Murwillumbah Surrounds

Population growth drivers in Murwillumbah Surrounds are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Murwillumbah Surrounds's population is around 10,850 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 498 people (4.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,352 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,690 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 58 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 11.9 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Murwillumbah Surrounds's 4.8% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (4.1%) and the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which contributed approximately 36.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers, including overseas migration and natural growth, were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Regarding demographic trends, an above-median population growth for Australia's non-metropolitan areas is projected, with the area expected to expand by 2,061 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, recording a gain of 17.5% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Murwillumbah Surrounds according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Murwillumbah Surrounds has seen around 13 new homes approved each year, totalling 67 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 20 approvals have been recorded. Given an average of 8.6 new residents per year arriving per dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand is significantly outpacing supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $390,000. Additionally, $19.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, suggesting balanced commercial development activity.

Relative to the Rest of NSW, Murwillumbah Surrounds has significantly less development activity (58.0% below regional average per person). This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This activity is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and pointing to possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 90.0% detached houses and 10.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 1545 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Murwillumbah Surrounds will gain 1,901 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). 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 Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 24 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Murwillumbah Depot, Quarry Business Park, Animal Pound and Rehoming Centre, and Hundred Hills Estate, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Murwillumbah Surrounds recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Murwillumbah Surrounds has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation and an unemployment rate of 4.4%. As of December 2025, 5,091 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 0.5% above Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation is broadly similar to Regional NSW's 61.3%. Based on Census responses, a moderate 21.0% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average. In contrast, public administration & safety employs just 4.6% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 7.5%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, the 12-month period saw the labour force decrease by 0.2% while employment declined by 0.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced an employment decline of 1.2% and a labour force decline of 0.8%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Murwillumbah Surrounds. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Murwillumbah Surrounds's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The Murwillumbah Surrounds SA2's income level is lower than the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. The Murwillumbah Surrounds SA2's median income among taxpayers is $43,617 and the average income stands at $53,977, compared to figures for Regional NSW of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $47,481 (median) and $58,759 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Murwillumbah Surrounds all fall between the 16th and 27th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 30.6% of the community (3,320 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 29.9% in the same category. After housing, 85.7% of income remains, though this ranks at only the 30th percentile nationally and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Dwelling structure within Murwillumbah Surrounds, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 98.5% houses and 1.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Murwillumbah Surrounds was well beyond that of Regional NSW, at 48.5%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (35.6%) or rented (15.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was above the Regional NSW average at $1,745, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $350, compared to Regional NSW's $1,733 and $330. Nationally, Murwillumbah Surrounds's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure of $375.

Murwillumbah Surrounds features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 74.4% of all households, comprising 28.1% couples with children, 34.0% couples without children, and 11.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 25.6%, with lone person households at 21.5% and group households comprising 4.0% of the total. The median household size of 2.6 people is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

Educational qualifications in Murwillumbah Surrounds trail regional benchmarks, with 24.2% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 32.2% in NSW. This gap highlights potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees lead at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (12.1%) and certificates (30.0%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.9% of residents aged 15+ currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.2% in primary education, 9.6% in secondary education, and 3.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 612 active transport stops operating within Murwillumbah Surrounds, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 59 individual routes, collectively providing 707 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 150 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 93%, with 4% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. Some 21.0% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 101 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 1 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

The level of general health in Murwillumbah Surrounds is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Murwillumbah Surrounds demonstrates above-average health outcomes, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions, though the rate of private health cover is low at approximately 47% of the total population (~5,056 people). This compares to 51.9% across Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.4% and 7.9% of residents, respectively, while 68.3% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 22.8% of residents aged 65 and over (2,474 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than those of the general population.

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

Murwillumbah Surrounds was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 85.5% of its population being citizens, 85.7% born in Australia, and 95.5% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Murwillumbah Surrounds is Christianity, which makes up 42.2% of people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Judaism, which comprises 0.2% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Regional NSW.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Murwillumbah Surrounds are English, comprising 32.3% of the population, Australian, comprising 28.9% of the population, and Irish, comprising 10.5% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Scottish is notably overrepresented at 8.7% of Murwillumbah Surrounds (vs 8.0% regionally), French at 0.6% (vs 0.4%) and Welsh at 0.6% (vs 0.5%).

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

At 47 years, Murwillumbah Surrounds's median age is significantly above the Regional NSW average of 43 as well as substantially exceeding the 38-year national average. The age profile shows 55 - 64 year-olds are particularly prominent (16.5%), while the 25 - 34 group is comparatively smaller (8.1%) than in Regional NSW. This 55 - 64 concentration is well above the national 11.2%. In the period since 2021, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 5.2% to 6.8% of the population, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 10.1% to 11.3%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 18.9% to 16.5% and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 14.0% to 12.6%. By 2041, Murwillumbah Surrounds is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading the demographic shift, the 75 to 84 group will grow by 47% (351 people), reaching 1,095 from 743. The 65 to 74 group displays more modest growth at 3%, adding only 45 residents.