Muswellbrook

Muswellbrook is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Muswellbrook's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 12,617. This figure shows an increase from the 2021 Census total of 12,272 people, which translates to a growth of 345 individuals (2.8%). This change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 12,612 in June 2024 and an additional 189 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio stands at 48 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Muswellbrook has exhibited a compound annual growth rate of 0.2%, outperforming its SA3 area. Natural growth contributed approximately 65.5% to recent overall population gains in the area.

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 employs 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. By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 596 persons, reflecting an overall gain of 4.7% over the 17-year period.

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

Muswellbrook has received approximately 30 dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25154 homes were approved, with a further 28 approved in FY-26. On average, 0.8 people moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years.

This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost of new homes was $472,000. In FY-26, $22.2 million in commercial development approvals were recorded, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Muswellbrook has 13.0% lower construction activity per person and ranks at the 44th percentile nationally for buyer options, suggesting somewhat limited choices while strengthening demand for established dwellings.

This level reflects market maturity and possible development constraints. New developments consist of 96.0% detached dwellings and 4.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 396 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections estimate Muswellbrook will add 590 residents by 2041 (based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Muswellbrook has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Eastbrook Links Estate, Muswellbrook Solar Farm, Muswellbrook Marketplace Redevelopment, and Muswellbrook Clean Industries Precinct (MCIP). The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Muswellbrook face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Muswellbrook's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominent. Its unemployment rate was 7.5% as of June 2025.

In that month, 5,504 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 3.8%, exceeding Rest of NSW's rate by 0.1%. Workforce participation in Muswellbrook stood at 58.9%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries for employment among Muswellbrook residents are mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Mining is particularly notable with employment levels at 9.2 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance has a limited presence, accounting for 10.4% of employment compared to the regional figure of 16.9%. As per the Census, Muswellbrook had a worker-to-resident ratio of 0.7, indicating a level of local employment opportunities above average. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force levels in Muswellbrook decreased by 4.4%, accompanied by an employment decrease of 4.2%. This resulted in the unemployment rate falling by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and a rise in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data for NSW up to Nov-25 showed employment had contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Muswellbrook's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.2% over five years and 11.8% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for potential localised population changes.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Muswellbrook SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $54,689 and an average of $70,561. This is higher than the national average. Rest of NSW had 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, current estimates for Muswellbrook SA2 would be approximately $61,585 (median) and $79,459 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Muswellbrook rank modestly, between the 40th and 41st percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 32.6% of residents (4,113 people), similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 29.9%. After housing costs, 85.1% of income remains for other expenses.

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

In Muswellbrook, as per the latest Census evaluation, 87.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 12.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 89.7% houses and 10.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Muswellbrook stood at 27.2%, with mortgaged properties making up 33.9% and rented dwellings accounting for 39.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,538. The median weekly rent figure in Muswellbrook was recorded at $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $290. Nationally, Muswellbrook's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Muswellbrook has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 67.5% of all households, including 27.7% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 14.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.5%, with lone person households at 29.6% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4 people.

Muswellbrook faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.0%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (36.5%). Educational participation is high, with 32.6% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising primary (13.2%), secondary (9.0%), and tertiary (2.2%) levels.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.2% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Muswellbrook has 362 active public transport stops, consisting of both train and bus services. These stops are served by 35 different routes that together facilitate 1,193 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent accessibility to these stops, with an average distance of 116 meters to the nearest one.

On average, there are 170 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately three weekly trips per stop.

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

Muswellbrook faces significant health challenges, as indicated by data from 2017-18. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 55% (~6,939 people) of Muswellbrook's total population has private health cover, compared to 57.5% in the rest of NSW. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 10.3% and 10.3% of residents respectively. Conversely, 64.0% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than the 65.4% reported across the rest of NSW. Muswellbrook has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (15.1%, or 1,906 people) compared to the rest of NSW (18.9%). Health outcomes among seniors in Muswellbrook largely align with those of the general population.

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

Muswellbrook, as per the data, showed lower cultural diversity with 88.3% citizens, 90.5% born in Australia, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 58.0%, compared to 63.9% across Rest of NSW. The top ancestry groups were Australian (34.0%), English (29.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (9.2%).

Notable differences existed in Maori representation at 0.5% (vs regional 0.4%), Filipino at 1.0% (vs 0.7%), and Lebanese at 0.2% (vs 0.1%).

Muswellbrook's population is younger than the national pattern

Muswellbrook's median age is 35 years, which is significantly below the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and somewhat younger than the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Muswellbrook at 15.2%, while the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 8.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group has grown from 4.2% to 5.0% of the population, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 15.3% to 14.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that Muswellbrook's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 75-84 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 66%, adding 415 residents to reach 1,043. Demographic aging continues as residents aged 65 and older represent 56% of anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 45-54 cohorts.