Port Macquarie Surrounds

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

Port Macquarie Surrounds' population is approximately 5,391 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 90 people (1.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,301. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,296 in June 2024 and an additional 91 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.3% 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 the years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median for locations outside capital cities. The area is expected to expand by 261 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 3.1% in total over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Port Macquarie Surrounds granted approval for approximately 15 residential properties per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, 76 homes were approved, with 11 more approved in FY-26 so far. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $557,000, slightly above the regional average. In FY-26, $572,000 worth of commercial development approvals were recorded, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Port Macquarie Surrounds has significantly less development activity, with 64.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 376 people. By 2041, Port Macquarie Surrounds is expected to grow by 166 residents. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth.

Port Macquarie Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 36 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones are Beechwood Road Upgrade Stage 6 including Steels Bridge Wauchope, The Sanctuary Port Macquarie, Sovereign Hills Master Planned Community, and Thrumster Business Park. Below is a list of most relevant projects.

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 assessment positions Port Macquarie Surrounds ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Port Macquarie Surrounds has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.8%.

Over the past year, employment stability has been relatively consistent. There are 2,783 residents employed, with an unemployment rate 0.8% lower than Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has notably high employment levels at 3.3 times the regional average. In contrast, accommodation & food employs only 4.9% of local workers compared to Rest of NSW's 7.8%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data comparison. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 0.1% while labour force grew by 0.7%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.5 percentage points. Meanwhile, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. State-level data up to Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Macquarie Surrounds' employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

The Port Macquarie Surrounds SA2 had lower than average incomes nationally in financial year 2022. Its median income was $42,365 and average income stood at $53,425, compared to Rest of NSW's $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $47,707 (median) and $60,162 (average), based on a 12.61% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. As of the 2021 Census, Port Macquarie Surrounds' incomes ranked between the 16th and 22nd percentiles nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 income band captured 29.2% of its community (1,574 individuals), similar to surrounding regions at 29.9%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 87.0% income retention, total disposable income ranked at the 27th percentile nationally.

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

Port Macquarie Surrounds' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.8% houses and 3.1% 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 Surrounds was at 52.0%, with the rest being mortgaged (34.2%) or rented (13.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,668, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent was $300, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $375. Nationally, Port Macquarie Surrounds' mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,668 against the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 75.3% of all households, consisting of 29.4% couples with children, 36.0% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 24.7%, with lone person households at 22.0% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Port Macquarie Surrounds fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 17.3%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualifications, at 12.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 46.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (34.5%). Educational participation is high, with 27.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.6% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Port Macquarie Surrounds has 156 active public transport stops. These include both train and bus services. There are 46 individual routes operating in total.

The combined weekly passenger trips across these routes amount to 304. The average distance residents live from the nearest transport stop is 406 meters. On average, there are 43 trips per day across all routes. This results in approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

Health performance in Port Macquarie Surrounds is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Port Macquarie Surrounds faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~2,533 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 10.6 and 8.5% of residents respectively. Conversely, 65.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 59.9% across Rest of NSW. As of 2021, the area has 28.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,518 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Port Macquarie Surrounds, as per the data provided, had a cultural diversity index below average. The population was predominantly Australian citizens, with 90.6% being citizens and 90.6% born in Australia. English was spoken at home by 97.6%.

Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 56.1%, compared to 57.5% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.4%), English (32.7%), and Irish (9.3%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 3.5% than the regional average of 3.8%. Scottish representation stood at 8.1%, slightly above the regional average of 8.3%. German ancestry was also somewhat overrepresented at 3.3%, compared to the regional average of 2.9%.

Port Macquarie Surrounds ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Port Macquarie Surrounds has a median age of 50, which is higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and above the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group makes up 18.3% of the population in Port Macquarie Surrounds, compared to 12.9% in the Rest of NSW and 9.4% nationally. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age group is less prevalent at 7.1%. Following the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 6.3% to 8.0%, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 16.7% to 18.3%. However, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 18.5% to 16.9%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 13.7% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Port Macquarie Surrounds' age profile will change significantly. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow by 165 people (38%), from 431 to 597. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 63% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 cohorts.