Taree

An assessment of population growth drivers in Taree reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Taree stands at approximately 21,444 in May 2026. This represents a gain of 321 individuals (1.5%) from the 21,123 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 21,421 combined with 136 validated new addresses identified since the Census. Based on these figures, the population density is 171 persons per square kilometer, indicating a low density with ample space and capacity for expansion. The local growth rate of 1.5% since the Census is within 2.1 percentage points of the broader SA3 region (3.6%), indicating solid local demand. The main driver of this growth was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 68.7% of the total population increase during the recent timeframe.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline, are utilized for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are applied. Age-specific growth trends from these datasets are projected forward for all locations between 2032 and 2041. Future demographic shifts suggest the area will experience population growth slightly below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan regions. Based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, the population is projected to grow by 1,030 individuals by 2041, representing a total increase of 4.7% over the 16 years.

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

Over the last 5 financial years, Taree recorded an average of approximately 55 new dwelling approvals per year, resulting in 277 total residences. In the current financial year of FY-26, 82 approvals have been registered so far. With only 0.6 people migrating to the district for every new home built between FY-21 and FY-25, residential construction is matching or running ahead of local demand. This trend gives purchasers more choices and supports population expansion that may outpace current projections, with new homes built at an average cost of $308,000. Additionally, commercial development approvals have reached $47.5 million this financial year, pointing to solid investment from local businesses.

In comparison to the Rest of NSW, building approval volumes in Taree are quiet, sitting at 50.0% below the regional per capita average. This limited addition of new housing stock generally supports demand and values for established properties. The rate of construction is also below the national average, reflecting a mature market and suggesting potential barriers to new development. The current development pipeline is split between detached houses at 61.0% and medium to high-density options at 39.0%, with an increasing share of townhouses and units offering diverse options across different price points, ranging from family homes to more affordable compact living. This represents a marked departure from the existing housing stock, which is currently 81.0% houses, showing a scarcer supply of greenfield land and responding to changing household sizes and affordability constraints. The ratio of 588 people in the region for every single dwelling approval underscores the quiet and low-key nature of the local building market.

Looking forward, projections based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch show Taree adding 1,007 inhabitants by 2041. Provided building volumes remain steady, the supply of housing is set to satisfy demand, maintaining balanced conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth that exceeds current predictions.

Taree has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major works, and planning policies are key drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects expected to influence the local area. The most relevant initiatives include Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2, Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2, Taree Station Rail Infrastructure Upgrades, and the Bushland Drive Retail Premises Development, with details of these projects provided in the list 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 conditions in Taree face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

The local workforce in Taree is split between white-collar and blue-collar roles, with a solid footprint in essential service industries and a general unemployment rate of 7.9%. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 8,195, while the unemployment rate was 3.8% above the 4.1% rate recorded across Regional NSW, indicating potential for labor market improvement. Workforce participation is also low, sitting at 50.6% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census data indicates that a minor share of the workforce (6.6%) worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 lockdowns.

The primary sectors employing residents in the region are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. The local workforce has a notable concentration in health care & social assistance, employing residents at 1.5 times the regional average rate. Conversely, public administration & safety accounts for only 4.0% of local jobs, below the Regional NSW average of 7.5%. Although there are local employment opportunities within the boundary, the ratio of the Census working population to the local resident population suggests a significant number of residents travel outside the area for work.

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the workforce shrunk by 3.4% and total employment fell by 4.2% over the 12-month period, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. For comparison, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 0.9% and the labor force shrink by 0.4%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. Employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on future labor demand in Taree. These five and ten-year projections have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate future trends. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely by sector. Applying these sectoral projections to the local employment structure suggests employment in Taree could rise by 6.8% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, assuming a basic weighted calculation that does not incorporate localized population adjustments.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

According to aggregated postcode-level ATO statistics analyzed by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Taree SA2 recorded a median income of $43,613 and an average income of $52,399. These figures sit below the national average and are lower than the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimated values would be approximately $48,114 for the median and $57,807 for the average as of March 2026. Census statistics show that Taree's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 4th and 7th percentiles nationwide. The data indicates that 30.6% of the population (6,561 individuals) earn in the $400 - 799 range, contrasting with the wider region where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is largest at 29.9%. Housing cost pressures are significant, leaving residents with only 82.7% of their income after housing costs, ranking in the 5th percentile.

Taree is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

At the time of the last Census, the housing stock in Taree was comprised of 81.3% separate houses and 18.7% other housing types, such as townhouses, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership levels in Taree matched the regional average at 39.8%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (25.3%) or rented (34.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 was lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while the median weekly rent was $290 compared to the Regional NSW average of $330. Nationally, Taree's median mortgage payments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and median rents are lower than the national figure of $375.

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

Families make up 63.5% of local households, consisting of couples with children (19.6%), couples without children (27.0%), and single parent households (15.6%). The remaining 36.5% are non-family households, which are mostly single-person households at 33.4% and group shared homes at 3.1%. The average household size in the area is 2.3 individuals, which is slightly below the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

Educational attainment levels in the area show distinct patterns, with the rate of university qualification holders (12.8%) sitting below the NSW state average of 32.2%. This difference presents an opportunity for focused educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (31.9%).

Enrolment in education is high, with 28.2% of the local population currently undertaking formal studies. Of those studying, primary school students make up 11.1%, high school students represent 8.1%, and tertiary students account for 2.0%.

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

An analysis of local transport options indicates there are 463 active transit stops in Taree, incorporating a combination of rail and bus services. These stops are utilized by 60 separate routes, delivering 1,011 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 127 meters from the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, and most workers commute outside the area, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 94%. Average vehicle ownership stands at 1.2 cars per household, which is below the regional average. A small proportion of residents (6.6%) worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic restrictions.

Transit routes run at an average frequency of 144 services per day, representing approximately 2 weekly trips per transit stop. The accompanying map displays the location of the 100 closest transit stops to the center of the area.

Health performance in Taree is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Data from AreaSearch regarding mortality and the prevalence of chronic illnesses indicates notable health concerns in Taree across both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is low, with only 46% of the population (~9,821 people) holding cover. This is lower than the 51.9% recorded across Regional NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues in the area, affecting 11.8% and 11.2% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 55.8% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Chronic conditions are also elevated among the working-age population. Residents aged 65 and over make up 25.9% of the population (5,549 people), which exceeds the Regional NSW average of 23.4%. Senior health metrics in the area are generally consistent with national benchmarks.

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

The local population displays lower levels of cultural diversity than the national average, with citizens making up 89.2% of the population, 90.8% born in Australia, and 95.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, accounting for 57.4% of residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

Regarding parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries in Taree are Australian at 32.7%, English at 31.7%, and Australian Aboriginal at 8.5%. Other backgrounds show specific variations from regional norms, with Lebanese backgrounds representing 0.2% of the population (matching the 0.2% regional average) and Filipino backgrounds representing 0.8% (compared to 0.6% regionally).

Taree hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Taree's median age of 45 years is slightly higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and older than the national median of 38. The 75 - 84 age group is over-represented locally at 9.8% compared to the regional average, while the 35 - 44 age group is under-represented at 10.8%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 10.8% to 12.0% of the population, and the 35 to 44 bracket has increased from 9.8% to 10.8%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 demographic has decreased from 13.3% to 12.3%. Demographic projections indicate the age profile will change by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to grow by 355 people (16%) from 2,193 to 2,549, while the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 brackets are projected to contract.