Orange Surrounds

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

Orange Surrounds' population is around 12,291 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 461 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,830 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,138 from the ABS as of June 2025 and an additional 408 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2.7 persons per square kilometer. Orange Surrounds' growth of 3.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region's growth of 2.2%. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 44.1% 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 areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Orange Surrounds is expected to expand by 1,387 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 10.0% in total over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Orange Surrounds when compared nationally

Orange Surrounds has recorded approximately 71 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 356 homes were approved, with an additional 58 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 0.6 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five years.

This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current expectations. The average expected construction cost value of new properties is $415,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. In FY-26 alone, around $6.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating the area's primarily residential nature.

Compared to the rest of NSW, Orange Surrounds has seen slightly more development over the past five years, with 32.0% above the regional average per person. This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. The new building activity in Orange Surrounds shows that approximately 93.0% of dwellings are detached, with around 7.0% being medium or high-density housing. This maintains the area's traditional low density character and appeals to those seeking family homes with space. The population per dwelling approval is around 189, further indicating a low-density area. Population forecasts suggest that Orange Surrounds will gain approximately 1,234 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Orange Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 31 projects likely influencing the area. Notable projects include Molong Road Entrance Candidate Area, Torulosa Rise, North Corridor Candidate Area, and Bingara Gardens Seniors Housing. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The labour market strength in Orange Surrounds positions it well ahead of most Australian regions

Orange Surrounds has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 1.5% as of December 2025. It employs 7,012 residents, with an unemployment rate of 2.5% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is at 73.0%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%.

Based on Census responses, 18.3% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area has a strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 2.8 times the regional level. However, accommodation & food services are under-represented at 4.7% compared to Regional NSW's 7.8%.

The labour force decreased by 2.4% over a 12-month period ending in December 2025, with employment declining by 3.0%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Orange Surrounds's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.4% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The latest AreaSearch data for financial year 2023 shows that Orange Surrounds SA2 has incomes above the national average. The median income is $55,693 and the average is $71,291. This contrasts with Regional NSW's median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Based on a 10.32% increase since financial year 2023, current estimates are approximately $61,441 (median) and $78,648 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows that incomes in Orange Surrounds cluster around the 56th percentile nationally. The largest income segment is 31.3% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly, with 3,847 residents falling into this bracket. After housing costs, residents retain 88.8% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

As evaluated at the latest Census in Orange Surrounds, 93.8% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 6.3% being semi-detached apartments or other types of dwellings. This compares to Regional NSW's figures of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Orange Surrounds stood at 45.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.2% and rented ones at 14.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,773, exceeding Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Weekly rent in Orange Surrounds was $260, lower than Regional NSW's figure of $330. Nationally, Orange Surrounds' mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were substantially lower at $260 compared to the national figure of $375.

Orange Surrounds features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 77.5% of all households, including 35.2% couples with children, 34.1% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 22.5%, with lone person households at 21.4% and group households making up 1.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Orange Surrounds shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

Orange Surrounds has lower educational qualifications than the NSW average. Specifically, 23.8% of residents aged 15 and over hold university degrees, compared to 32.2% in NSW. The most common degree is Bachelor's at 16.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.9% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15 and over holding such qualifications.

Advanced diplomas account for 10.6% and certificates make up 29.7%. Educational participation is high in Orange Surrounds, with 31.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.5% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Orange Surrounds has 648 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by 91 individual routes, collectively providing 794 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents' homes to the nearest transport stop is 216 meters. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the primary mode of transportation at 94%, with 5% walking. On average, there are 2.1 vehicles per dwelling in Orange Surrounds, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 18.3% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 113 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop. A map accompanies this report, showing the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

The level of general health in Orange Surrounds is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Orange Surrounds shows superior health outcomes, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is high at approximately 54% of the total population (around 6,649 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.7% and 8.2% of residents respectively. 68.7% of residents report no medical ailments, higher than the 63.3% figure for Regional NSW. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are generally typical. The area has 21.8% of residents aged 65 and over (2,676 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Senior health outcomes are particularly strong, with national rankings higher than those of the general population.

The latest Census data sees Orange Surrounds placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Orange Surrounds, as per data from the Census of Population and Housing conducted on 9 August 2016, showed cultural diversity below average levels. Its population was predominantly Australian citizens, with 92.0% holding citizenship, and a majority having been born in Australia at 93.5%. The language spoken primarily at home was English, by 97.9% of the population.

Christianity emerged as the dominant religion, comprising 69.1% of Orange Surrounds' residents, compared to the regional average of 55.9%. Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were Australian (35.0%), English (31.9%), and Irish (9.8%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was slightly overrepresented at 8.3%, while Australian Aboriginal was underrepresented at 3.1% compared to regional averages of 8.0% and 4.6% respectively. The Maltese group showed no significant divergence from the regional average at 0.4%.

Orange Surrounds's median age exceeds the national pattern

Orange Surrounds has a median age of 43, matching Regional NSW's figure and exceeding the national average of 38. The age profile indicates that those aged 5-14 years are notably prominent at 14.2%, while the 25-34 group is relatively smaller at 8.3% compared to Regional NSW. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 6.0% to 7.8%, and the 15-24 cohort has risen from 11.0% to 12.2%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has decreased from 15.3% to 14.2%, and the 45-54 group has fallen from 13.9% to 12.8%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Orange Surrounds' age structure. The 75-84 group is expected to grow by 25%, adding 245 people and reaching 1,209 from the current 963. Meanwhile, numbers in the 15-24 age range are projected to decrease by 31%.