Taree

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

As of November 2025, Taree's population is approximately 21,467, marking a 344-person increase from the 2021 Census figure of 21,123. This growth rate of 1.6% reflects ABS estimated resident population data for June 2024 (21,415) and validated new addresses since the Census date. Taree's population density is around 171 persons per square kilometer. The area's 1.6% growth since the Census places it within 2.2 percentage points of its SA3 area's growth rate of 3.8%. Overseas migration contributed about 57.2% of recent population gains in Taree. 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 employs NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 using a 2021 base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Taree is projected to increase by approximately 1,191 persons, reflecting a 5.3% total growth over the 17-year period.

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, 29 approvals have been recorded. The average rate of new residents per new home in Taree was around 0.9 per year between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $452,000.

In FY-26, there have been $47.5 million in commercial approvals, suggesting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to the rest of NSW, Taree has significantly less development activity, with 51.0% fewer approvals per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, which is also below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development in Taree consists of 61.0% detached houses and 39.0% medium to high-density housing, showing an expanding range of housing options. This shift from the current 81.0% houses indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles and demand for more diverse, affordable housing options. The area has an estimated 586 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Taree is projected to gain 1,139 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Taree has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects that could affect this region. Notable initiatives include Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2, Manning Health and Taree CBD Precinct Plan, Taree Station Rail Infrastructure Upgrades, Bushland Drive Retail Premises Development. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Taree faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Taree has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of 7.4%, and stable employment over the past year. As of June 2025, 8,564 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.8% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation in Taree lags at 45.6%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Health care & social assistance is particularly specialized, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. Public administration & safety, however, is under-represented at 4.0% compared to Rest of NSW's 7.5%.

Many residents may commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.1%, labour force grew by 0.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1%, labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National forecasts from May-25 project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 14.3% over ten years. Applying these projections to Taree's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, assuming population projections remain constant for illustrative purposes.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022, Taree SA2 had median income among taxpayers at $41,339 with average income standing at $50,366. This is lower than national averages which were $49,459 and $62,998 for Rest of NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% from financial year ended June 2022 to September 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $46,552 and average income at $56,717 by that date. From the Census conducted in August 2021, incomes in Taree fell between 4th and 7th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The $400 - $799 earnings band captured 30.6% of Taree's population (6,568 individuals), differing from metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominated at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures were 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 a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Taree's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Non-Metro NSW had 87.7% houses and 12.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Taree was at 39.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.3% and rented ones at 34.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Taree was $1,300, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent figure for Taree was $290, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. 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 fairly typical 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 aligns with the average in the Rest of NSW.

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 - advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 31.9%. Educational participation is high, with 28.2% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.1% in primary, 8.1% in secondary, and 2.0% in tertiary education.

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

Taree has 434 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 62 individual routes, collectively providing 1,055 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 127 meters, indicating excellent transport accessibility.

Service frequency averages 150 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 2 weekly trips per stop.

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, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 46% (~9,917 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical issues are arthritis (11.8%) and mental health problems (11.2%), while 55.8% claim to be free from ailments, compared to 57.7% in Rest of NSW. Taree has 25.9% (5,553 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the 30.4% in Rest of NSW. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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, born in Australia (90.8%) and speaking English only at home (95.4%). The predominant religion in Taree is Christianity, practiced by 57.4%, slightly lower than the Rest of NSW's 57.6%. Regarding ancestry, Australians make up 32.7% of Taree's population, followed by English (31.7%) and Australian Aboriginal (8.5%).

Notably, Lebanese residents comprise 0.2% in Taree compared to 0.1% regionally, while Filipino residents are at 0.8% versus the regional average of 0.5%.

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

Taree's median age is 46, which is higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and significantly higher than Australia's national norm of 38. The 75-84 age group comprises 9.7% of Taree's population, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 35-44 cohort makes up 10.6%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 10.8% to 11.8%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 13.3% to 12.3%. By 2041, Taree's age composition is expected to shift significantly. The 25-34 group is projected to grow by 17%, adding 396 people and reaching a total of 2,734 from the current 2,337. Meanwhile, the 65-74 and 55-64 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.