Redhead
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Redhead are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Aug '2025, Redhead's population is approximately 3,813, marking a 0.7% increase since the 2021 Census which reported 3,785 residents. This growth is inferred from ABS' June '24 estimate of 3,770 and 288 validated new addresses post-census. The population density is around 1,036 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Redhead's 0.7% growth since census is within 2.1 percentage points of the SA3 area (2.8%). Primary driver for this growth was interstate migration contributing approximately 51.9%. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in '24 with '22 as base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in '22 with '21 as base year for areas not covered by the former.

Considering these projections, Redhead is expected to experience above median non-metropolitan growth, expanding by 655 persons to 2041, a 15.4% increase over 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Redhead according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Redhead has averaged approximately 20 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, with a total of 101 homes approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25. As of FY-26, there have been no dwelling approvals thus far. The average population increase per dwelling built in Redhead over these five financial years was 0.4 people annually.

This suggests that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth beyond projections. The average expected construction cost value of new properties being constructed is $734,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, there have been $1.9 million in commercial approvals, implying a predominantly residential focus compared to other areas.

Compared to the rest of NSW, Redhead exhibits moderately higher building activity, at 28.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period from FY-21 to FY-25. However, construction activity has recently eased. The majority of new building activity in Redhead consists of standalone homes, with 94.0% of approvals for such properties and 6.0% for medium and high-density housing. This sustains the area's suburban identity, appealing to buyers seeking space and family homes. With approximately 268 people per dwelling approval, Redhead reflects a low density area. Future projections indicate that Redhead is expected to add 588 residents by 2041. Current development appears well-suited to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Redhead has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 42ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. Four projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to affect this region. Major initiatives include Oasis Redhead, Redhead Business Park, First Creek Realignment Project, and Redhead Pump Track. Relevant details for these projects are listed below.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Redhead significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Redhead's workforce is well-educated with strong representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 1.5% as of June 2025, lower than Rest of NSW's 3.7%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.5%. As of June 2025, 1,926 residents were employed with a workforce participation rate of 54.4%, below Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training, while agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.0% compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 2.5%, labour force grew by 2.5%, and unemployment remained essentially unchanged. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced an employment decline of 0.1% with a labour force growth of 0.3% and a rise in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. 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%. National unemployment was 4.5%, with national employment growth of 0.26% over the period. 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, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Redhead's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.0%% over five years and 14.4% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released on 1 July 2022 for financial year 2022, Redhead had a median income among taxpayers of $55,166 with an average level of $74,186. These figures are higher than the national averages of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively for Rest of NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $61,014 (median) and $82,050 (average). Census data from 2021 shows household, family and personal incomes in Redhead rank modestly between the 41st and 43rd percentiles. Income distribution reveals that 26.2% of Redhead's population falls within the $400 - 799 income range, unlike surrounding regions where 29.9% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Economic stratification is evident in Redhead, with 32.8% in modest circumstances and 30.7% in high-earning categories. Housing costs are manageable with 86.7% retained, but disposable income ranks at the 45th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Redhead, as per the latest Census, was 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 82.4% houses and 17.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Redhead stood at 57.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.4% and rented ones at 13.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,300, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Redhead was $420, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $370. Nationally, Redhead's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,300 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 65.3% of all households, including 32.2% couples with children, 24.9% couples without children, and 7.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.7%, with lone person households at 32.7% and group households comprising 1.7%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Redhead shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 29.2%, exceeding the Rest of NSW average of 21.3% and the SA3 area average of 23.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 19.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 37.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.6%) and certificates (25.9%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (10.8%), secondary education (9.2%), and tertiary education (4.2%). Redhead Public School serves the local community, enrolling 248 students. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1083). There is one school in Redhead focusing exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. Local school capacity is limited, with only 6.5 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.6, 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

Transport analysis indicates 37 active stops in Redhead, served by buses via nine routes offering 116 weekly passenger trips. Residents' average proximity to the nearest stop is 149 meters, with service frequency averaging 16 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

Service frequency averages 16 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Redhead is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Redhead faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 56% (~2,154 people) have private health cover, compared to 54.2% across the rest of NSW.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.9%) and mental health issues (8.9%). Around 62.0% report no medical ailments, similar to the 62.6% in the rest of NSW. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 29.2% (1,114 people), higher than the 21.4% in the rest of NSW. Senior health outcomes generally align with the overall population's health profile.

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

Redhead had a low cultural diversity, with 89.5% of its population born in Australia, 93.3% being citizens, and 95.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Redhead, accounting for 55.6% of the population, compared to 52.5% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.1%), Australian (32.3%), and Scottish (9.6%).

Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Welsh at 0.9% in Redhead vs 0.8% regionally, Macedonian at 0.6% vs 0.4%, and Russian at 0.4% vs 0.2%.

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

Redhead's median age of 48 years is significantly older than Rest of NSW's 43 and Australia's median age of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 15.0% of the population, while those aged 25-34 make up only 5.1%. This concentration of those aged 65-74 is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 10.0% to 12.8%, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 13.2% to 15.0%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 13.6% to 10.9%, and the 85+ group dropped from 5.9% to 4.1%. Demographic modeling suggests that Redhead's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, expanding by 147 people (38%) from 389 to 537. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 65 to 74 cohorts.