Scone

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

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Scone stands at approximately 6,000 as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 35 people (0.6%) compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 6,035 people. This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 5,998 from June 2025 alongside 42 validated new addresses identified since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 50 persons per square kilometer, which ensures a spacious living environment. The primary driver of population expansion in the region was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 90.9% of all population growth in recent times.

AreaSearch employs ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, projections from the NSW State Government at the SA2 level are used instead, which were released in 2022 based on 2021 data. Growth rates broken down by age category from these datasets are also applied to all locations for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographic trends, the area is projected to experience growth aligned with the lower quartile of regional zones nationwide, with an estimated rise of 133 persons by 2041 compared to the most recent annual ERP figures, translating to an overall expansion of 2.2% over the 16 years.

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

An average of approximately 18 new dwelling approvals are recorded in Scone each year, with a total of 93 homes approved during the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 25 approvals registered during the current FY-26 period. Given the population decline in the area, the incoming supply has likely matched local demand, providing suitable options for buyers, while the average expected construction cost for these new residences is $384,000. Furthermore, commercial development approvals valued at $8.6 million have been documented during the current financial year, highlighting the residential focus of the locality.

Scone exhibits comparable per-capita development rates to the Rest of NSW, maintaining market stability that aligns with broader regional trends. However, this level of activity falls below the national average, pointing to the mature state of the local market and potential planning limitations. The new additions comprise 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% medium to high-density dwellings, which maintains the low-density profile of the area by prioritizing separate houses that appeal to buyers seeking more space. With a ratio of roughly 293 people for each dwelling approval, Scone displays the typical traits of a low-density community.

Demographic forecasts suggest that Scone will add 131 residents by 2041 (calculated from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch). Based on current construction trends, the supply of new housing is expected to easily accommodate this demand, maintaining favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially supporting population growth that exceeds the baseline projections.

Scone has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure projects, major works, and municipal planning strategies have a substantial effect on the performance of a region. AreaSearch has identified a total of 1 major project expected to influence the local area. The key initiatives listed include the Upper Hunter Energy Park, the Aberdeen Valley Fair Commercial Development, the AGL Pumped Hydro Projects (Glenbawn and Glennies Creek), and the Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), with the detailed list highlighting the most significant developments.

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

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Employment performance in Scone ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Scone features a diverse labor force that spans both blue-collar and white-collar roles, with a notable presence in industrial and manufacturing fields, an unemployment rate of only 2.0%, and an annual employment growth rate estimated at 1.9%. As of March 2026, there are 3,050 employed residents, with the local unemployment rate sitting 2.1% lower than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%, while the participation rate is relatively typical (63.9% versus 60.6% for Regional NSW). Census records indicate that a modest 10.0% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been affected by Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary sectors employing local residents are mining, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing. The region exhibits a distinct concentration in the mining industry, where the employment share is 5.0 times higher than the regional average. In contrast, the health care & social assistance sector is underrepresented, making up 10.3% of local jobs compared to the regional rate of 16.9%. Although there are jobs available within the area, the relationship between the Census working population and the local job count suggests a significant portion of residents travel outside the area for employment.

According to the AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics, the year ending March 2026 saw employment levels rise by 1.9% and the labor force expand by 1.4%, which led to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 0.5 percentage points. This performance stands in contrast to Regional NSW, which experienced a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% reduction in the labor force, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. Employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context regarding potential future demand in Scone. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce distribution to project future growth. While employment across the nation is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the projected growth varies widely by industry. Applying these sectoral forecasts to Scone's specific employment distribution suggests that local employment will grow by 5.1% over five years and 11.6% over ten years (note that this calculation is a basic weighted projection for comparison and does not incorporate localized population adjustments).

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Income levels in the Scone SA2 are exceptionally high on a national scale, according to the latest ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Taxpayers in the Scone SA2 earn a median income of $53,653 and an average income of $100,992, compared to Regional NSW averages of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of approximately $59,190 (median) and $111,414 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in Scone are more moderate, placing between the 37th and 50th percentiles nationally. The statistics reveal that 29.4% of the population (representing 1,764 individuals) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, which is very similar to the wider metropolitan area where this bracket accounts for 29.9% of earners. Discretionary funds remaining after housing costs account for 85.3% of total income.

Scone is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The distribution of housing types in Scone at the time of the last Census consisted of 85.2% standalone houses and 14.8% alternative formats (including townhouses, apartments, and other housing types), compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% alternative formats across Regional NSW. Home ownership rates in Scone trailed the wider region at 33.2%, with the remaining properties being purchased with a mortgage (35.7%) or occupied by tenants (31.0%). The median monthly cost for home loans in the area was lower than the Regional NSW average at $1,625, and the median weekly rent stood at $290, compared to regional figures of $1,733 and $330 respectively. On a national level, Scone's monthly home loan payments are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and average rents are also significantly below the national benchmark of $375.

Scone has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 67.8%, consisting of couples with children at 28.6%, couples without children at 27.8%, and single parents at 10.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.2%, with single-person households representing 28.8% of all dwellings and group living arrangements making up 3.2%. The median household occupancy is 2.4 residents, which is identical to the Regional NSW average.

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

The region presents low levels of tertiary education, with university graduation rates (15.9%) falling well below the NSW average of 32.2%. This situation highlights both a developmental hurdle and a chance for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees represent the largest segment at 12.0%, with postgraduate degrees (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%) following. Vocational training and technical skills are common, with 40.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (31.6%).

Participation in study is notably high, with 28.9% of the local population currently enrolled in an educational institution. This proportion includes 11.3% attending primary school, 8.9% in high school, and 2.0% enrolled in higher education courses.

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

An assessment of public transit shows that Scone has 152 active passenger transport stops, incorporating both rail and bus services. These facilities are served by 23 distinct transit routes, which provide 871 weekly passenger journeys. Transit access is classified as excellent, with the typical resident living 166 meters from their nearest stop. Because Scone is mainly a residential community, the majority of working residents travel out of the area for employment, with private cars being the primary mode of travel at 93%. The average number of motor vehicles per household is 1.4. A low percentage of residents, 10.0%, work from home (based on the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 rules).

Service frequency averages 124 runs each day across the transit network, which translates to roughly 5 weekly services for each individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 closest transit stops to the center of the area.

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

Scone faces notable public health difficulties, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and chronic illness rates, with common conditions observed across both younger and older demographics, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is exceptionally high at roughly 71% of the population (4,284 people). This is higher than the rate in Regional NSW, which stands at 51.9%, and the national figure of 55.7%.

The most prevalent health conditions recorded in the region are arthritis and asthma, which affect 8.4 and 8.4% of the population, respectively, while 67.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Health statistics for the working-age cohort are generally typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 21.6% of the population (1,293 people), which is below the Regional NSW proportion of 23.4%, with national comparative ranks for health metrics showing higher positions than the overall population.

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

Scone displays lower levels of cultural diversity compared to average benchmarks, with citizens making up 87.8% of the population, 88.0% of residents born in Australia, and 93.0% of households speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, representing 65.7% of the population in Scone, which compares to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

Regarding family heritage (parental birthplace), the three most common backgrounds in Scone are Australian at 32.4%, English at 32.0%, and Irish at 8.6%. There are also notable differences in the concentration of other backgrounds: Australian Aboriginal is represented at a higher rate of 4.8% in Scone (compared to 4.6% regionally), Scottish is at 7.9% (compared to 8.0%), and Filipino is at 1.0% (compared to 0.6%).

Scone's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age of 39 years in Scone is notably younger than the Regional NSW average of 43, while remaining very close to the national median of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Scone has a larger proportion of residents aged 35 - 44 (14.9%) but a smaller share of people aged 55 - 64 (10.6%). Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort has expanded from 12.8% to 14.9% of the population, and the 65 to 74 group has grown from 9.5% to 11.1%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.2% to 10.4%, and the 5 to 14 age group decreased from 14.3% to 12.7%. Looking forward to 2041, population projections indicate notable changes in the age distribution of Scone. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to expand by 26% (an increase of 115 people), growing from 439 to 555. Crucially, residents aged 65 and over will make up 63% of the overall population increase, illustrating the aging profile of the community. Conversely, the cohorts aged 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 are expected to decrease in size.