Scone Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

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

As of Aug 2025, Scone Surrounds' population is approximately 8,538, showing an increase of 344 people since the 2021 Census. This growth reflects a 4.2% rise from the previous population count of 8,194. The estimated resident population in June 2024 was 8,383, with an additional 154 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this increase. This results in a population density ratio of 1.1 persons per square kilometer. Scone Surrounds' growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area (3.0%), making it a regional growth leader. Natural growth accounted for 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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilised. Growth rates by age group for years 2032 to 2041 are applied across all areas. Looking ahead, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below Australia's regional median. By 2041, the area is projected to gain 754 persons, representing a total growth of 6.9% over the 17-year period.

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 around 18 new homes approved each year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 93 approvals across the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, with three recorded so far in FY26. On average, one new resident arrives per new home over these five years, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand and offering ample buyer choice while creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average dwelling construction value is $609,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction.

This financial year has seen $24.7 million in commercial approvals, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of NSW and nationally, Scone Surrounds shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 33rd percentile of areas assessed, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties. Recent development has been entirely comprised of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers, with an estimated 517 people in the area per dwelling approval reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show Scone Surrounds adding 592 residents by 2041, with development keeping reasonable pace with projected growth despite increasing competition among buyers as the population expands.

Future projections show Scone Surrounds adding 592 residents by 2041. Development is keeping reasonable pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Scone Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 43 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are 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.

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 an evenly distributed workforce across white and blue-collar jobs, with significant representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. As of June 2025, it has an unemployment rate of 3.4%, which is 0.2% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

The workforce participation rate in Scone Surrounds is 59.3%, compared to 56.4% in Rest of NSW. Leading employment industries among residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and health care & social assistance. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a particularly strong presence, with an employment share 4.7 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance has a limited presence at 8.8%, compared to the regional average of 16.9%.

Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.3% and employment fell by 4.9%, leading to an unemployment rate increase of 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1%, labour force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, and employment growth was 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Scone Surrounds' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 4.9%% over five years and 11.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Scone Surrounds' income level is above the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ended June 2022. Scone Surrounds' median income among taxpayers was $49,222 and the average income stood at $69,666, compared to figures for Rest of NSW of $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year ended June 2022, current estimates would be approximately $54,440 (median) and $77,051 (average) as of March 2025. Census data from 2021 shows household, family, and personal incomes in Scone Surrounds rank modestly, between the 25th and 30th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 29.5% of the population (2,518 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, similar to the metropolitan region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. 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 the remaining 4.5% comprising semi-detached properties, apartments and other dwelling types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's breakdown of 89.7% houses and 10.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Scone Surrounds stood at 44.5%, with mortgaged dwellings making up 33.5% and rented properties accounting for 22%. 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 figure of $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 account for 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 constitute 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, which aligns with the average for the Rest of NSW.

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 at 1.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Vocational credentials are held by 42.4% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 33.8%. Educational participation is high, with 27.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 10.6% in primary, 9.1% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

Nine schools operate within Scone Surrounds, educating approximately 1,208 students. The educational mix includes seven primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school.

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 within 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 as good, with residents typically located 282 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 250 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 4 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 across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 54% of the total population, which comprises around 4,644 people.

This compares to a rate of 57.5% across the Rest of NSW. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 9.9 and 9.3% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 65.6% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.4% across the Rest of NSW. The area has 23.4% of residents aged 65 and over, which totals around 1,996 people, a figure higher than the 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' population showed lower cultural diversity, with 90.2% 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 was overrepresented at 4.8%, versus 6.6% regionally, and Scottish representation stood at 8.0%, compared to 7.3%.

Scone Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Scone Surrounds' median age is 44 years, similar to Rest of NSW's 43 years and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Scone Surrounds has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (13.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.0%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the population aged 75 to 84 increased from 6.5% to 7.4%, while the percentage of those aged 5 to 14 decreased from 12.5% to 11.3%. The age group 55 to 64 also saw a decrease, from 14.9% to 13.9%. By 2041, Scone Surrounds is projected to experience significant changes in its age composition. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 43%, reaching 902 people from the previous figure of 630. This growth is led by residents aged 65 and older, who will represent 62% of the anticipated population increase. Conversely, both the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to decrease in number.