Port Macquarie Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

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 around 5,384 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 83 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,301. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,297 in June 2024 and an additional 88 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Port Macquarie Surrounds' 1.6% growth since census positions it within 3.0 percentage points of the SA4 region (4.6%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 77.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on the latest population numbers, the area is expected to increase by 261 persons by 2041, recording a gain of 3.2% in total over the 17 years.

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 has recorded approximately 13 residential properties granted approval per year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, showing 67 homes over the past five financial years from FY20 to FY25, and 8 so far in FY26. Despite population decline during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to demand, creating a well-balanced market with good buyer choice. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $557,000, moderately above regional levels, indicating emphasis on quality construction.

This financial year, $572,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Port Macquarie Surrounds has significantly less development activity, with 67.0% below the regional average per person, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This activity is also below national average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. All new construction has been detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 376 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Port Macquarie Surrounds will gain 173 residents by 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.

Port Macquarie Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 36 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones include Beechwood Road Upgrade Stage 6, involving Steels Bridge Wauchope, The Sanctuary Port Macquarie, Sovereign Hills Master Planned Community, and another project named Sovereign Hills Masterplanned Community. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Port Macquarie Surrounds exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Port Macquarie Surrounds has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation, an unemployment rate of 2.8%, and relative employment stability over the past year as of June 2025. There are 2,783 residents in work while the unemployment rate is 0.8% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation is broadly similar to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 3.3 times the regional level. Conversely, accommodation & food shows lower representation at 4.9% versus the regional average of 7.8%.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population data. During the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.1%, labour force increased by 0.7%, resulting in unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, lagging the national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with differing growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Port Macquarie Surrounds's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.0%% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Port Macquarie Surrounds had a median taxpayer income of $42,365 and an average of $53,425 in the financial year 2022. This was lower than national averages, with Rest of NSW having a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. By March 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $46,856 and the average $59,088, based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Port Macquarie Surrounds fell between the 16th and 23rd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The earnings profile showed that 29.2% of the community earned between $1,500 - 2,999 (1,572 individuals), similar to surrounding regions where this group represented 29.9%. Despite modest housing costs allowing 87.0% income retention, total disposable income ranked at just the 27th percentile nationally.

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

In Port Macquarie Surrounds, as per the latest Census, 96.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This differed from Non-Metro NSW's composition of 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Macquarie Surrounds stood at 52.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.2% and rented ones at 13.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,668, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Port Macquarie Surrounds was $300, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $375. Nationally, these figures were lower than the Australian averages of $1,863 for mortgage repayments and $375 for rents.

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, including 29.4% couples with children, 36.0% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 17.3%, 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 12.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 46.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 11.9% and certificates at 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. The five schools in Port Macquarie Surrounds have a combined enrollment of 258 students, with all focusing exclusively on primary education. Secondary options are available in surrounding areas due to limited local school capacity (4.8 places per 100 residents vs 14.3 regionally), leading many families to travel for schooling.

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, offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 46 individual routes, together providing 304 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents on average located 406 meters from the nearest stop.

Services run an average of 43 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately one weekly trip per 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 (~2530 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 the Rest of NSW. The area has 28.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1516 people). Health outcomes among seniors in Port Macquarie Surrounds are particularly strong, performing even 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' cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 90.6% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia, and speaking English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Port Macquarie Surrounds, making up 56.1% of the population, compared to 57.5% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (33.4%), English (32.7%), and Irish (9.3%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation is higher than regional averages at 3.5%, while Scottish (8.1%) and German (3.3%) also show slight increases compared to regional figures.

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 also above the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group constitutes 18.3% of the population, compared to 12.9% in the Rest of NSW and 9.4% nationally. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age cohort makes up 7.1%, lower than both the Rest of NSW figure of 10.6% and the national average of 15.8%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.3% to 8.0%, while the 65 to 74 cohort has risen from 16.7% to 18.3%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has decreased from 18.5% to 16.9%, and the 45 to 54 age group has dropped from 13.7% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Port Macquarie Surrounds' age profile. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow by 165 people (38%), from 431 to 597. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 62% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Conversely, population declines are projected for both the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 cohorts.