Narrabri Surrounds

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

Narrabri Surrounds' population is around 4,492 as of Nov 2025. This reflects a decrease from its 2021 Census figure of 4,616 people, a change inferred from the ABS's June 2024 estimated resident population of 4,607 and address validation since the Census date. The population density is 0.40 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 76.4% of 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 released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, Narrabri Surrounds is expected to grow by 278 persons to 2041, reflecting an 8.8% increase 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 an average of 2 dwelling approvals annually over the past five years (12 approvals total). 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. The area has an estimated population of 1345 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population forecasts indicate Narrabri Surrounds will gain 393 residents by 2041 (AreaSearch quarterly estimate).

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Narrabri Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely influencing the region. Notable projects include Newell Highway Upgrade - Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrades from Narrabri to Moree, Narrabri Solar Farm and BESS, Stoney Creek Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and Narrabri Place Strategy. 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.

Employment conditions in Narrabri Surrounds demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Narrabri Surrounds has a balanced workforce with representation across white and blue collar jobs. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.2%.

This represents an increase of 1.1% in employment over the past year. The unemployment rate in Narrabri Surrounds is 1.7% lower than that of Rest of NSW, which stands at 3.8%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW, at 58.6%. Key industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly strong, with an employment 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. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 1.1%, while labour force grew by 1.2%, keeping unemployment relatively stable. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw a decrease in employment and an increase in unemployment. Statewide, NSW's employment contracted by 0.03% between November 2024 and November 2025, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia projects 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 employment could increase by 4.8% over five years and 11.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows that Narrabri Surrounds SA2 had a median income of $48,952 and an average income of $58,059. This is lower than the national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average) for Rest of NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $55,125 (median) and $65,380 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Narrabri Surrounds ranks modestly for household, family, and personal incomes, between the 31st and 33rd percentiles. The largest income segment comprises 30.4% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,365 residents). Housing costs are manageable with 90.7% retained, but disposable income is 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 including semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's structure of 87.8% houses and 12.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Narrabri Surrounds stood at 42.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.1% and rented dwellings at 27.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,148, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,300. The median weekly rent figure for Narrabri Surrounds was recorded at $200, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $220. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Narrabri Surrounds were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 71.2% of all households, including 29.9% couples with children, 30.2% couples without children, and 10.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 28.8%, with lone person households at 25.8% and group households making up 2.6% 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%. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualified residents at 12.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including 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.

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

The public transport analysis indicates that there are currently 151 operational transport stops within the Narrabri Surrounds area. These stops offer a combination of train and bus services, with a total of 38 individual routes providing passenger trips. Each week, these routes facilitate approximately 355 passenger trips.

The accessibility of public transport in this region is deemed good, with residents typically residing around 328 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, across all routes, there are about 50 trips daily, which equates to roughly two weekly trips per individual 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% (~2,196 people) of its total population has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma (10.3%) and arthritis (9.6%). Around 65.1% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of NSW's 66.7%. About 19.6% (~882 people) of Narrabri Surrounds' population is aged 65 and over.

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 had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 84.3% being Australian citizens, 95.5% born in Australia, and 98.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 70.2%, compared to 68.1% across Rest of NSW. 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 stood at 0.2%, slightly above the regional figure of 0.1%.

Narrabri Surrounds's median age exceeds the national pattern

Narrabri Surrounds has a median age of 41 years, which is lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 but higher than the national average of 38. The 0-4 age group comprises 7.3%, compared to the Rest of NSW figure. The 75-84 cohort makes up 5.8%. Post-Census data from 2021 shows that the 15-24 age group grew from 11.0% to 13.1%, while the 0-4 cohort increased from 6.0% to 7.3%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 16.5% to 13.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Narrabri Surrounds' age profile. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 29%, adding 130 residents to reach 574. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 55-64 cohorts.