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

According to investigations by AreaSearch, Scone Surrounds has a population of approximately 8,428 as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 234 individuals (2.9%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 8,194 people. The development is calculated from the ABS estimated resident population of 8,425 in June 2025 alongside 198 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level corresponds to a density of 1.1 persons per square kilometer, indicating substantial space for each resident. Scone Surrounds's 2.9% expansion since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (2.4%), making it a growth leader in the region. Population increases in the area were mainly driven by overseas migration, which comprised about 49.4% of total population additions in recent times, though all indicators including interstate relocation and natural growth were positive.

AreaSearch implements ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For SA2 regions lacking this information, AreaSearch uses SA2 level projections from the NSW State Government, published in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age cohort from these groups are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, a population rise slightly below the median of Australia's regional zones is anticipated, with the region projected to expand by 753 persons to 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP population data, representing a total gain of 8.9% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Scone Surrounds according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Scone Surrounds has seen approximately 18 homes receive development approval each year, amounting to 93 dwellings over the past 5 financial years. In FY-26 to date, 12 approvals have been documented. Based on a mean of 1.9 new occupants per year per dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply and demand seem balanced, yielding stable market environments, although recent statistics show this has risen to 3.9 individuals per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, pointing to rising popularity and potential undersupply. New residences are being constructed at a mean value of $396,000—somewhat above regional benchmarks—indicative of quality-oriented development. There have also been $24.7 million in commercial approvals this financial year, showing steady commercial investment flow.

In comparison to Rest of NSW, Scone Surrounds registers approximately three-quarters of the building activity per capita while ranking in the 33rd percentile of locations evaluated across the country, signifying relatively restricted buyer choices while bolstering demand for existing homes. This construction rate is similarly below the national average, showing the established status of the area and suggesting potential planning constraints. Furthermore, new building has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, preserving the traditional low density layout of the area with a focus on family houses appealing to those wanting space. The estimated ratio of 521 people in the area per dwelling approval highlights its quiet, low activity development landscape.

Looking forward, Scone Surrounds is projected to expand by 750 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current building rates continue, housing supply might trail population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and supporting price rises.

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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects and planning initiatives. In total 42 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Upper Hunter Energy Park, Aberdeen Valley Fair Commercial Development, Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and AGL Pumped Hydro Projects (Glenbawn and Glennies Creek), with the below list detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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.

The employment environment in Scone Surrounds shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Scone Surrounds has a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented, an unemployment rate of only 3.0%, and 2.1% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of March 2026, 4,153 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.1% below Regional NSW's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation is broadly similar to Regional NSW's 60.6%. Based on Census responses, a moderate 16.7% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Primary employment fields for residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, mining, and health care & social assistance. The region displays a strong concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with a job share 4.7 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance has a low presence at 8.8% employment compared to 16.9% regionally. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, the 12-month period saw employment increasing by 2.1% alongside labour force increasing by 1.4%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.6 percentage points. This compares to Regional NSW, where employment fell by 0.9%, labour force contracted by 0.4%, and unemployment rose 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Scone Surrounds. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Scone Surrounds's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.9% over five years and 11.2% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The Scone Surrounds SA2's income level is above the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The Scone Surrounds SA2's median income among taxpayers is $51,082 and the average income stands at $72,012, which compares to figures for Regional NSW's of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $56,354 (median) and $79,444 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Scone Surrounds, between the 25th and 29th percentiles. Income analysis reveals 29.5% of the population (2,486 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring 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

Dwelling structure within Scone Surrounds, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 95.5% houses and 4.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Scone Surrounds was well beyond that of Regional NSW, at 44.5%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (33.5%) or rented (22.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Regional NSW average at $1,500, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $250, compared to Regional NSW's $1,733 and $330. Nationally, Scone Surrounds's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 68.8% of all households, comprising 26.4% couples with children, 33.9% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 31.2%, with lone person households at 28.7% and group households comprising 2.5% of the total. The median household size of 2.4 people matches the Regional NSW average.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (13.9%) substantially below the NSW average of 32.2%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 42.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (33.8%).

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

Public transport analysis reveals 376 active transport stops operating within Scone Surrounds comprising a mix of train and buses. These stops are serviced by 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%, with 8% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, above the regional average. Some 16.7% of residents work from home (2021 Census; 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 with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts , and the rate of private health cover found to be fairly high at approximately 55% of the total population (~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 (2,042 people). , with national rankings 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 was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 90.2% of its population being citizens, 91.8% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Scone Surrounds was found to be Christianity, which makes up 68.2% of people in Scone Surrounds. This compares to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Scone Surrounds are Australian, comprising 35.8% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 30.0%, English, comprising 32.5% of the population, and Irish, comprising 9.1% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal is notably overrepresented at 4.8% of Scone Surrounds (vs 4.6% regionally) and Scottish at 8.0% (vs 8.0%).

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

Scone Surrounds's median age of 44 years stands similar to Regional NSW's 43 as well as well above the 38-year national average. Relative to Regional NSW, Scone Surrounds has a higher concentration of 65 - 74 residents (14.1%) but fewer 25 - 34 year-olds (10.1%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 6.5% to 7.7% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 14.9% to 13.6% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 12.5% to 11.4%. By 2041, Scone Surrounds is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading the demographic shift, the 75 to 84 group will grow by 40% (261 people), reaching 909 from 647. Demographic aging continues as residents 65 and older represent 56% of anticipated growth. Conversely, both 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 age groups will see reduced numbers.