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

Based on calculations by AreaSearch, the population of Port Macquarie Surrounds is approximately 5,359 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 58 residents (1.1%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 5,301 individuals. This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 5,331 alongside 102 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The resulting population density stands at 1.9 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment. Growth was primarily fueled by overseas migration, which served as the exclusive source of population increase in recent times.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For locations lacking this coverage, 2022 projections from the NSW State Government using a 2021 baseline are applied. Age bracket growth trends derived from these sources are extended to all regions for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Future demographic patterns suggest a population rise slightly under the median for non-metropolitan areas. Based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, the region is projected to grow by 281 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 4.7% over the 16 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

Residential building approvals in Port Macquarie Surrounds run at approximately 15 properties annually, with 76 dwellings approved during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 19 approvals recorded so far in FY-26. Because only 0.1 people per year moved to the area for each new home built between FY-21 and FY-25, supply matches or exceeds local demand. This offers buyers more choices and supports the potential for population growth to outpace projections. Newly built properties show an average value of $408,000, which is slightly higher than the regional norm and indicates a preference for quality construction. Furthermore, commercial approvals stand at $572,000 for the current financial year, pointing to a low level of commercial development.

Port Macquarie Surrounds exhibits very limited development activity relative to the Rest of NSW, sitting 64.0% below the regional per capita average. Such low levels of new supply generally bolster demand and values for existing housing. The activity rate is also lower than the national figure, reflecting a mature market that may face development constraints. Furthermore, all recent construction has focused on detached houses, maintaining the low density character of the neighborhood and appealing to buyers seeking space. The quiet nature of the local building market is highlighted by an estimated ratio of 376 people per dwelling approval.

Looking forward, the population of Port Macquarie Surrounds is projected to rise by 253 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Given current building trends, the supply of new housing is expected to easily accommodate this demand, sustaining favorable purchasing conditions and potentially enabling growth to exceed current forecasts.

Port Macquarie Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure updates, major projects, and planning changes have a significant influence on regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 36 projects likely to affect the locality. Key initiatives include Beechwood Road Upgrade Stage 6 including Steels Bridge Wauchope, The Sanctuary Port Macquarie, Sovereign Hills Master Planned Community, and Thrumster Business Park, with the main projects of interest outlined below.

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

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The employment landscape in Port Macquarie Surrounds presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.1%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Port Macquarie Surrounds possesses a qualified labor force across various industries, and features a low unemployment rate of 3.1%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,671, with the unemployment rate sitting 1.0% below the Regional NSW average of 4.1%. The labor participation rate matches the Regional NSW level of 60.6%. Census data indicates that a moderate 20.9% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. The agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector is particularly prominent, employing residents at 3.3 times the regional average rate. Conversely, the accommodation & food sector accounts for only 4.9% of local jobs, compared to 7.8% across Regional NSW. A comparison between the census working population and the resident population suggests a shortage of local employment options.

Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that over the 12-month period, the local labor force shrank by 3.4% and total employment fell by 3.8%, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional NSW recorded a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% reduction in the labor force, and a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 help project future employment trends in Port Macquarie Surrounds. These five and ten-year projections have been aligned with the local industry mix to estimate future job growth. Nationally, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates of change vary by sector. Applying these sectoral trends to the local industry profile suggests employment in Port Macquarie Surrounds could grow by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population forecasts.

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

Taxpayer data from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that income levels in the Port Macquarie Surrounds SA2 are below the national average. The median income for taxpayers in the area is $45,244, while the average income is $55,050, compared to Regional NSW averages of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $49,913 for the median and $60,731 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes in Port Macquarie Surrounds rank between the 16th and 22nd percentiles nationwide. In terms of earnings brackets, the $1,500 - 2,999 range includes 29.2% of the local population (1,564 individuals), mirroring the regional trend of 29.9% in the same bracket. Although housing costs are low, leaving residents with 87.0% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 27th percentile nationally.

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

According to the latest Census, residential structures in Port Macquarie Surrounds consisted of 96.8% houses and 3.1% other dwelling types such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative housing. This compares to Regional NSW averages of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The home ownership rate was notably high at 52.0%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgagors (34.2%) or tenants (13.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $1,668, which is lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733. The median weekly rent was $300, compared to $330 regionally. On a national level, housing costs in Port Macquarie Surrounds are low, with mortgage payments well below the Australian median of $1,863 and rent significantly below the national median of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of households at 75.3%, consisting of couples with children at 29.4%, couples without children at 36.0%, and single parents at 9.3%. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.7%, with single-person households representing 22.0% and group houses making up 2.6%. The median household size of 2.5 people exceeds the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

Educational attainment in the area presents challenges, as the university qualification rate of 17.3% is much lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This gap highlights a key area for targeted educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Vocational training is highly prevalent, with 46.4% of residents aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (34.5%).

Engagement in education is high, with 27.0% of the population currently enrolled in study. This group includes 10.6% in primary school, 8.1% in high school, and 2.5% in higher education.

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

Public transport services in Port Macquarie Surrounds include 154 active train and bus stops. These locations are served by 46 distinct routes, which provide a total of 309 passenger trips each week. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents living an average of 406 meters from their nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, and most commuters travel out of the district. Private vehicles are the main mode of travel at 93%, while 5% of residents walk to work. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.9 cars per household, exceeding the regional average. Working from home was recorded for 20.9% of residents during the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

Service frequency averages 44 trips per day across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 2 weekly trips per stop. The map displays the 100 closest stops relative to the center of the location.

Port Macquarie Surrounds's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Mortality rates and chronic disease figures analyzed by AreaSearch indicate that health trends in Port Macquarie Surrounds are close to national benchmarks, with average rates of typical medical conditions across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low, held by roughly 47% of the population (~2,540 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues in the area, affecting 10.6 and 8.5% of the population respectively. Meanwhile, 65.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents experience higher than average rates of chronic illness. The area has a significant older population, with 29.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,555 people) compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health rankings for seniors are very strong, placing higher than the general population.

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 has relatively low levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 90.6% of the population, 90.6% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion at 56.1%, which is comparable to the 55.9% recorded across Regional NSW.

Regarding parental country of birth, the largest ancestry groups in Port Macquarie Surrounds are Australian at 33.4%, English at 32.7%, and Irish at 9.3%. There are also differences in the representation of other backgrounds: Australian Aboriginal residents account for 3.5% of the population (compared to 4.6% in the wider region), Scottish ancestry is at 8.1% (compared to 8.0%), and German ancestry is at 3.3% (compared to 3.1%).

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

The median age in Port Macquarie Surrounds is 50, which is higher than the Regional NSW median of 43 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 18.3%, well above the national average of 9.4%, while the 25 - 34 bracket is lower at 6.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 6.3% to 8.8% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group has risen from 8.8% to 10.6%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 group declined from 18.5% to 16.6%, and the 5 to 14 cohort fell from 12.5% to 10.8%. Demographic projections indicate the age profile will change by 2041. The 75 to 84 age cohort is expected to grow by 166 people (35%), rising from 472 to 639. Residents aged 65 and older will drive 61% of total population growth, reinforcing the aging trend, while declines are projected for the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 brackets.