Orange - North
Statistical Area - sa2

Orange - North lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Orange - North's population is approximately 23,964 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,069 individuals (4.7%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 22,895 people. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 23,859 in June 2024 and the validation of 464 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 240 persons per square kilometer, indicating ample space per person and potential for further development. Orange - North's growth rate of 4.7% between the 2021 Census and August 2025 exceeded both the SA4 region (2.7%) and the SA3 area, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 60.7% of total population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is employing 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. By 2041, Orange - North is projected to increase its population by 6,128 persons, representing a total increase of 25.1% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Orange - North among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Orange North has received approximately 123 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis. Between FY21 and FY25, around 619 homes gained approval, with 14 more approved in FY26 so far. On average, each dwelling accommodates about 2.5 new residents per year over the past five financial years, indicating steady demand that supports property values.

The average construction cost of new homes is $547,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development. This financial year has seen $36.9 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting strong local business investment. Comparatively, Orange North shows moderately higher new home approvals than the rest of NSW, with 19.0% more approvals per person over the past five years.

This maintains reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. The area's development consists predominantly of standalone homes (92.0%) and a smaller proportion of attached dwellings (8.0%), preserving its traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes. With around 328 people per approval, Orange North reflects a low-density area. Future projections estimate an addition of 6,020 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Orange - North has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Rosedale Gardens Estate, Bingara Gardens Seniors Housing, Torulosa Rise, and Orange Future City CBD Redevelopment. Below is a list detailing those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment conditions in Orange - North demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Orange - North has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 1.6% as of June 2025. There are 13,519 residents employed, with an unemployment rate 2.1% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation is higher at 67.5%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Employment specialization in mining is high, with a share 2.8 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1.7% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.2% and employment declined by 2.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW had an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and an unemployment increase of 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.3%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.5% and national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with local growth estimates for Orange - North being approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.9% over ten years based on industry-specific projections.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows income in Orange - North is among the highest in Australia, with a median of $61,322 and an average of $76,986. In contrast, Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $67,822 (median) and $85,147 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in Orange - North are around the 68th percentile nationally. Distribution shows that 35.3% of residents (8,459 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, similar to the surrounding region at 29.9%. After housing expenses, 86.0% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Orange - North's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.4% houses and 9.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 88.7% houses and 11.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Orange - North stood at 29.1%, with the rest being mortgaged (40.3%) or rented (30.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,777, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,700. The median weekly rent was $375, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $315. Nationally, Orange - North's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were comparable at $375.

Orange - North has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 74.6% of all households, including 35.1% couples with children, 26.9% couples without children, and 11.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 25.4%, with lone person households making up 22.4% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Orange - North aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Orange - North trail regional benchmarks with 25.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 32.2% in NSW. Bachelor degrees lead at 17.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Trade and technical skills feature prominently with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 10.6% and certificates at 28.0%. Educational participation is high with 32.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.5% in primary, 8.7% in secondary, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Orange - North's 3 schools have combined enrollment reaching 1,323 students while demonstrating typical Australian school conditions with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 1 primary and 2 K-12 schools. Limited local school capacity at 5.5 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.9 means many families travel to nearby areas for schooling.

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

The analysis of public transportation in Orange - North indicates that there are 428 active transport stops currently operating. These stops offer a variety of bus services, which are served by 66 individual routes. In total, these routes provide 1,174 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility to public transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located an average of 136 meters from the nearest stop. The service frequency averages at 167 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.

Orange - North's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Orange - North's health metrics are close to national benchmarks. Common health conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 58% of the total population (13,851 people), compared to 53.9% across Rest of NSW. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 9.9 and 9.1% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 67.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.4% across Rest of NSW. The area has 14.6% of residents aged 65 and over (3,491 people), which is lower than the 18.7% in Rest of NSW. This is broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Orange - North ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Orange North was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 88.2% of its population born in Australia, 90.7% being citizens, and 91.2% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Orange North is Christianity, which comprises 62.5% of the population, compared to 63.1% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups in Orange North are Australian (30.6%), English (29.6%), and Irish (8.8%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation is higher at 5.3% in Orange North versus 4.9% regionally, while Russian stands at 0.3% compared to 0.2%, and New Zealand at 0.6% compared to 0.5%.

Orange - North hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

The median age of Orange - North is 34, which is lower than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and Australia's figure of 38. The percentage of the population aged 25-34 in Orange - North is notably higher at 15.1% compared to the Rest of NSW average, while those aged 65-74 are under-represented at 7.8%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of the population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 14.2% to 15.1%, while the percentage of those aged 5 to 14 has declined from 16.1% to 14.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Orange - North's age profile. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to expand by 1,287 people (36%), growing from 3,613 to 4,901. Meanwhile, the 15-24 age cohort is expected to grow modestly by 212 people (7%).