Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Scone is $655k, with units at $368k. House values have moved 9.6% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Scone has an estimated 6,002 residents, down from 6,035 at the 2021 Census. Density is about 51 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Scone stands at roughly 6,002 as of Aug 2026. This marks a reduction of 33 people (0.5%) compared to the 6,035 residents recorded during the 2021 Census. Such movement is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population figure of 5,998 alongside 45 validated new addresses established post-Census. At this count, population density sits at 50 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable personal space. In contrast to Scone's 0.5% post-Census contraction, the broader SA3 region recorded an increase of 2.4%, demonstrating diverging demographic trajectories.
The primary catalyst for local demographic expansion was net overseas arrivals, accounting for roughly 90.9% of all recent additions. Projections generated by ABS/Geoscience Australia (released in 2024 using 2022 as their starting point) serve as the foundation for AreaSearch's SA2 modelling. Where locations lack this coverage, NSW State Government SA2 forecasts (issued in 2022 using a 2021 baseline) are adopted. Cohort-specific growth trajectories derived from these datasets are further applied across all localities spanning 2032 to 2041. Over the coming years, demographic trajectory is projected to track within the lower quartile of Australian regional communities, with local numbers forecasted to rise by 118 persons to 2041 according to recent annual ERP data, representing an overall increase of 1.9% throughout the 16-year timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
105 new dwellings have been approved in Scone over the past five years, an average of 21 a year. That is 3.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Scone have tracked at approximately 21 dwellings per year, accumulating to 105 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. Alongside local population contraction, dwelling delivery has comfortably kept pace with absorption, fostering a balanced environment offering ample options for purchasers, while newly sanctioned builds carry an average estimated construction cost of $508,000—moderately higher than regional benchmarks—reflecting a commitment to premium construction standards. Additionally, commercial development approvals reached $8.6 million during this financial year, underlining the dominant residential profile of the locality. Relative to Rest of NSW, building activity across Scone is moderately elevated (tracking 13.0% higher than the regional per-capita baseline over the 5-year span), sustaining buyer selection while reinforcing existing asset values.
Conversely, construction rates fall short of national benchmarks, highlighting an established urban footprint and potential town planning constraints. Detached houses account for 89.0% of freshly approved residential development compared to 11.0% across medium and high-density housing, preserving a low-density residential landscape centered on spacious family living. With an average of roughly 219 people per dwelling approval, Scone maintains traditional low-density urban planning metrics. Moving forward, population numbers in Scone are projected to climb by 114 residents through to 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update. Under existing building approval rates, upcoming housing construction appears well placed to satisfy residential demand, providing favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially accommodating residential growth surpassing present demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Scone
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 111 current infrastructure and development projects close to Scone, worth an estimated $27.7 billion. 41 are already under construction and 42 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local economic and social outcomes are heavily shaped by planning frameworks, capital investments, and infrastructure projects. AreaSearch has pinpointed 1 key project anticipated to influence the region. Notable major proposals include the Upper Hunter Energy Park, Aberdeen Valley Fair Commercial Development, AGL Pumped Hydro Projects (Glenbawn and Glennies Creek), and Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), with primary schemes outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Upper Hunter Energy Park
A wind farm project located approximately 12 km from the town of Scone. The project is owned and operated by Maven Renewable Energy Pty Ltd Australia.
Aberdeen Valley Fair Commercial Development
Demolition of existing structures and construction of a mixed-use commercial development comprising of a two-story commercial building incorporating ground floor retail shops and supermarket and first floor commercial tenancies, a 24-hour highway service centre, quick service food outlet, bulky goods retail outlets, and car parking. The total site area is 9,854sqm and is zoned B2 Local Centre. The building area is 780sqm.
AGL Pumped Hydro Projects (Glenbawn and Glennies Creek)
Two large renewable energy projects being developed by AGL at WaterNSW's Glenbawn and Glennies Creek reservoirs. The projects will have a combined capacity of up to 1,393 MW and 10-hour storage, with opportunities for integrated wind farms.
Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
The proposed Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be capable of providing a power/capacity of 400MW/800MWh, providing up to 2 hours of energy storage to power approximately 480,000 homes. Located in Aberdeen, NSW, the BESS will connect to the existing transmission network and will contribute significantly to the surrounding area by improving energy reliability, reducing energy costs, fostering economic growth and supporting Australia's transition to net-zero emissions. The scope of the works includes construction of a BESS, overhead or underground cables, and installation of a switching station and associated infrastructure.The site size is 12 Hectares.
McCullys Gap BESS
A 400-megawatt / 1.6-gigawatt hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) proposed by BW ESS. The project aims to enhance energy security and support the transition to renewable energy by providing critical storage capacity. It will connect to the existing Transgrid Muswellbrook substation.
Muswellbrook Thermal Storage Facility
Installation and operation of a 4.99 MW concentrated solar thermal (CST) demonstration facility utilizing CSIRO's innovative particle-based technology. The project features approximately 7,600 heliostats and a 110-meter solar tower with 16-hour thermal storage capacity. It stores solar heat in ceramic particles to generate dispatchable electricity for the national grid, showcasing a zero-emissions alternative to traditional power cycles. The facility is a key component of the transitioning Hunter Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone.
Muswellbrook Solar Farm
135MW solar farm and 135MW/270MWh battery energy storage facility (BESS) on the former Muswellbrook Coal Mine site. Approved by the NSW IPC in May 2025 and the Federal Government in August 2025. It will generate enough power for up to 79,000 homes. The expected construction completion date is early 2028.
Muswellbrook Hospital Redevelopment - Stage 3
Stage 3 of the NSW Government's $45 million Muswellbrook Hospital Redevelopment is under construction. The project includes a new operating theatre suite, central sterilising department and relocated community health facilities. The operating theatres opened in early 2026, the new community health space was completed in July 2026 and is preparing to open, while the new sterilising department remains under construction with overall completion expected in 2027.
3,050 residents of Scone are employed, from a labour force of 3,113. Unemployment sits at 2.0%, with participation at 63.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Scone maintains a diverse labour force distributed across blue-collar and white-collar roles, underpinned by substantial representation within industrial and manufacturing trades, a low jobless rate of 2.0%, and annual employment gains estimated at 1.9%. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,050, while unemployment tracked 2.1% under the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, alongside typical labour force participation (63.9% versus 60.6% across Regional NSW). According to Census metrics, remote working was limited, with 10.0% of workers operating from home, though prevailing Covid-19 restrictions at the time warrant consideration. The primary employment fields among local workers are mining, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing.
Notably, local workforce concentration in mining is pronounced, registering an employment concentration 5.0 times higher than regional standards. In contrast, health care & social assistance engages a smaller proportion of the workforce at 10.3%, compared against the 16.9% regional baseline. Although employment opportunities exist locally, commuter comparisons between working residents and local positions indicate substantial outbound travel for employment. AreaSearch examination of ABS and SALM figures indicates that in the 12 months leading to March 2026, employment grew by 1.9% while the local workforce expanded by 1.4%, lowering the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. By contrast, Regional NSW experienced an employment decline of 0.9%, a 0.4% reduction in the labor force, and a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-range projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future employment conditions for Scone. These five and ten-year projections have been applied across local industry distributions to project potential workforce trajectory. Across Australia, workforce numbers are forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with sectoral outcomes varying widely. Applying these industry growth rates to Scone's specific worker distribution indicates potential job growth of 5.1% across five years and 11.6% across ten years (serving as an illustrative weighted baseline without integrating local population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Scone is $1,526 a week (about $79,000 a year), with median personal income at $805 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,653 a year against an average of $100,992. The average runs 88% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Based on ATO data released at the postcode level for financial year 2023, taxpayers within the Scone SA2 recorded a median earnings figure of $53,653 alongside an average of $100,992. These figures rank among the highest percentiles nationally, exceeding the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Incorporating a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures near $59,190 (median) and $111,414 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places Scone's personal, family, and household incomes within a moderate band spanning the 37th to 50th percentiles.
Furthermore, 29.4% of residents (1,764 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, aligning closely with the 29.9% recorded across the surrounding region. Residual income available following housing obligations stands at 85.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Scone had 2,352 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 1% apartments. 36% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $290 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,625 a month. Rent absorbs 19.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, residential structures across Scone consisted of 85.2% standalone houses and 14.8% alternative properties (including flats, semi-detached options, and other residential formats), compared with 82.6% houses and 17.4% other residences throughout Regional NSW. Outright property ownership in Scone trailed regional levels at 33.2%, with remaining households holding a mortgage (35.7%) or renting (31.0%). Median monthly mortgage costs were $1,625, below the Regional NSW benchmark of $1,733, while weekly rental payments averaged $290, below the $330 recorded regionally. At a national level, Scone's mortgage obligations sit well below the Australian average of $1,863, with rental rates tracking substantially under the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Scone counted 2,352 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 29% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 67.8% of all households in the community, encompassing couples with children at 28.6%, couples without children at 27.8%, and single parent arrangements at 10.7%. Non-family living situations account for the other 32.2%, comprising single-person households at 28.8% and shared group housing at 3.2%. The typical household size sits at 2.4 individuals, identical to the Regional NSW standard.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.9% of adults in Scone hold a university qualification, including 12.0% with a bachelor degree and 2.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.6% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,489 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 966 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment presents a distinct profile locally, as university graduation levels (15.9%) sit considerably below the wider NSW benchmark of 32.2%, highlighting potential for targeted educational initiatives. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications comprise 12.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Meanwhile, technical and trade qualifications are widely held, with 40.8% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (31.6%). Participation in formal education is substantial, with 28.9% of the local population engaged in study. This group includes 11.3% attending primary school, 8.9% undertaking secondary schooling, and 2.0% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Scone reaches 153 stops on 25 routes, timetabled for about 860 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of the local network indicates 153 operational public transit stops throughout Scone, incorporating both train and bus infrastructure. Across these facilities, 25 separate routes provide 862 scheduled trips each week. Transport connectivity is rated as excellent, with average distances to the nearest boarding point sitting at 170 meters. Given its primarily residential profile, outbound travel is standard, with private vehicles serving 93% of journeys. Households maintain an average of 1.4 vehicles, while remote working accounted for 10.0% of workers during the 2021 Census under potential pandemic influences. Transit services maintain an average frequency of 123 departures per day across the network, representing approximately 5 trips weekly per stop.
The accompanying spatial plan displays the 100 closest stops relative to the center of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.4% of residents in Scone report no long-term health condition. 6.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 71.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluation by AreaSearch indicates notable community health challenges, reflected in mortality patterns and chronic ailment rates spanning younger and older demographics, alongside an exceptionally high private health insurance uptake of approximately 71% across the total population (4,285 people). This markedly exceeds the 51.9% regional rate in Regional NSW and the national standard of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis represent the primary chronic medical conditions identified, each recorded among 8.4 and 8.4% of the population, while 67.4% of residents reported having no long-term illnesses, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Health measures for working-age cohorts remain broadly typical.
Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 20.9% of the population (1,252 people), below the 23.3% observed in Regional NSW, though national health percentiles track higher than the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Scone is largely Australian-born, at 88.0% of residents, with 7.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.4%) and English (32.0%). 4.8% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Measures of cultural diversity in Scone remain below standard benchmarks, with Australian citizens making up 87.8% of the populace, 88.0% born domestically, and 93.0% using English exclusively at home. Christianity forms the predominant faith, practiced by 65.7% of local residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Regarding parental ancestry, the leading backgrounds recorded in Scone are Australian (32.4%), English (32.0%), and Irish (8.6%). Divergences appear among other ancestral cohorts, with Australian Aboriginal representation reaching 4.8% (against 4.6% regionally), Scottish ancestry at 7.9% (against 8.0%), and Filipino heritage comprising 1.0% (against 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Scone is 39. 24.1% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of Scone is comparatively younger than Regional NSW. August 2026 figures show that 27.6% of residents are young to middle-aged adults aged 25 - 44, relative to 23.5% across Regional NSW, while elderly and retiree cohorts aged 65+ account for 20.9%, compared with 23.3% regionally. The median age remains 39 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure and 4 years lower than the Regional NSW median of 43 at that Census. Since that time, residents aged 45 - 64 have decreased from 23.9% to an estimated 21.4%.
Heading toward 2041, senior demographics are projected to drive growth, expanding by 184 persons (15%) to reach 1,436, whereas younger age brackets, children, and mature working-age groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Scone
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 45 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,035 at the 2021 Census → 6,002 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (106041128). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.