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 was around 12,614 as of November 2025. This figure showed an increase of 342 people from the 2021 Census total of 12,272. The change was inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 12,611 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since then. This resulted in a density ratio of 48 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Muswellbrook's growth rate was 0.2% annually, outperforming its SA3 area. Natural growth contributed approximately 65.5% to overall population gains recently.

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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 using a base year of 2021 are applied. Growth rates by age group are used for years 2032 to 2041. Future population projections indicate regional areas will likely experience lower quartile growth, with Muswellbrook expected to grow by 596 persons by 2041 based on latest annual ERP numbers, reflecting a total gain of 4.7%.

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. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25154 homes were approved, with a further 38 approved in FY26 so far. On average, 0.8 people have moved to the area each year for every dwelling built during these years.

This indicates that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and allowing for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average expected construction cost of new homes is $384,000. In FY26, Muswellbrook has recorded $22.2 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting steady commercial investment activity. Comparatively, Muswellbrook shows 13.0% lower construction activity per person than the rest of NSW.

Nationally, it ranks at the 44th percentile among assessed areas, indicating somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings. This level reflects market maturity and may suggest potential development constraints. New developments in Muswellbrook consist of 96.0% detached dwellings and 4.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 396 people, reflecting its quiet, low-activity development environment. Future projections estimate Muswellbrook will add 593 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch 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 impacting the area. Notable projects include Eastbrook Links Estate, Muswellbrook Solar Farm, Muswellbrook Clean Industries Precinct (MCIP), and Muswellbrook Marketplace Redevelopment. 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 labour market performance in Muswellbrook lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Muswellbrook's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs, with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate was 7.2%. By September 2025, 5,492 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 3.3%, exceeding Rest of NSW's rate by 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Muswellbrook is similar to Rest of NSW's rate of 61.5%. According to Census responses, only 9.1% of residents worked from home as of September 2025. Key industries for employment among residents are mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Mining has a notable concentration with employment levels at 9.2 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance has limited presence with 10.4% employment compared to the regional average of 16.9%. There were 0.7 workers for each resident in Muswellbrook as per Census data, indicating higher than normal local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.9% along with a 1.5% decrease in employment, resulting in a fall of 1.3 percentage points in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.5%, labour force decline of 0.1%, and an increase in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Muswellbrook's employment mix indicates local employment could increase by 5.2% over five years and 11.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year ending June 2023 shows Muswellbrook SA2 had a median income of $59,014 and an average income of $73,960 among taxpayers. This is higher than national averages. The Rest of NSW had a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 2023 to September 2025, estimated incomes for Muswellbrook would be approximately $64,243 (median) and $80,513 (average). 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 is dominant, with 32.6% of residents (4,112 people), similar to metropolitan regions where this cohort represents 29.9%. After accounting for 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

Dwelling structure in Muswellbrook, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 87.6% houses and 12.5% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Muswellbrook was at 27.2%, with the rest either mortgaged (33.9%) or rented (39.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733 and Australia's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330 and the national figure of $375.

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

Family households are the majority, making up 67.5% of all households in the area. They consist of 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.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 11.0%, significantly lower than the NSW 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 prominent, with 44.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (36.5%). Educational participation is high at 32.6%, with 13.2% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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 377 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 46 routes, providing 1,454 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is excellent with residents typically 116 meters from the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential; most commute outward using cars, which remain dominant at 95%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 9.1% of residents work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 207 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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 AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age cohorts exhibit high prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is very high in Muswellbrook, at approximately 56% of the total population (~7,076 people), compared to 51.9% across 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 higher than the 63.3% reported in Rest of NSW. Working-age population health challenges are notable due to elevated chronic condition rates. Muswellbrook has 15.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,905 people), lower than the 23.0% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings for 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% of its population being citizens, 90.5% born in Australia, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, accounting for 58.0%, compared to 55.9% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.0%), English (29.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (9.2%).

Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Maori at 0.5% in Muswellbrook vs 0.3% regionally, Filipino at 1.0% vs 0.6%, and Lebanese at 0.2%.

Muswellbrook's population is younger than the national pattern

Muswellbrook's median age is 35 years, significantly below the Rest of NSW average of 43 and somewhat younger than the Australian median of 38. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented at 15.2% locally compared to the Rest of NSW average, while the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 8.5%. As of the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 4.2% to 5.0% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 15.3% to 14.2%. Demographic modeling suggests Muswellbrook's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 66%, adding 416 residents to reach 1,043. Residents aged 65 and older represent 56% of anticipated population growth. Population declines are projected for the 65 to 74 and 45 to 54 cohorts.