Tamworth - West
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Tamworth - West are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Tamworth-West's population was 5,998 as of Aug 2021. By Aug 2025, it increased to around 7,045, a rise of 1,047 people (17.5%). This growth is inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 6,535 in June 2024 and an additional 270 validated new addresses since Aug 2021. The population density was 112 persons per square kilometer. Tamworth-West's growth exceeded the SA4 region (4.1%) and the non-metro area. Natural growth contributed approximately 63.2% of overall population gains recently.

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 are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Tamworth-West is projected to increase by 1,540 persons, a total rise of 13.3% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Tamworth - West when compared nationally

Tamworth - West has experienced approximately 31 dwelling developments receiving approval annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 156 approvals between the financial years 2020-21 (FY-20) and 2025-26 (FY-25), with 12 recorded so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years, an average of 2.0 new residents per year has been gained for each dwelling built, reflecting strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $297,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers.

In the current financial year, $23.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development compared to the rest of NSW. Tamworth - West has seen slightly higher development activity than the regional average per person over the past five years, balancing buyer choice while supporting current property values. Recent construction comprises 47% standalone homes and 53% medium to high-density housing, marking a notable shift from the area's existing housing stock, which is currently 95% houses. This trend indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles and demand for more diverse, affordable housing options. The location has approximately 231 people per dwelling approval, suggesting room for growth.

Looking ahead, Tamworth - West is projected to grow by 937 residents by the year 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Tamworth - West has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 18thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects that may affect this region. Notable projects include Rosary College Lifestyle Community, Goonoo Goonoo Commercial Precinct, Maintenance and Workshop Buildings, and Majestic Tamworth. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Tamworth - West recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Tamworth - West has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, particularly in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.4% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 5.0% over the past year.

In this area, 3,039 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.7% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation was lower at 53.5%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors included manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Manufacturing was particularly prominent, with an employment share three times the regional level.

However, education & training was under-represented, with only 4.8% of Tamworth - West's workforce compared to 9.6% in Rest of NSW. The ratio of one worker per resident indicated substantial local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 5.0%, while labour force grew by 3.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced a slight employment decline and a rise in unemployment rate. State-level data to Sep-25 showed NSW employment contracted by 0.41% with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local growth patterns differed significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Tamworth - West's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 5.3% over five years and 12.0% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates that Tamworth - West has incomes below the national average. The median income is $43,604 and the average is $52,531. In contrast, Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $48,226 (median) and $58,099 (average). Census data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Tamworth - West fall between the 16th and 21st percentiles nationally. Income brackets reveal that 30.3% of locals (2,134 people) predominantly earn within the $1,500 to $2,999 category, similar to metropolitan regions where this cohort also represents 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Tamworth - West, with only 81.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 14th percentile nationally.

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

Tamworth - West had 95.1% houses and 4.9% other dwellings at the latest Census. Non-Metro NSW had 89.5% houses and 10.4% other dwellings during the same period. Home ownership in Tamworth - West was 23.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.3% and rented ones at 48.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,387, compared to Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,500. The median weekly rent in Tamworth - West was $290, while it was $300 in Non-Metro NSW. Nationally, Tamworth - West's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Tamworth - West features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 72.9% of all households, including 26.2% couples with children, 21.9% couples without children, and 23.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 27.1%, with lone person households at 23.2% and group households making up 3.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Tamworth - West faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 9.0%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 6.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.1%) and certificates (33.2%).

Educational participation is high at 36.5%, comprising primary education (16.4%), secondary education (10.8%), and tertiary education (1.5%). Schools in the area include Peel High School and Westdale Public School, serving a total of 1,040 students. Educational provision follows conventional lines, with one primary and one secondary institution.

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

Transport analysis shows that as of 15th March 2021, there are 159 active public transport stops in Tamworth - West. These are served by a total of 57 bus routes, offering 508 weekly passenger trips combined. Residents enjoy excellent accessibility to these stops, with an average distance of just 107 meters to the nearest one.

On average, there are 72 daily trips across all routes, which equates to about three weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Tamworth - West faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have a notable prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 47% (~3,290 people) of Tamworth - West residents have private health cover, which is lower than the Rest of NSW average (50.0%) and the national average (55.3%).

The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 11.3% and 11.2% of residents respectively. About 64.3% of residents reported having no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 63.4%. Tamworth - West has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 12.1% (855 people) compared to the Rest of NSW average of 19.9%. Health outcomes among seniors in the area are broadly similar to those of the general population's health profile.

Tamworth - West is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Tamworth-West had a cultural diversity index below average, with 82.8% citizens, 89.8% born in Australia, and 91.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 54.1%, compared to 63.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.6%), English (25.8%), and Australian Aboriginal (19.5%), which was substantially higher than the regional average of 9.4%.

Notably, Filipino and Maori populations were overrepresented at 2.7% and 0.6%, respectively, compared to regional averages of 0.7% and 0.2%.

Tamworth - West hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Tamworth - West's median age is 30 years, which is considerably lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and substantially under the Australian median of 38 years. Relative to Rest of NSW, Tamworth - West has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 16.9%, but fewer 65-74 year-olds at 6.6%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of 25 to 34 year-olds has grown from 15.0% to 16.9%, while the proportion of 5 to 14 year-olds has declined from 18.1% to 16.5%, and the proportion of 55 to 64 year-olds has dropped from 9.1% to 8.0%. Demographic modeling suggests that Tamworth - West's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 25 to 34 cohort projected to grow strongly at 33%, adding 387 residents to reach a total of 1,575. In contrast, both the 75 to 84 and 15 to 24 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.