Oberon
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Oberon reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Oberon's population is approximately 5,014 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 180 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,834. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,925 in June 2024 and an additional 61 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.7 persons per square kilometer. Oberon's growth rate of 3.7% since the 2021 census exceeds the SA4 region's growth rate of 2.9%, positioning it as a growth leader within the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during this period.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 uses 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 demographic trends and latest population numbers, Oberon is expected to increase by approximately 248 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 1.6% over the 17-year period.

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

Oberon has seen approximately 20 new homes approved each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 102 homes were approved, with an additional 11 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 0.4 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five years, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand and providing ample buyer choice while supporting population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $498,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This year alone, $4.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting Oberon's primarily residential nature compared to other NSW areas like Rest of NSW, where development levels are similar and maintain market balance consistently. The new development consists predominantly of detached dwellings (89.0%) with a smaller proportion of attached dwellings (11.0%), preserving the area's traditional low-density character and appealing to those seeking spacious family homes.

With approximately 258 people per dwelling approval, Oberon indicates a low-density market. Looking ahead, Oberon is projected to grow by 78 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Oberon has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Eleven projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to impact the area. These include Bracken Estate, Oberon, Yetholme Village Plan, Mount Lambie Wind Farm, and McKanes Bridge Upgrade. The following details those expected to be most relevant.

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AreaSearch analysis places Oberon well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Oberon's workforce is skilled with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently represented. The unemployment rate was 1.3% as of June 2025.

There were 2,581 employed residents then, with an unemployment rate 2.3% below Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation was lower at 53.4%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment industries include manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing stands out with employment levels at 3.4 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance has a smaller presence at 10.2% versus the regional 16.9%. Some residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and May 2025, labour force decreased by 2.7%, employment declined by 3.1%, raising unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.1%, labour force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Oberon's growth could be around 4.7% in five years and 11.1% in ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Oberon has lower income compared to national averages. The median income is $50,854 and the average income stands at $60,246. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures: a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $57,267 (median) and $67,843 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Oberon rank modestly, between the 27th and 35th percentiles. Distribution data shows that the largest segment comprises 31.4% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,574 residents), which is similar to the regional pattern where 29.9% fall within this range. Housing costs are manageable with 87.2% retained, but disposable income sits below average at the 31st percentile.

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

Dwelling structure in Oberon, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 93.5% houses and 6.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 86.1% houses and 13.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Oberon was 44.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.6% and rented dwellings at 23.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Oberon was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in Oberon was recorded at $280, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $315. Nationally, Oberon's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Oberon features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 67.0% of all households, including 21.9% couples with children, 33.1% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 33.0%, with lone person households at 30.7% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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

The area has lower university qualification rates at 16.6%, compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 33.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.6% in primary, 8.6% in secondary, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education. Oberon's 4 schools have a combined enrollment of 530 students, serving distinct age groups with balanced educational opportunities (ICSEA: 951). School places per 100 residents are lower at 10.6 compared to the regional average of 16.8, suggesting some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Oberon has 170 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 21 different routes that together offer 235 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents living an average of 307 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 33 trips per day across all routes, which equates to roughly one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Health data indicates significant challenges for Oberon. Both younger and older age groups have high prevalence rates for common health conditions.

Approximately half of Oberon's total population (~2,481 people) has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 10.6% of residents) and asthma (8.5%). A majority, 62.8%, report being free from medical ailments, slightly lower than Rest of NSW's 63.5%. Oberon has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.9% (1,348 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 19.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Oberon are notably strong, surpassing those of the general population in various health metrics.

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

Oberon has a lower than average cultural diversity, with 82.4% of its population being citizens, 87.4% born in Australia, and 94.0% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion is Christianity, practiced by 65.8% of Oberon's population, compared to 61.6% across the Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are English (31.5%), Australian (30.4%), and Irish (11.7%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal people are overrepresented in Oberon at 3.5%, compared to 4.6% regionally. Similarly, Maltese and Hungarian populations are also slightly higher than the regional averages, at 0.5% and 0.3% respectively.

Oberon hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Oberon's median age was 48 years as of 2021 Census data, which is older than Rest of NSW's median age of 43 years and significantly higher than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age profile showed that the 75-84 year-olds made up 9.9% of Oberon's population, while the 25-34 year-olds comprised only 9.8%. Post-Census data indicated a growth in the 75 to 84 age group from 8.4% to 9.9%, a decline in the 65 to 74 cohort from 15.7% to 13.9%, and a decrease in the 5 to 14 year-olds from 12.0% to 10.9%. Demographic modeling suggests that Oberon's age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the 85+ age cohort projected to increase considerably from 153 to 240 people (an 86 person increase and a 56% growth). Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 55-64 age cohorts.