Murwillumbah
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Murwillumbah's population was approximately 9,568 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 67 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 9,501. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: Murwillumbah had an estimated resident population of 9,544 in June 2024 and gained 77 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 393 persons per square kilometer. Murwillumbah's growth rate of 0.7% since the census is within 2.5 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 3.2%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 83.3% 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 NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Murwillumbah is expected to increase by approximately 928 persons, reflecting an 8.6% total increase over the 17-year period, which is just below the median growth rate of non-metropolitan areas nationally.

The level of residential development activity in Murwillumbah is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Murwillumbah has seen approximately 16 new homes approved annually. Between FY21-FY25, 81 homes were approved, with 2 more approved in FY26 so far. The population decline in recent years suggests that the new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice.

New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost of $599,000, moderately above regional levels, indicating a focus on quality construction. In FY26, $12.1 million worth of commercial approvals have been registered, showing moderate levels of commercial development compared to the rest of NSW. Murwillumbah has around half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 14th percentile nationally for housing choices, suggesting limited options for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. This is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

New building activity comprises 92% standalone homes and 8% medium-high density housing, maintaining Murwillumbah's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1150 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population forecasts indicate Murwillumbah will gain 820 residents by 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.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely affecting this region. Notable projects include Murwillumbah Depot, Animal Pound and Rehoming Centre, Industry Central Land Swap, and Quarry Business Park. 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.

The employment landscape in Murwillumbah presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.8%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Murwillumbah has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.8% as of June 2025.

There were 4,028 residents employed at this time, with an unemployment rate of 0.1% higher than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Murwillumbah was lower at 51.3%, compared to 56.4% in the Rest of NSW. The leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employed only 2.9% of local workers, below the Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Many residents appear to commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 4.8%, employment declined by 3.7%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, across the Rest of NSW, employment fell by 0.1%, labour force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points during this period. According to Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025, national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Murwillumbah's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

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

Murwillumbah's median income among taxpayers was $40,717 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $51,177 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of NSW which were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. By September 2025, current estimates project median income in Murwillumbah to be approximately $45,851 and average income to reach around $57,630 based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Murwillumbah all fall between the 10th and 11th percentiles nationally. In terms of income distribution, 28.0% of locals (2,679 people) earn within the $400 - $799 range, unlike surrounding regions where 29.9% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Murwillumbah, with only 79.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

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

Murwillumbah's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 78.9% houses and 21.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 66.3% houses and 33.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Murwillumbah was at 36.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.6% and rented ones at 30.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,872. The median weekly rent in Murwillumbah was $350, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $400. Nationally, Murwillumbah's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Murwillumbah features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 65.9% of all households, including 24.1% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 16.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.1%, with lone person households at 31.0% and group households comprising 3.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which matches the average for the Rest of NSW.

Educational attainment in Murwillumbah aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 19.6%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 40.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 30.5%. Educational participation is high, with 30.1% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.3% in primary, 9.1% in secondary, and 3.3% in tertiary education.

There are 10 schools operating in Murwillumbah, educating approximately 2,937 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1012) and balanced educational opportunities. The schools include 5 primary, 3 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools. The area functions as an education hub with 30.7 school places per 100 residents, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Murwillumbah has 218 active public transport stops. These are served by a mix of buses along 67 different routes. Together, these provide 949 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 120 meters from the nearest stop. On average, there are 135 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately four weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Murwillumbah is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Murwillumbah faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have a notable prevalence of common health conditions. Only approximately 46% (~4,439 people) of the total population has private health cover, compared to 49.3% across the Rest of NSW, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.5 and 10.0% of residents respectively. However, 62.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.2% across the Rest of NSW. The area has 24.7% (2,361 people) of residents aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 26.1% in the Rest of NSW. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Murwillumbah's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.6% of its population being citizens, 86.5% born in Australia, and 94.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Murwillumbah, comprising 48.4% of people there. However, the most notable overrepresentation was seen in the 'Other' category, which made up 1.6% of Murwillumbah's population compared to 0.8% across the rest of NSW.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups were English at 32.0%, Australian at 28.3%, and Irish at 11.1%. There were also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: French was overrepresented at 0.7% compared to 0.5% regionally, Scottish at 9.0% versus 8.7%, and Australian Aboriginal at 2.6% compared to 3.0%.

Murwillumbah hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Murwillumbah's median age is 46, which is higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and significantly greater than Australia's national norm of 38. The age group 45-54 has a strong representation at 12.8%, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 10.0%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25 to 34 age group grew from 8.6% to 10.0% of Murwillumbah's population, and the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 10.1% to 11.4%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 14.1% to 12.8%. By 2041, Murwillumbah is projected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. The 25 to 34 group is expected to grow by 27%, adding 254 people and reaching a total of 1,207 from the previous count of 952. Meanwhile, the 5-14 and 55-64 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.