Orange

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

Orange's population is around 19,538 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 515 people (2.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,023 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 19,173 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 330 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 431 persons per square kilometer. Orange's 2.7% growth since census positions it within 0.2 percentage points of the SA4 region (2.9%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 89.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the area's population expected to reduce by 284 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 25 to 34 age group, which is projected to expand by 407 people.

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

Orange averaged approximately 54 new dwelling approvals annually. From FY-21 to FY-25271 homes were approved, with an additional 20 approved in FY-26 as of the current date. Despite population decline, housing supply has been adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average value for new homes under construction is $540,000. In FY-26, $67.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Rest of NSW, Orange records about 62% of the building activity per person. Nationally, it ranks at the 42nd percentile for areas assessed, suggesting more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties.

This activity is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity consists of 77.0% detached houses and 23.0% attached dwellings, maintaining Orange's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 404 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Orange should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers in the future.

Orange has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure can significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects that may impact the area. Key projects include Orange FutureCity CBD Redevelopment, Redmond Place Precinct, Alchemy Orange, and Ophir Car Park Redevelopment. The following list details those likely to be 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.

The employment landscape in Orange presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.5%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Orange has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.5%.

As of June 2025, there are 9,643 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Orange is similar to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Orange has a particular specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 2.3% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. The ratio of 0.9 workers per resident indicates substantial local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Orange's labour force decreased by 2.2%, employment decreased by 3.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1%, labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Nov-25 shows NSW's employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Orange's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The Orange SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $48,926 and an average income of $61,423 in financial year 2022, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of NSW having a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998 during the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest that the median income would be approximately $55,096 and the average income around $69,168, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census figures indicate that household, family, and personal incomes in Orange rank modestly, between the 23rd and 37th percentiles. In terms of income distribution, 29.0% of locals (5,666 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, which is consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 29.9% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Orange, with only 84.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 24th percentile.

Orange is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Orange's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 81.5% houses and 18.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 88.7% houses and 11.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Orange was at 33.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.2% and rented ones at 38.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Orange was $1,510, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,700. The median weekly rent figure in Orange was $300, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $315. Nationally, Orange's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,510 compared to the Australian average of $1,863. Rents in Orange were substantially below the national figure of $375 at $300.

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

Family households constitute 60.1% of all households, including 21.8% couples with children, 24.2% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 39.9%, with lone person households at 36.4% and group households at 3.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Orange fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Orange trail residents aged 15 and above have a university degree qualification rate of 23.6%, compared to NSW's 32.2%. This indicates potential for educational development and skills enhancement in the region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (26.2%), are held by 36.3% of residents aged 15 and above.

Educational participation is high, with 29.5% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (10.4%), secondary education (9.0%), and tertiary education (3.3%).

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

Orange has 416 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 104 individual routes, facilitating 2,324 weekly passenger trips in total. The city's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average located 113 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 332 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately five weekly trips per stop.

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

Orange faces significant health challenges, as indicated by data showing high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 51% (~9,886 people) have private health cover, lower than the Rest of NSW's 53.9%.

Mental health issues affect 11.8% and arthritis impacts 9.9% of residents. However, 60.7% report no medical ailments, compared to 65.4% in the Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.6% (4,224 people), compared to 18.7% in the Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors show challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

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

Orange's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.1% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home. The predominant religion in Orange is Christianity, comprising 59.9%, compared to 63.1% across the Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (30.8%), English (29.9%), and Irish (9.7%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal people are overrepresented at 5.9% in Orange versus 4.9% regionally, while Russian (0.3%) and Scottish (7.8%) populations show minor divergences from their respective regional percentages of 0.2% and 7.6%.

Orange's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Orange is 39 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 but essentially aligns with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Orange has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (14.0%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (10.7%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 increased from 11.5% to 12.7%, while the proportion of those aged 55-64 decreased from 11.7% to 10.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Orange's age structure. The 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 11% (304 people), reaching a total of 3,040 from the current figure of 2,735. Conversely, the populations aged 5-14 and 15-24 are projected to decline.