Tamworth - North

Tamworth - North lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Analysis by AreaSearch indicates that the population of Tamworth - North stands at approximately 16,901 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 384 individuals (2.3%) from the 16,517 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 16,839 alongside 462 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The resulting population density is 222 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and capacity for future housing development. Over the last ten years, Tamworth - North has shown consistent growth with a 1.1% compound annual growth rate, which is higher than the wider SA3 region. Overseas migration was the main driver of this growth, accounting for roughly 83.1% of the total population increase in recent times.

For each SA2 locality, AreaSearch applies projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia published in 2024 using a 2022 baseline. In instances where SA2 data is unavailable from this source, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are substituted. The age cohort growth rates derived from these datasets are projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on recent annual ERP figures, demographic trends suggest the area will experience population growth exceeding the median for regional parts of the country, with an anticipated increase of 3,402 individuals by 2041, representing a overall growth of 19.8% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Tamworth - North when compared nationally

Tamworth - North averages approximately 93 residential building approvals annually, translating to a total of 467 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 119 approvals have been logged. The ratio of population growth to new housing was 0.7 people for each constructed dwelling over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, which suggests supply is keeping pace with or running ahead of demand, thereby offering buyers greater choice and supporting population expansion potential beyond current estimates, with new homes averaging a construction value of $329,000. Furthermore, commercial approvals worth $39.8 million have been registered in the current financial year, pointing to strong local business investment.

Compared to the Rest of NSW, Tamworth - North exhibits relatively high building activity (exceeding the regional per capita average by 20.0% over the 5 year period), which helps maintain property values while offering options to buyers. Dwellings built recently consist of 68.0% detached houses and 32.0% attached designs, reflecting a growing selection of medium-density housing that provides choices across different price points, ranging from standard family homes to smaller, more budget-friendly options. The market is characterized by low density, with roughly 214 people per dwelling approval.

According to the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch, Tamworth - North is projected to add 3,340 inhabitants by 2041. Although residential construction is proceeding at a steady rate relative to this anticipated growth, incoming residents may face heightened competition for properties as the population expands.

Tamworth - North has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure, major construction works, and planning policies play a major role in shaping local outcomes. AreaSearch has tracked 26 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Key developments include the Tamworth Regional Skywalk, the East Tamworth Watermain Replacement, the Carthage Street Rehabilitation, and the Calala to CBD Recreational Path, with the main projects of interest listed below.

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.

Employment performance in Tamworth - North exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

The local workforce in Tamworth - North is highly skilled with a strong representation in essential service industries, and the unemployment rate stands at a low 2.9%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 9,241, with the local unemployment rate sitting 1.2% below the Regional NSW average of 4.1%, and participation in the labour force significantly higher than typical levels (70.5% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW). Data from the Census indicates that a moderate 14.0% of the working population performed their jobs from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary sectors of employment for local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The local economy is highly focused on health care & social assistance, employing residents at 1.4 times the rate seen across the wider region. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing represents a minor portion of local jobs at 2.0%, compared to 5.3% regionally. At the time of the Census, there were 0.7 workers for every resident, pointing to a higher-than-average availability of local jobs.

AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the local labour force shrank by 2.1% and employment fell by 3.4%, which led to a 1.3 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe in Regional NSW, employment decreased by 0.9%, the labour force contracted by 0.4%, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.5 percentage points. Broader trends can be observed in Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections published in May-25. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry breakdown to estimate future employment trends. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual industries will grow at varying speeds. Weighting these national projections to match the industry structure of Tamworth - North indicates that local employment could grow by 6.7% over five years and 14.2% over ten years (this represents a basic weighted projection for comparison and does not incorporate local population forecasts).

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Data compiled by AreaSearch from the latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year indicates that taxpayers in the Tamworth - North SA2 recorded a median income of $57,092 and an average income of $66,786. These figures are slightly below the national averages and compare to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusting these figures for a 10.32% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $62,984 for median income and $73,678 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reports that individual weekly income is at the 54th percentile ($826), whereas household weekly income is at the 36th percentile. In terms of earnings distribution, 33.4% of residents (representing 5,644 individuals) have incomes between $1,500 - 2,999, which is comparable to the broader region where 29.9% of the population falls into this category. Housing costs present a major challenge, leaving residents with only 84.6% of their income, which puts the area in the 37th percentile, while the SEIFA index for income places the locality in the 5th decile.

Tamworth - North is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Tamworth - North was made up of 79.6% separate houses and 20.4% alternative housing types (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and other dwellings), compared to 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% alternative dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership rates in Tamworth - North stood at 30.6%, which is lower than the Regional NSW average, with the remaining properties being held with a mortgage (29.4%) or occupied by tenants (40.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,543, which is lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent was $320, compared to $330 in Regional NSW. On a national level, mortgage payments in Tamworth - North are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national average of $375.

Tamworth - North features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 63.9%, which includes 25.2% couples with children, 25.9% couples without children, and 11.7% single parent households. The remaining 36.1% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 32.9% and group households making up 3.2% of the total. The median household size of 2.3 people is slightly below the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Tamworth - North shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The educational profile of the area is distinct compared to the broader region, with tertiary qualification rates (25.8% of residents aged 15+) higher than the SA3 average of 17.3%, highlighting the local focus on tertiary education. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 17.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (5.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational training is also common, with 36.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade or technical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (26.8%).

Enrolment rates in education are high, with 30.4% of the population participating in formal study. This cohort is made up of 11.5% in primary schools, 7.9% in high schools, and 3.5% enrolled in higher education courses.

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

There are 359 active transport stops, including bus and train services, operating within Tamworth - North. A network of 100 distinct routes services these stops, providing 2,072 passenger trips each week. Access to transport is highly rated, with residents living an average of 117 meters from the nearest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, the majority of workers commute outside the locality, with private cars being the primary mode of transport for 94% of commuters. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.3 per household, which is lower than the regional average. Census data from 2021 indicates that 14.0% of residents worked from home, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

Daily services average 296 trips across all routes, which averages out to approximately 5 weekly trips per stop. The map details the location of the 100 closest stops relative to the centre of the area.

Health performance in Tamworth - North is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of local mortality figures and the incidence of long-term illnesses, Tamworth - North faces notable health difficulties, with common conditions present in both younger and older age brackets, and the level of private health insurance coverage sits slightly below the SA2 average at approximately 52% of the population (~8,805 people).

Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common medical issues reported, affecting 9.4% and 9.2% of the population respectively, whereas 64.1% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Chronic illnesses are more prevalent than average among residents of working age. Individuals aged 65 and over make up 19.2% of the population (3,248 people), which is lower than the 23.4% average across Regional NSW. Health outcomes for older residents present some difficulties, with national performance metrics generally matching those of the wider population.

Tamworth - North ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Tamworth - North has lower levels of cultural diversity compared to national averages, with citizens making up 85.7% of the population, 87.1% of residents born in Australia, and 90.1% using only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 61.5% of the local population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

Based on parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries in Tamworth - North are Australian (31.1%), English (28.5%), and Irish (8.9%). The area also shows notable differences in the proportions of other backgrounds: Australian Aboriginal residents account for 7.4% of the population (compared to 4.6% regionally), Vietnamese residents represent 0.6% (compared to 0.1% regionally), and Lebanese residents make up 0.3% (compared to 0.2% regionally).

Tamworth - North's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Tamworth - North is 37 years, which is lower than the Regional NSW average of 43 years and close to the national average of 38 years. Looking at the age distribution, 25 - 34 year-olds are highly represented (15.2%), while the 65 - 74 age bracket is smaller (8.5%) than is typical in Regional NSW. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 35 to 44 has increased from 12.3% to 13.9%, and the 15 to 24 cohort rose from 10.8% to 12.2%. In contrast, the 65 to 74 demographic decreased from 9.4% to 8.5%. Projections to 2041 point to shifts in the age profile, with the 25 to 34 age bracket expected to grow by 713 people (28%) from 2,560 to 3,274, while the 65 to 74 age group is projected to increase by 6% (87 people).