Taree

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

Taree's population is 21,444 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 321 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 21,123. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 21,421 in June 2025 and an additional 136 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 171 persons per square kilometer. Taree's 1.5% growth since census is within 2.1 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 68.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of non-metropolitan areas nationally, with the area expected to expand by 1,030 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting 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

Taree averaged approximately 55 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 277 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 71 approvals have been recorded. On average, about 0.9 new residents per year arrived with each new home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that supply has met or exceeded demand. The average construction value of these new homes was $308,000.

In FY-26, commercial approvals totalled $47.5 million, demonstrating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Taree had 50% less development activity per person as of FY-25. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, which is also below the national average, suggesting an established area with potential planning limitations. New developments consisted of 61% detached houses and 39% medium to high-density housing, expanding affordable options. This shift from the current 81% houses indicates decreasing developable sites and changing lifestyles. The area had approximately 586 people per dwelling approval as of FY-25.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Taree is projected to gain 1,007 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, benefiting buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current projections.

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

A total of 18 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. These include major initiatives such as Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2, Taree Station Rail Infrastructure Upgrades, and Bushland Drive Retail Premises Development. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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

Taree's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 7.7% as of an unspecified date. As of December 2025, 8,386 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 11.4%, higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Taree was 51.6%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, only 6.6% of residents worked from home. The key industries of employment were health care & social assistance (1.5 times the regional average), retail trade, and accommodation & food. Public administration & safety employed just 4.0% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 7.5%.

Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and July 2025, Taree's labour force decreased by 1.3%, employment declined by 2.9%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced a 1.2% employment decline and a 0.8% labour force decline, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Taree's employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

The Taree SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $43,613 and an average income of $52,399 in financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Regional NSW having a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $48,114 (median) and $57,807 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Taree fall between the 4th and 7th percentiles nationally. The income band of $400 - 799 captures 30.6% of the community (6,561 individuals), differing from regional patterns where the $1,500 - 2,999 band dominates with 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Taree, with only 82.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 5th percentile nationally.

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

In Taree, as per the latest Census, dwelling structures consisted of 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Taree was 39.8%, similar to Regional NSW, with the rest being mortgaged (25.3%) or rented (34.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Taree was $1,300, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Taree was $290, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Taree's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 63.5% of all households, including 19.6% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children, and 15.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.5%, with lone person households at 33.4% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.8%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (31.9%). Educational participation is high, with 28.2% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.1% in primary, 8.1% in secondary, and 2.0% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.1% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis indicates 463 active transport stops within Taree, including a mix of train and bus services. These stops are serviced by 60 individual routes, providing a total of 1,011 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents located an average of 127 meters from the nearest stop. Most commuters travel outward, with car being the dominant mode at 94%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 6.6% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 144 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 2 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

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

Taree faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups, with private health cover at approximately 46% of the total population (around 9,821 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 11.8% and 11.2% of residents respectively, while 55.8% report no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW.

Working-age individuals face substantial health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. As of 2021, 25.9% of Taree's population is aged 65 and over (5,549 people), higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some difficulties, generally aligning with national rankings.

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

Taree's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.2% of its population being Australian citizens, 90.8% born in Australia, and 95.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Taree, making up 57.4% of people, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestral groups are Australian (32.7%), English (31.7%), and Australian Aboriginal (8.5%).

Notably, Lebanese and Filipino ethnicities show higher representation in Taree than regionally: Lebanese at 0.2% versus 0.2%, and Filipino at 0.8% versus 0.6%.

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

Taree's median age is 45 years, which is slightly higher than Regional NSW's median of 43 years and considerably older than Australia's national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Regional NSW average, Taree has a notably over-represented cohort of individuals aged 75-84 (9.8% locally), while those aged 35-44 are under-represented (10.8%). Between 2021 and present, the population of individuals aged 15-24 increased from 10.8% to 12.0%, while the cohort aged 35-44 grew from 9.8% to 10.8%. Conversely, the population aged 65-74 decreased from 13.3% to 12.3%. Demographic modeling indicates that Taree's age profile will significantly evolve by 2041. The cohort aged 45-54 is projected to expand notably, with an increase of 355 people (16%) from 2,193 to 2,549. Conversely, population declines are projected for the cohorts aged 65-74 and 55-64.