Parkes (NSW)

Parkes is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Parkes's population was approximately 11,052 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 133 people from the 2021 Census total of 10,919. The increase is inferred from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' estimated resident population of 11,026 in June 2024 and an additional 85 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 47 persons per square kilometer. Parkes's growth rate of 1.2% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA3 area at 0.4%, indicating it as a region leader in growth. Overseas migration contributed approximately 66.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 utilises 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 years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, the area is expected to increase by approximately 803 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 6.8% over the 17-year period.

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

Parkes has averaged approximately 43 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 215 homes. As of FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in the area, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. The average value of new homes being built is $367,000.

This year, $38.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to the rest of NSW, Parkes exhibits moderately higher building activity, with 38.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. New building activity comprises 64.0% detached dwellings and 36.0% medium and high-density housing, expanding the range of medium-density options and creating a mix of opportunities across price brackets.

This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 88.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. The location has approximately 293 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Parkes is expected to grow by 751 residents through to 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.

Parkes has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Parkes Special Activation Precinct, Parkes National Logistics Hub Infrastructure Extension, Middleton Urban Masterplan, and Parkes Arbour Shopping Centre Redevelopment. 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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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.6%, Parkes has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Parkes has a balanced workforce consisting of white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented in the area, with an unemployment rate of 3.6%.

As of September 2025, there were 5,648 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was similar to Rest of NSW at 56.4%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and mining. Mining is particularly prominent, with an employment share 3.9 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 13.2% compared to the regional average of 16.9%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by a decrease in labour force and employment over a 12-month period. During this time, labour force decreased by 3.6%, while employment declined by 5.0%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 1.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.5% and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 12.4% over ten years. Applying these projections to Parkes's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Parkes SA2's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $51,042. The average income stood at $63,490 during the same period. These figures compare to Rest of NSW's median and average incomes of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Parkes SA2 would be approximately $57,478 (median) and $71,496 (average) as of September 2025. According to census data, household, family, and personal incomes in Parkes rank modestly, between the 27th and 34th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 30.2% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, consistent with surrounding regions at 29.9%. Housing costs allow for retention of 86.8%, but disposable income is below average, ranking at the 31st percentile.

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

Parkes' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.5% houses and 11.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 92.0% houses and 8.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Parkes was at 34.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.1% and rented ones at 31.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,200. Median weekly rent in Parkes was recorded at $260, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $220. Nationally, Parkes' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 66.6% of all households, including 25.5% couples with children, 27.2% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.4%, with lone person households at 30.9% and group households comprising 2.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Parkes faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.3%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 8.1% and certificates at 31.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Parkes has 508 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 40 individual routes that collectively provide 613 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 125 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 87 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Parkes faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is held by approximately 51% of Parkes' total population (~5,658 people), slightly lower than the average SA2 area's rate of 48.3%, which applies to Rest of NSW. The most prevalent medical conditions in Parkes are arthritis and asthma, affecting 9.7% and 9.7% of residents respectively. However, 62.8% of residents report having no medical ailments, comparable to the 62.4% figure for Rest of NSW. Parkes has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.9%, with 2,199 people in this age group, compared to Rest of NSW's 23.8%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly mirroring the general population's health profile.

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

Parkes had a cultural diversity index below average, with 90.8% citizens, 93.5% born in Australia, and 95.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 68.2%, compared to 70.4% across Rest of NSW. Top ancestry groups were Australian (34%), English (31.1%), and Australian Aboriginal (9.1%).

Irish representation was notably higher in Parkes at 8% versus 8.9% regionally, French at 0.4% versus 0.3%, and South African at 0.3% versus 0.2%.

Parkes's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Parkes is 39 years, which is significantly lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 but closely aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Parkes has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (13.5%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (10.3%). According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 increased from 11.9% to 13.5%, while the proportion of residents aged 5-14 decreased from 14.2% to 13.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Parkes's age structure. The 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 23%, reaching 1,835 people from the current figure of 1,489. Conversely, the 65-74 and 55-64 age groups are projected to experience population declines.