Port Macquarie - South

An assessment of population growth drivers in Port Macquarie - South reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Port Macquarie - South's population was around 17,593 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 309 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,284. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 17,461 in June 2024 and an additional 120 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 502 persons per square kilometer. Port Macquarie - South's 1.8% growth since census compares with the SA4 region's 4.7%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 54.1% 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, 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. Based on demographic trends and latest annual ERP population numbers, the area is expected to increase by approximately 1,468 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of 7.6% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Port Macquarie - South, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Port Macquarie - South has seen approximately 39 new home approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 198 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, 13 approvals have been recorded to date. On average, one new resident arrives per year for each new home approved between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand in the market with stable conditions. The average construction value of new properties is $355,000.

This financial year has seen $2.4 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting the residential character of the area. Compared to the rest of NSW, Port Macquarie - South has significantly less development activity, 71.0% below the regional average per person, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This lower-than-average national activity suggests maturity and possible planning constraints in the area. Recent construction comprises 78.0% detached houses and 22.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 758 people, reflecting a quiet development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Port Macquarie - South will gain 1,335 residents by 2041. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Port Macquarie - South has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Ocean Estate Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie Base Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2, Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility, and Hastings Residences Port Macquarie. The following list details those 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Port Macquarie - South well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Port Macquarie - South has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. As of September 2025, its unemployment rate is 2.2%.

Over the past year, it has maintained relative employment stability. By September 2025, 8,192 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.7% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%, and workforce participation is somewhat lower at 52.8%. The leading employment industries among residents comprise health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Notably, health care & social assistance employs 1.3 times the regional average.

In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.4% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force increased by 0.2% while employment declined by 0.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced an employment decline of 0.5% and a labour force decline of 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. To provide broader context, state-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer further insight into potential future demand within Port Macquarie - South. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggest national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Port Macquarie - South's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not take into account localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Port Macquarie - South SA2 had lower income levels than the national average based on latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Its median income among taxpayers was $46,603 and average income stood at $61,152. These figures compared to Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998 respectively. As of September 2025, current estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% would be approximately $52,480 (median) and $68,863 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, incomes in Port Macquarie - South ranked modestly, between the 26th and 27th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income brackets showed that 28.2% of individuals earned $1,500 - $2,999, consistent with surrounding regions at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 84.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 27th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.

Port Macquarie - South is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Port Macquarie - South's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 80.0% houses and 20.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Macquarie - South stood at 47.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.2% and rented ones at 22.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,814, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent was $420, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $375. Nationally, Port Macquarie - South's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents substantially higher at $375.

Port Macquarie - South has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 71.1% of all households, including 26.2% couples with children, 33.8% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 28.9%, with lone person households at 26.3% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

The educational profile of Port Macquarie - South exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Port Macquarie show that 23.4% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to the state average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.6%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 39.6% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 12.0% and certificates at 27.6%. Educational participation is high, with 26.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.4% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 3.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Port Macquarie - South has 127 active public transport stops. These are served by 92 different bus routes that together provide 1,536 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from a resident's location to the nearest stop is 181 meters.

On average, there are 219 trips per day across all routes, which equates to about 12 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Port Macquarie-South faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% (~8796 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (11.7%) and mental health concerns (9.1%). Notably, 61.1% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 59.9%. The area has a senior population of 27.9% (4911 people), with seniors showing good health outcomes despite some challenges.

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

Port Macquarie-South, as per the 2016 Census, showed a lower level of cultural diversity with 85.7% of its population born in Australia, 93.2% being citizens, and 95.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 60.2% of the population, compared to 57.5% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.3%), Australian (29.1%), and Irish (10.3%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was slightly overrepresented at 8.5%, compared to 8.3% regionally, while Welsh was at 0.6% (vs 0.5%) and Dutch at 1.4% (vs 1.1%).

Port Macquarie - South hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Port Macquarie - South's median age is 48 years, notably higher than Rest of NSW's 43 and Australia's median of 38. The age profile indicates that those aged 75-84 are particularly prominent at 10.8%, while the 25-34 group is relatively smaller at 8.3%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 10.6% to 11.9% of the population, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 9.5% to 10.7%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 13.7% to 12.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, Port Macquarie - South's age profile will change significantly. The 35 to 44 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 637 people (30%) from 2,098 to 2,736. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 75 to 84 cohorts.