Narrabri Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

Narrabri Surrounds has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Narrabri Surrounds' population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 4,492 as of November 2025. This figure represents a decrease of 124 individuals, a decline of 2.7%, since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 4,616. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,607 in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.40 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 76.4% 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 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 the years 2032 to 2041. Based on current demographic trends and latest population numbers, Narrabri Surrounds is expected to grow by approximately 278 persons by 2041, representing an increase of about 8.8% over the 17-year period.

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

Narrabri Surrounds has had minimal residential development activity with 2 dwelling approvals annually over the past five years (12 approvals). This low level of development reflects its rural nature, where housing needs drive development rather than broad market demand. The small sample size means individual projects can significantly influence annual growth statistics.

Compared to Rest of NSW and national patterns, Narrabri Surrounds has much lower development activity. Recent construction comprises 67.0% standalone homes and 33.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from the current pattern of 95.0% houses. This change suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With an estimated 1345 people per dwelling approval, Narrabri Surrounds' population is forecasted to grow by 393 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Population forecasts indicate Narrabri Surrounds will gain 393 residents through to 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Narrabri Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Seven projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Newell Highway Upgrade - Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades from Narrabri to Moree, Narrabri Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Stoney Creek Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and Narrabri Place Strategy.

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

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Employment conditions in Narrabri Surrounds rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Narrabri Surrounds has a balanced workforce with equal representation of white and blue collar jobs. It has an unemployment rate of 1.8% and experienced 4.9% employment growth in the past year.

As of June 2025, 2,800 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9%, below Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation is 58.6%, close to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing dominate with a share 7.2 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 10.2% compared to Rest of NSW's 16.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over June 2024 to June 2025, employment increased by 4.9%, labour force grew by 4.1%, reducing unemployment by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contraction of 0.1% and unemployment rise by 0.4%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Narrabri Surrounds' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.8% over five years and 11.0% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that median income in Narrabri Surrounds is $48,952 and average income is $58,059. This is lower than the national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average) for Rest of NSW. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $55,125 (median) and $65,380 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, income ranks modestly in Narrabri Surrounds, between the 32nd and 34th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The largest segment comprises 30.4% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,365 residents), similar to the regional average of 29.9%. Housing costs consume 90.7% of income, with disposable income ranking below average at the 39th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure in Narrabri Surrounds, as evaluated at the Census conducted on 9 August 2016, comprised 95.2% houses and 4.8% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 87.8% houses and 12.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Narrabri Surrounds was 42.7%, with the remainder either mortgaged (30.1%) or rented (27.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,148, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $1,300 and Australia's $1,863. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $200, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $220 and Australia's $375.

Narrabri Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 71.2 percent of all households, including 29.9 percent couples with children, 30.2 percent couples without children, and 10.5 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 28.8 percent, with lone person households at 25.8 percent and group households making up 2.6 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which matches the average for the Rest of NSW.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.4%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (29.5%).

Educational participation is high, with 35.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.7% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education. There are 9 schools operating within Narrabri Surrounds, educating approximately 540 students. The educational mix includes 6 primary, 2 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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

Narrabri Surrounds has 151 active public transport stops. These include both train and bus services. There are 38 individual routes operating in total.

Together, these routes facilitate 355 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents to the nearest transport stop is 328 meters. On average, there are 50 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately two weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Narrabri Surrounds is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Narrabri Surrounds faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 49% of its total population (~2,196 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma (impacting 10.3% of residents) and arthritis (9.6%), while 65.1% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 66.7% across Rest of NSW. The area has 19.6% of residents aged 65 and over (882 people).

The latest Census data sees Narrabri Surrounds placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Narrabri Surrounds, as per a report, had low cultural diversity with 84.3% citizens, 95.5% born in Australia, and 98.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 70.2%, compared to 68.1% regionally. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (36.1%), English (29.0%), and Australian Aboriginal (10.3%).

Notably, Irish ancestry was higher at 8.7% than the regional average of 8.1%, while Korean ancestry was slightly higher at 0.2%.

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

Narrabri Surrounds has a median age of 41 years, which is lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 but exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 0-4 age group comprises 7.3% of its population, higher than the Rest of NSW figure, while the 75-84 cohort makes up 5.8%. According to data from the 2021 Census, Narrabri Surrounds' 15-24 age group grew from 11.0% to 13.1%, and the 0-4 cohort increased from 6.0% to 7.3%. Meanwhile, the 55-64 cohort decreased from 16.5% to 13.5%. Demographic projections indicate significant changes in Narrabri Surrounds' age profile by 2041. The 25-34 cohort is expected to grow by 29%, adding 130 residents and reaching a total of 574. Conversely, populations in the 5-14 and 55-64 cohorts are projected to decline.