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, as of August 2025, is approximately 5,012 people. This figure represents an increase of 178 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,834 people. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,923 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 is higher than the SA4 region's growth rate of 2.7%, indicating it as a growth leader in the area. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during this period.

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 utilizes 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 per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 102 homes were approved, with an additional 8 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 0.4 people have moved to the area each year for every dwelling built during these five financial years.

This indicates that new supply has been keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new dwellings is around $601,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction. In terms of commercial development, approximately $4.7 million in approvals have been registered this financial year, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature.

Compared to the Rest of NSW, Oberon maintains similar development levels per person, indicating a balanced market consistent with the broader region. The new development consists of 89% detached dwellings and 11% attached dwellings, preserving the area's traditional low density character and focusing on family homes that appeal to those seeking space. With approximately 258 people per dwelling approval, Oberon indicates a low density market. Looking ahead, Oberon is projected to grow by around 80 residents by the year 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing 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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Bracken Estate, Oberon, Yetholme Village Plan, Mount Lambie Wind Farm, and McKanes Bridge Upgrade. 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.

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

Oberon has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 1.3% as of June 2025. There are 2,581 residents employed, with the unemployment rate being 2.3% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation is somewhat lower at 53.4%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries include manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing has a particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 3.4 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance, however, has limited presence with 10.2% employment compared to 16.9% regionally.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, labour force decreased by 2.7% and employment declined by 3.1%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. This compares to 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 a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Oberon's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.7% over five years and 11.1% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The latest postcode level ATO data from AreaSearch 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. In contrast, Rest of NSW's figures are 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 for Oberon as of September 2025 would be approximately $57,267 (median) and $67,843 (average). Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes all rank modestly in Oberon, between the 27th and 35th percentiles. Distribution data shows that the largest segment comprises 31.4% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,573 residents), which is similar to the regional pattern where 29.9% occupy this range. Housing costs are manageable with 87.2% retained, however 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

The dwelling structure in Oberon, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.5% houses and 6.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 86.1% houses and 13.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Oberon stood at 44.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.6% and rented ones at 23.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Oberon was $280, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $315. Nationally, Oberon's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 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 constitute 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 account for 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, which is 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's university qualification rate is 16.6%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (33.6%). Educational participation is high at 30.4%, with 12.6% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Oberon's four 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 than the regional average at 10.6, with some students likely attending schools in nearby 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 the transport system is rated as good, with residents typically located 307 meters from their nearest stop.

On average, there are 33 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 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

Oberon faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately half (50%) of Oberon's total population (~2,480 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.6% of residents) and asthma (8.5%), while 62.8% report no medical ailments, slightly less than Rest of NSW's 63.5%. Oberon has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.9% (1,347 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 19.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Oberon are strong, outperforming the general population in 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, assessed for cultural diversity, had 82.4% citizens, 87.4% born in Australia, and 94.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 65.8%, compared to 61.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.5%), Australian (30.4%), and Irish (11.7%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher in Oberon at 3.5% versus 4.6% regionally, Maltese at 0.5% versus 0.4%, and Hungarian at 0.3% versus 0.2%.

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

Oberon's median age in 2021 was 48 years, 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-old group constituted 9.9% of Oberon's population, while the 25-34 year-old group made up 9.8%. Post-2021 Census data indicated that the 75 to 84 age group grew from 8.4% to 9.9%, while the 65 to 74 age group declined from 15.7% to 13.9%, and the 5 to 14 age group decreased 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 expand from 153 to 240 people, an increase of 86 people (56%). Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 55-64 age cohorts.