Scone Surrounds

Scone 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

Scone Surrounds' population was approximately 8,607 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 413 people (5.0%) from the 2021 Census total of 8,194 people. The population growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,380 in June 2024 and an additional 184 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.1 persons per square kilometer. Scone Surrounds' 5.0% growth rate since the 2021 census surpassed the SA3 area's 3.3%, indicating it as a region leader in population growth. Natural growth contributed approximately 50.9% of 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. By 2041, the area is projected to grow by approximately 754 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 6.1% over the 17-year period. This growth rate is just below Australia's median for regional areas.

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

Scone Surrounds has seen approximately 18 new homes approved each year over the past five financial years, totalling 93 homes. As of FY26, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, one new resident per year per dwelling constructed has been observed between FY21 and FY25, indicating supply is meeting or surpassing demand. The average construction value of these dwellings is $609,000.

Additionally, $24.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year. Comparing Scone Surrounds to the Rest of NSW, it shows around 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 32nd percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established properties. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached houses, maintaining the area's low density character with a focus on family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 517 people.

Population forecasts indicate Scone Surrounds will gain approximately 523 residents by 2041. Existing development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 42 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Upper Hunter Energy Park, Aberdeen Valley Fair Commercial Development, Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and AGL Pumped Hydro Projects at Glenbawn and Glennies Creek. The following list details those 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.

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.4%, Scone Surrounds has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Scone Surrounds has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. As of June 2025, there are 4,077 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 3.2%, slightly lower than Rest of NSW's 3.7%.

The participation rate is 59.3%, comparable to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and health care & social assistance. Agriculture, forestry & fishing dominate with an employment share 4.7 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance has a lower presence at 8.8% compared to the regional 16.9%.

The area may have limited local job opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Scone Surrounds' labour force decreased by 4.3%, employment fell by 4.9%, leading to a 0.6 percentage point unemployment rate increase. Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and a 0.4 percentage point unemployment rise. Statewide, NSW's employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs) as of Nov-25, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Scone Surrounds' employment mix suggests local job growth could be around 4.9% in five years and 11.2% in ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The Scone Surrounds SA2's median income among taxpayers was $49,222 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $69,666 for the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of NSW which were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $55,429 (median) and $78,451 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Scone Surrounds, between the 25th and 29th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 29.5% of the community earn between $1,500 and $2,999 (2,539 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 29.9% in the same category. While housing costs are modest with 87.5% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 30th percentile nationally.

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

In Scone Surrounds, as per the latest Census evaluation, 95.5% of dwellings were houses, with 4.5% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 89.7% houses and 10.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Scone Surrounds stood at 44.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.5% and rented ones at 22.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,538. Weekly rent in Scone Surrounds was recorded at $250, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $290. Nationally, Scone Surrounds' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 68.8% of all households, including 26.4% couples with children, 33.9% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.2%, with lone person households at 28.7% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, aligning with the Rest of NSW average.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.9%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (33.8%). Educational participation is high at 27.9%, with 10.6% in primary education, 9.1% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 9.1% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 363 active stops operating in Scone Surrounds, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 47 individual routes, collectively facilitating 1,751 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 282 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 250 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately four weekly trips per stop.

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

Scone Surrounds faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 54% (~4682 people) have private health cover, compared to 57.5% across the rest of NSW.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.9%) and asthma (9.3%). About 65.6% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to the 65.4% in the rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 23.4% (2012 people), compared to 18.9% in the rest of NSW.

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

Scone Surrounds had a cultural diversity index below average, with 90.2% of its population being citizens, 91.8% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 68.2%, compared to 63.9% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (35.8%), English (32.5%), and Irish (9.1%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher than regional averages at 4.8%, while Scottish representation was also notably high at 8.0%.

Scone Surrounds hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Scone Surrounds' median age is 44 years, similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Scone Surrounds has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (13.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.0%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the age group 75 to 84 grew from 6.5% to 7.4%, while the age groups 5 to 14 decreased from 12.5% to 11.3% and 55 to 64 decreased from 14.9% to 13.9%. By 2041, Scone Surrounds is projected to experience significant shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 42%, reaching 902 people from 635. This demographic aging trend continues with residents aged 65 and older representing 64% of the anticipated growth, while both the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to decrease in number.