Quirindi

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

Quirindi's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 7,675, showing an increase of 124 people since the 2021 Census. This growth rate is around 1.6%. The ABS estimated resident population in June 2025 was 7,671, with an additional 48 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this increase. This results in a population density of about 1.5 persons per square kilometer. Quirindi's growth rate of 1.6% is within 2.0 percentage points of its SA4 region (3.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 60.7% of the 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 employs 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 years 2032 to 2041. Projections indicate a decline in overall population over this period, with Quirindi's population expected to contract by 405 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 85 and over age group, projected to increase by 79 people.

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

Quirindi has recorded approximately 13 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 65 homes were approved, with a further 9 approved so far in FY26. Despite population decline during this period, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $379,000. This year, $7.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating limited focus on commercial development. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Quirindi has significantly less development activity, 64.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes. The area's level of new building activity is also under the national average, indicating its established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations.

New building activity comprises 90.0% standalone homes and 10.0% attached dwellings, preserving Quirindi's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an emphasis on detached housing. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 895 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population projections indicate stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures in the future, benefiting potential buyers.

Quirindi has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 29 projects that could affect this region. Notable initiatives include the Quirindi Aquatic Centre, Quipolly Water Project, Walhallow Community Infrastructure Project, and Middlebrook Solar Farm. The following list details those likely 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.

Employment performance in Quirindi exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Quirindi's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with diverse sector representation. As of December 2025, the unemployment rate was 2.8%. By this date, 4,028 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate 1.1% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Quirindi was 65.0%, slightly higher than Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, 18.5% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing (4.5 times the regional level), health care & social assistance (12.2%), and transport, postal & warehousing. The labour force decreased by 0.8% over a 12-month period, with employment declining by 1.3%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.4 percentage points.

Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Quirindi's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.2% over five years and 11.7% 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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Quirindi SA2 has lower income than the national average. The median income is $46,257 and the average is $53,495. In contrast, Regional NSW has a median income of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for March 2026 would be approximately $51,031 (median) and $59,016 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Quirindi fall between the 10th and 14th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 26.6% of residents (2,041 people) earn between $800 and $1,499, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 to $2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. Housing costs are modest, with 88.9% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at only the 16th percentile nationally.

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

Quirindi's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 96.0% houses and 4.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Quirindi stood at 47.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.9% and rented ones at 25.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,133, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Quirindi was $230, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Quirindi's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Quirindi features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 66.4% of all households, including 23.3% couples with children, 30.4% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.6%, with lone person households at 30.8% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualified residents at 10.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.4%) and certificates (32.5%). Educational participation is high, with 29.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (12.0%), secondary education (9.6%), and tertiary education (2.1%).

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

Quirindi has 417 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 37 individual routes, collectively facilitating 1,422 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average located 194 meters from the nearest stop. As primarily residential, most commutes are outward-bound. Cars remain the dominant mode at 90%, with 8% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 18.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 203 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per stop. An accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Quirindi faces substantial health challenges, as per AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 47% of the total population (~3,576 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.9%) and asthma (9.0%), while 62.7% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age population health challenges include elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 26.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,036 people), higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, aligning broadly with national rankings for the general population.

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

Quirindi's population showed low cultural diversity, with 87.0% being Australian citizens, 94.6% born in Australia, and 97.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 67.5%, compared to 55.9% regionally. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.0%), English (31.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (10.7%), which is higher than the regional average of 4.6%.

Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 7.8%, compared to 8.0% regionally, and Irish ancestry was also slightly higher at 8.0% versus 8.8%.

Quirindi hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Quirindi's median age in 2021 was 47 years, significantly higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 years and the national average of 38 years. The age profile showed that those aged 55-64 were particularly prominent at 15.3%, while the 25-34 group was smaller at 8.4% compared to Regional NSW. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 7.9% to 9.0%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.7% to 11.2%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 12.6% to 11.3%. By 2041, Quirindi's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 85+ group will grow by 41%, reaching 268 people from 190. Those aged 65 and above will comprise 78% of the projected population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 35-44 age cohorts.