younger and older demographics. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is limited, with roughly 46% of the population (~4,404 people) insured, trailing the Regional NSW level of 51.9% and the Australian standard of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, documented among 10.5 and 10.0% of the population, respectively, while 62.3% of residents report no ongoing illnesses compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age individuals experience substantial rates of chronic conditions, while residents aged 65 and over comprise 25.1% of the community (2,390 people), surpassing the 23.3% proportion across Regional NSW and exhibiting elevated condition rates relative to nationwide cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Murwillumbah is largely Australian-born, at 86.5% of residents, with 5.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.0%) and Australian (28.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Demographic indicators reflect a relatively homogeneous community, with 89.6% holding Australian citizenship, 86.5% born in Australia, and 94.8% speaking English exclusively in domestic settings. Christianity represents the leading faith, accounting for 48.4% of the population, while adherence to Other religions is documented at 1.6%, exceeding the 0.8% mark observed across Regional NSW. Parental heritage figures show that the leading declared ancestries across Murwillumbah include English at 32.0%, Australian at 28.3%, and Irish at 11.1%. Other cultural backgrounds also show distinct local representation: Scottish ancestry stands at 9.0% (compared to 8.0% regionally), French accounts for 0.7% (against 0.4%), and Australian Aboriginal background is recorded at 2.6% (versus 4.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Murwillumbah is 46, older than 81% of areas nationally. 21.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution of Murwillumbah closely mirrors Regional NSW, with the greatest variance across brackets reaching 3.2 percentage points. The median age remains at an estimated 46, unchanged from the 2021 Census, sitting 3 years above the Regional NSW level of 43 and higher than the national median of 38 recorded in the same Census. Since that period, the demographic aged 45 - 64 has declined from 26.7% to an estimated 25.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, the senior cohort (65+) is projected to see the largest increase, expanding by 422 residents (18%) to reach 2,813, while youth and young adult demographics are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Murwillumbah
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 7 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 86 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (9,501 at the 2021 Census → 9,514 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (112031251). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.