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

As of May 2026, Scone Surrounds' population is approximately 8,428, a 2.9% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 8,194 people. This growth can be attributed to an estimated resident population of 8,425 in June 2025 and the addition of 198 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 1.1 persons per square kilometer. Scone Surrounds' growth rate exceeded that of the SA3 area (2.4%), making it a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 49.4% to recent population gains, with all migration factors being positive. 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 used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Scone Surrounds is projected to increase by approximately 753 persons, reflecting an 8.9% total gain over the 16-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 approximately 18 new homes approved each year over the past five financial years, totalling 93 homes. So far in FY26, 9 approvals have been recorded. On average, one new resident per year per dwelling constructed has been observed between FY21 and FY25, indicating supply meeting or exceeding demand. The average construction value of these dwellings is $396,000.

Additionally, $24.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Scone Surrounds shows around 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 32nd percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but strong demand for established properties. Recent building activity consists solely 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 750 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and driving price growth.

Scone Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 42 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones 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. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

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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. As of December 2025, it has an unemployment rate of 3.4%. The town employs 4,108 residents while the regional NSW unemployment rate is 3.9%, making Scone's rate 0.5% lower.

Workforce participation is at 60.5%, matching Regional NSW's figure. Home-based work accounts for 16.7% of jobs based on Census data. Key employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and health care & social assistance. The area specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share four times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance has a smaller presence at 8.8% compared to Regional NSW's 16.9%. Local employment opportunities appear limited as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Scone Surrounds' labour force decreased by 0.7% while employment declined by 0.8%, keeping unemployment stable. Regional NSW saw a 1.2% employment decline, 0.8% labour force decline, and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that over five years, national employment will expand by 6.6%, with an increase of 13.7% projected over ten years. Applying these projections to Scone Surrounds' employment mix indicates local employment should grow by 4.9% in five years and 11.2% in ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The median income among taxpayers in The Scone Surrounds SA2 was $51,082 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $72,012 during the same period. These figures are higher than those for Regional NSW, which had a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. By March 2026, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $56,354 and the average income will reach around $79,444, based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32%. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Scone Surrounds rank modestly, between the 25th and 29th percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 29.5% of the community (2,486 individuals), which is consistent with broader trends across metropolitan regions showing 29.9% in the same category. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 87.5% income retention, 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

The dwelling structure in Scone Surrounds, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.5% houses and 4.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Scone Surrounds was at 44.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.5% and rented ones at 22.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Scone Surrounds was $250, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Scone Surrounds' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,500 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, which aligns with the Regional 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%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. 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 - advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 33.8%.

Educational participation is 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

Public transport analysis indicates 376 active transport stops operating within Scone Surrounds. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 47 individual routes collectively providing 1,554 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 301 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode at 89%, while 8% walk.

Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, above the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, some 16.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 222 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

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 based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is found to be fairly high at approximately 55% of the total population, which is around 4,626 people. This compares to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The most common medical conditions in the area were found to be arthritis and asthma, impacting 9.9% and 9.3% of residents respectively, while 65.6% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 24.2% of residents aged 65 and over, which is around 2,042 people. National rankings for these conditions are even higher than the general population.

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% citizens, 91.8% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 68.2%, compared to 55.9% regionally. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (35.8%), English (32.5%), and Irish (9.1%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 4.8% versus 4.6% regionally, and Scottish representation was equal at 8.0%.

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

Scone Surrounds' median age is 44 years, similar to Regional NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Scone Surrounds has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (14.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.1%). Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the population aged 75 to 84 grew from 6.5% to 7.7%, while the 55 to 64 age group decreased from 14.9% to 13.6% and the 5 to 14 age group dropped from 12.5% to 11.4%. By 2041, Scone Surrounds' population is expected to shift significantly in terms of age composition. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 40%, reaching 909 people from 647. Residents aged 65 and older are anticipated to represent 56% of the total growth, while both the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 age groups are expected to decrease in number.