Parkes Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Parkes Surrounds' population is approximately 3,106 as of August 2025. This marks a decrease of 156 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,262. The change is inferred from ABS estimates: 3,094 in June 2024 and an additional 2 validated new addresses since August 2021. The population density ratio is 0.60 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.8% of overall population gains recently.

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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, 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. Future population dynamics suggest an increase just below the median for locations outside capital cities, with Parkes Surrounds expected to increase by 265 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, representing an 8.1% total increase over 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Parkes Surrounds is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Parkes Surrounds has received approximately four dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis. Between FY20 and FY25, around 20 dwellings were approved, with one approval so far in FY26. Despite population decline, the area's development activity has been adequate relative to demand, maintaining a balanced housing market with good buyer choice.

The average construction cost of new homes is $565,000, higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development. In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $17.9 million, indicating balanced commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Parkes Surrounds shows significantly reduced construction levels (77.0% below average per person), supporting stronger demand and values for established properties. Building activity is primarily detached houses, preserving the area's traditional low-density character. As of 2021, there are approximately 2326 people per dwelling approval in Parkes Surrounds.

Population forecasts suggest a gain of 251 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, intensifying buyer competition and potentially driving price growth.

Parkes Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 26thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 28 projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include Ridgey Creek Battery Energy Storage System, Stevens Group BP Highway Service Centre - Northern Gateway, Parkes Hospital (Lachlan Health Service), and Parkes National Logistics Hub Infrastructure Extension. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.9%, Parkes Surrounds has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Parkes Surrounds has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation, an unemployment rate of 3.9% as of June 2025. In this period, 1,560 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate 0.3% higher than Rest of NSW's 3.7%.

Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW at 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share six times the regional level. Construction's presence is limited at 3.7% compared to 9.7% regionally.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force decreased by 2.6%, employment declined by 4.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.5 percentage points. Rest of NSW recorded employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National unemployment rate is 4.5%, with national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts from May 2025 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary between sectors. Applying these projections to Parkes Surrounds' employment mix indicates local growth of approximately 4.9% over five years and 11.4% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Parkes Surrounds' median income among taxpayers was $41,721 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $50,962. These figures compare to the Rest of NSW's median and average incomes of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. By March 2025, estimates suggest median and average incomes will be approximately $46,143 and $56,364, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Parkes Surrounds fall between the 14th and 15th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 27.3% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, consistent with metropolitan trends showing 29.9% in the same category. Housing costs are modest, allowing for retention of 91.1% of income. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 21st percentile nationally.

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

Parkes Surrounds had 95.5% houses and 4.5% other dwellings as per the latest Census. Non-Metro NSW had 92.0% houses and 8.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Parkes Surrounds was 50.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.9% and rented ones at 22.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,200. Median weekly rent in Parkes Surrounds was $180, compared to $220 in Non-Metro NSW. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,863 and rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households compose 66.8% of all households, including 25.2% couples with children, 28.6% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.2%, with lone person households at 31.0% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 16.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (0.9%). Vocational skills are prominent, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding credentials – advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (31.8%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 13.1% in primary, 9.4% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education. Parkes Surrounds has five schools with a combined enrollment of 300 students, demonstrating varied educational conditions across the area. The educational mix includes three primary and two K-12 schools. School places per 100 residents (9.6) are below the regional average (16.0), indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Parkes Surrounds has 309 active public transport stops. These are a mix of train and bus services. There are 34 individual routes operating in total, providing 342 weekly passenger trips combined.

Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 190 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 48 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Parkes Surrounds faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 46% of the total population (~1,441 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.0%) and asthma (9.3%), while 63.4% reported being free from medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW's 62.4%. As of 2021, 22.9% (~711 people) were aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging but better than those of the general population in health metrics.

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

Parkes Surrounds, found to have lower cultural diversity than average, has 88.7% of its population as citizens, 95.1% born in Australia, and 97.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 72.2%, compared to 70.4% regionally. Ancestry-wise, Australian (34.2%), English (30.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (10.8%) are the top three groups.

Notably, German ethnicity is overrepresented at 3.6% versus regional 3.0%, Lebanese at 0.2% versus 0.1%, and Irish at 7.8% versus 8.9%.

Parkes Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Parkes Surrounds' median age of 44 years is similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, Parkes Surrounds has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (14.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.6%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 35-44 has grown from 10.1% to 12.3%, while the 75-84 age group increased from 6.4% to 7.9%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group declined from 9.4% to 7.6%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 13.4% to 11.9%. By 2041, Parkes Surrounds is expected to see significant shifts in its age composition, with the 75-84 group growing by 29 people (29%) to reach 315 from 244. Meanwhile, the 65-74 and 55-64 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.