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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Orange is $715k, with units at $510k. House values have moved 4.1% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Orange has an estimated 19,217 residents, up from 19,023 at the 2021 Census — a change of 194 people, or 1.0%. 376 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 425 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to analysis from AreaSearch, the resident count in Orange stands at approximately 19,217 as of Aug 2026, marking a gain of 194 people (1.0%) over the 19,023 people recorded at the 2021 Census. This adjustment draws on an ABS estimated resident population figure of 19,154 as of June 2025 alongside 376 validated new addresses logged following the Census date. With a density of 424 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers ample room per resident and opportunities for future expansion. The post-census expansion of 1.0% places Orange within 1.3 percentage points of the wider SA4 region (2.3%), indicating solid growth dynamics.
Recent population increases have been predominantly generated by overseas migration, acting as the primary contributor to local expansion. Demographic modelling from AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 units, published in 2024 with 2022 serving as the base year, while drawing upon NSW State Government SA2 figures released in 2022 using 2021 as the baseline for unlisted areas. Furthermore, age-specific growth trajectories derived from these datasets extend across all locations for the years 2032 to 2041. Under this framework, future trends point toward an overall population decrease of 364 persons by 2041. In contrast, select demographic brackets are slated to expand, foremost among them the 25 to 34 age group, which is forecasted to add 334 people. Additional details are outlined in the age section.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
251 new dwellings have been approved in Orange over the past five years, an average of 50 a year. That is 2.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 49 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 78% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Orange have run at roughly 50 dwellings annually, accumulating to 251 homes across the past 5 financial years. With an average of just 0.1 new residents per year per dwelling built during the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), housing supply is keeping pace with or exceeding local demand, expanding options for purchasers and facilitating higher-than-anticipated growth potential. Newly constructed dwellings carry an average construction cost of $488,000. Additionally, commercial development approvals reached $67.6 million this financial year, highlighting strong investment across the local business sector.
Relative to Rest of NSW, building activity per capita in Orange stands at about 60% and ranks within the 51st percentile across the nation, despite recent upticks in building work. This output also trails national rates, signaling established market conditions and potential planning or development limitations. Detached houses account for 78.0% of recent construction while medium and high-density housing makes up 22.0%, maintaining a low-density character that appeals to purchasers seeking spacious living. With roughly 289 people per dwelling approval, the area continues to operate as a low-density housing market. Because population numbers are projected to hold steady or diminish, housing demand pressure across Orange is likely to ease, presenting favorable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Orange
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Orange, worth an estimated $903 million. A further 93 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $26.3 billion. 29 are already under construction and 41 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local growth and functionality are significantly shaped by infrastructure upgrades, development initiatives, and capital works. AreaSearch has pinpointed 18 projects positioned to influence the locality, prominently featuring the Orange FutureCity CBD Redevelopment, Redmond Place Precinct, Alchemy Orange, and Ophir Car Park Redevelopment, with key details provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Orange FutureCity CBD Redevelopment
A long-term revitalisation program for the Orange Central Business District, developed by Orange City Council and urban designers SJB. The project delivers staged upgrades to key streets and public spaces, featuring new tree planting, green infrastructure, pedestrian-friendly traffic calming, 40 km/h speed limits, and public art. Major milestones include the transformation of Lords Place South into a pedestrian-focused precinct with outdoor dining and the integration of Stratavault tree-cell technology to enhance urban cooling and stormwater management.
Orange Health Service Redevelopment
A major expansion and enhancement of the Orange Health Service. Recent milestones include the completion of the World Class End of Life Care expansion in March 2026, which added three dedicated palliative care bedrooms, support spaces, and a landscaped courtyard. The site also features a 1.6MW solar array, completed in late 2023, which generates approximately 22% of the facility's electricity. These works complement the original $261 million redevelopment of the Bloomfield Campus that delivered a new general hospital and mental health services.
Ophir Car Park Redevelopment
Modernization and expansion of public parking facilities in Orange CBD area, improving accessibility and capacity for the growing city center.
Redleaf
Landcom and Orange City Council's joint project, formerly Redmond Place, renamed to Redleaf. It is the first project finalised under the NSW Government's Social and Affordable Housing Rezoning Pathway. Unlocking 25 hectares of land at Orange's eastern entrance to deliver 330 homes with at least 20 percent affordable housing. Features a mix of single dwellings, duplexes, townhouses, and low-rise apartments, interwoven with over 5 hectares of open space including parks and a southern wetland.
103 Prince Street Development
Approved redevelopment of the former Orange Base Hospital site comprising a six-storey residential building with 60 apartments, 16 two-storey townhouses and a new public park. The development was approved in 2023, however MAAS Group withdrew from the project in 2025 following cost escalation. As of the latest available information the site is expected to be sold to a new developer and construction has not commenced.
Torulosa Rise
Orange's newest family estate featuring 33 residential land lots. Conveniently located 5 minutes from the city centre with registered land ready for immediate construction. Development offers modern city facilities combined with relaxed regional living at affordable prices.
Orange Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade
An $8 million expansion and upgrade of Orange City Council's Sewage Treatment Plant designed to meet the future needs of a growing city. The project replaced equipment at the inlet side of the plant, upgrading filtering screens from the 1990s with current filters that remove finer levels of waste. The new equipment is more energy efficient with expected annual savings of around $30,000. The upgrade improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the whole treatment cycle and enables the plant to handle greater peak volumes of wastewater during heavy rain events.
Department of Primary Industries Head Office
New state-of-the-art headquarters for NSW Department of Primary Industries in the Ian Armstrong Building, consolidating multiple government departments and providing modern, sustainable workspace for 790 staff.
9,475 residents of Orange are employed, from a labour force of 9,927. Unemployment sits at 4.6%, with participation at 63.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 23,205, about 121% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour pool in Orange is well-qualified, featuring strong representation across essential services and an unemployment rate of 4.6%. Employed residents numbered 9,475 as of March 2026, with local unemployment running 0.4% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%. Labour force participation is typical at 63.8%, compared with 60.6% across Regional NSW. Furthermore, Census data revealed that only 10.8% of workers worked from home, a figure potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown conditions. Local jobs are heavily centered around health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.
In particular, health care & social assistance represents a notable regional specialization, capturing an employment share 1.3 times the broader regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for a smaller footprint at 2.3% of employment, versus 5.3% regionally. A local job density of 0.9 workers for each resident recorded at the Census demonstrates a strong base of local employment. An evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that during the 12 months to March 2026, the local workforce contracted by 1.3% and total employment fell by 2.2%, pushing the unemployment rate up by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced an employment drop of 0.9%, a labour force contraction of 0.4%, and an unemployment rate rise of 0.5 percentage points. Broader hiring prospects can be assessed using national projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 across five- and ten-year horizons, applied to Orange's existing industrial makeup. While overall Australian employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years with notable sector variances, applying these weightings to Orange implies local job expansions of 6.6% over five years and 14.0% over ten years (note that this represents a simple weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes without adjusting for localized demographic shifts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Orange is $1,342 a week (about $70,000 a year), with median personal income at $742 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $50,913 a year against an average of $64,768. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's release of postcode-level ATO records for financial year 2023, taxable incomes across the Orange SA2 register a median of $50,913 and an average of $64,768, falling below national standards and trailing the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Factoring in Wage Price Index increases of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated figures as of March 2026 are estimated at approximately $56,167 for the median and $71,452 for the average. Findings from the 2021 Census place individual, family, and household earnings at moderate levels between the 23rd and 37th percentiles.
Weekly earnings between $1,500 - 2,999 form the largest bracket, capturing 29.0% of residents (5,572 people), which aligns with the broader regional figure of 29.9%. Meanwhile, shelter costs create pronounced financial strain, leaving only 84.2% of income uncommitted and placing the area in the 24th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Orange had 7,577 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 82% detached houses and 4% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 38% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,510 a month. Rent absorbs 22.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, the residential composition of Orange consisted of 81.5% standalone houses and 18.6% alternative dwelling types including semi-detached residences and apartments, versus 82.6% houses and 17.4% other structures in Regional NSW. Outright home ownership in Orange stood lower than the Regional NSW level at 33.8%, with remaining properties distributed between mortgaged households (28.2%) and tenant-occupied rentals (38.0%). Typical housing costs were notably moderate: median monthly mortgage payments sat at $1,510 compared to $1,733 across Regional NSW and the nationwide average of $1,863, while median weekly rent was $300, well underneath the Regional NSW level of $330 and the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Orange counted 7,577 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 81% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 36% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the majority of local living arrangements at 60.1%, broken down into couples without children (24.2%), couples with children (21.8%), and single parent households (12.8%). The remaining 39.9% consist of non-family living situations, predominantly single-occupant homes at 36.4% alongside group households at 3.5%. With a median household size of 2.2 people, occupancy runs slightly below the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
23.6% of adults in Orange hold a university qualification, including 16.3% with a bachelor degree and 5.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 26.2% hold a vocational qualification. 14 schools serve the area, with 7,191 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 957 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education attainment among Orange residents aged 15+ falls behind state figures, with 23.6% possessing tertiary degrees compared with 32.2% across NSW, pointing to scope for further educational and workforce upskilling. By specific award level, bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 16.3%, with postgraduate qualifications at 5.1% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Vocational education is strongly represented, as 36.3% of individuals aged 15+ hold technical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (26.2%). Formal study rates are substantial, with 29.5% of the local population engaged in schooling or coursework.
Specifically, 10.4% attend primary school, 9.0% are enrolled in secondary education, and 3.3% are engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Orange reaches 447 stops on 106 routes, timetabled for about 2,200 services a week. The typical home sits about 110 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.1 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The public transit network in Orange contains 447 operational stops encompassing bus and rail services, which are supported by 106 separate routes that deliver 2,212 weekly passenger trips. Network proximity is strong, with typical walking distances to the closest transit stop measuring 112 meters. Outward commuting characterizes this largely residential area, where vehicle travel accounts for 91% of trips and 5% of commuters travel on foot. Motor vehicle holdings average 1.1 per dwelling, coming in below the regional norm, while only 10.8% of the workforce worked from home at the 2021 Census (a proportion that may reflect COVID-19 conditions).
Transit services operate at an average rate of 316 trips per day network-wide, translating to roughly 4 weekly trips per stop. The 100 nearest stops to the central point of the area are depicted on the provided map.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
60.7% of residents in Orange report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 7.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
An examination of mortality figures and chronic illness data by AreaSearch highlights significant health hurdles in Orange, with widespread health ailments observed across both older and younger demographics. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage remains moderate, covering roughly 51% of the total population (~9,839 people). Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 11.8 and 9.9% of residents, respectively, whereas 60.7% of residents reported having no diagnosed conditions compared with 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age individuals record comparatively elevated levels of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over constitute 21.7% of the community (4,162 people), slightly under the 23.3% recorded for Regional NSW, with senior health indicators showing moderate challenges that track overall national standings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Orange is largely Australian-born, at 89.1% of residents, with 6.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (30.8%) and English (29.9%). 5.9% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics in Orange trend below national averages, with Australian citizens making up 89.1% of the community, 89.1% of residents born in Australia, and 93.3% speaking English exclusively within the home. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation, observed by 59.9% of people in Orange compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Based on parental country of birth, the primary ancestry groups reported in Orange are Australian at 30.8%, English at 29.9%, and Irish at 9.7%. Several other ethnic backgrounds display distinct representation levels relative to the broader area: Australian Aboriginal heritage is comparatively pronounced at 5.9% in Orange (vs 4.6% regionally), while Scottish stands at 7.8% (vs 8.0%) and Russian accounts for 0.3% (vs 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Orange is 40. 25.9% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age demographics in Orange align closely with Regional NSW across all major age segments, with the largest variance across the four broad tiers measuring 2.9 percentage points. AreaSearch assesses the median age at 40 as at August 2026, matching the level observed in the 2021 Census and sitting 3 years under the Regional NSW median of 43 from that Census. Following the Census, middle-aged residents and early retirees (45 - 64) decreased from 22.6% of the population to an estimated 20.9%. Looking toward 2041, the strongest cohort expansion is anticipated among young to middle-aged adults (25 - 44), gaining 367 residents (7%) to reach 5,404, while youth, young adults, and older working/retiree groups are expected to experience declines.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Orange
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 3 months ago all 10 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 376 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (19,023 at the 2021 Census → 19,217 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (103041077). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.