Tenambit - East Maitland

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

According to the latest research by AreaSearch, the community of Tenambit - East Maitland has a population of approximately 10,538 as of May 2026. This represents a expansion of 447 people (4.4%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 10,091 people. This population shift is calculated utilizing the ABS estimated resident population of 10,532 from June 2025 alongside 200 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The current population translates to a density of 609 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and space for future development. Over the last ten years, Tenambit - East Maitland has shown steady progress with a 1.1% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the Rest of NSW. The population expansion was mostly driven by natural increase, which accounted for roughly 58.9% of the growth, although other factors such as overseas and interstate migration also made positive contributions.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for every SA2 region, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are implemented. The age cohort growth rates from these projections are applied to all areas for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Future demographic forecasts point to above-average population growth compared to non-metropolitan areas across the nation, with the local population expected to increase by 2,302 persons by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP figures, representing a 21.8% rise over 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Tenambit - East Maitland when compared nationally

The locality of Tenambit - East Maitland has registered an average of approximately 38 new home approvals annually, resulting in 193 dwellings approved over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 23 during the current FY-26 period. An average of 2.8 people moved to the locality per new residence constructed over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demonstrating strong demand that supports local property values. Newly constructed homes average an estimated cost of $232,000, which is lower than the regional standard and indicates more budget-friendly construction options. Furthermore, commercial approvals stand at $496,000 for the current financial year, highlighting a focus that remains primarily residential.

Compared against the Rest of NSW, Tenambit - East Maitland exhibits a lower level of building activity, sitting 69.0% below the regional average on a per-person basis. This limited supply of new dwellings generally supports demand and values for pre-existing houses. New residential construction consists of 68.0% detached houses and 32.0% attached dwellings, indicating an increasing supply of medium-density choices that provide options across different price ranges, from standard family homes to more affordable smaller properties. The ratio of 421 people per home approval highlights the quiet nature of local construction activity.

Demographic projections indicate that Tenambit - East Maitland will experience an increase of 2,296 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. With the current pace of construction, the local housing supply may struggle to satisfy this population increase, which could intensify competition among buyers and support upward pressure on prices.

Tenambit - East Maitland has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning changes are critical drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has tracked 16 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include the Maitland Mental Health Rehabilitation Project, the East Maitland Catalyst Area Structure Plan, Chisholm Plaza, and the Stockland Green Hills Expansion, with specific details provided for the most significant projects.

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

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AreaSearch analysis indicates Tenambit - East Maitland maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Tenambit - East Maitland features a capable workforce with strong representation in critical public services, an unemployment rate of just 3.7%, and an estimated job growth rate of 2.3% over the prior year. In March 2026, there were 4,804 employed residents, with the local unemployment rate sitting 0.5% below the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while the participation rate remains lower than the benchmark (57.6% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW). According to Census statistics, a moderate 22.8% of the local workforce performed their duties from home, although this figure may be influenced by pandemic lockdown measures.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are healthcare & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The local workforce is heavily concentrated in mining, with a share that is 2.2 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing represents a minor component of local employment at 1.1% compared to 5.3% across the region. Comparison of the Census working population against the resident workforce suggests that local job opportunities within the suburb are relatively limited.

Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch indicates that during the 12 months leading to March 2026, the number of employed residents rose by 2.3% while the overall labor force grew by 1.5%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 0.8 percentage points. This positive trend contrasts with Regional NSW, which experienced a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% decline in the labor force, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from May-25 published by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding prospective employment demand in Tenambit - East Maitland. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry profile to project future employment trends. While overall national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expansion rates vary widely across different sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to the local workforce structure indicates that employment in Tenambit - East Maitland is projected to rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted projection for visualization and does not integrate localized demographic forecasts.

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

According to the most recent postcode ATO data released for financial year 2023, the median income for taxpayers in the Tenambit - East Maitland SA2 is $58,168, with an average income of $73,407. These figures exceed national standards, and compare to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to approximately $64,171 for the median and $80,983 for the average as of March 2026. Census statistics show that household, family, and individual incomes are relatively modest in the area, falling between the 30th and 37th percentiles. The local income profile is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, which contains 30.1% of residents (3,171 people), mirroring the regional trend where 29.9% of the population falls into the same bracket. Housing affordability presents a major challenge, with residents retaining only 82.8% of their income, placing the area in the 28th percentile, while the SEIFA income index ranks the suburb in the 4th decile.

Tenambit - East Maitland 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 mix in Tenambit - East Maitland consisted of 80.2% separate houses and 19.8% alternative dwellings (such as townhouses, units, or other types of housing), compared to 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% alternative dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership rates in Tenambit - East Maitland were lower than the Regional NSW average, standing at 35.6%, with the remaining properties being held under a mortgage (34.5%) or rented (29.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,733 matched the regional average, whereas the median weekly rent was $360, compared to regional figures of $1,733 and $330 respectively. On a national level, monthly mortgage outlays are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also below the national average of $375.

Tenambit - East Maitland has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 68.7%, consisting of couples with children at 25.8%, couples without children at 28.2%, and single-parent households at 13.8%. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.3% of the total, with single-person households representing 29.4% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household occupancy is 2.4 people, aligning with the Regional NSW standard.

Educational outcomes in Tenambit - East Maitland fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The suburb faces some educational hurdles, with university graduation rates of 19.6% sitting far below the NSW state average of 32.2%. This gap highlights a need for targeted educational programs. Among tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.5%) and certificates (29.7%).

Enrolment rates in education are high, with 27.0% of the local population currently undertaking formal study. This student cohort includes 9.7% of residents in primary school, 7.1% in high school, and 3.8% enrolled in tertiary institutions.

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

Analysis of local transit options shows 118 active public transport stops in Tenambit - East Maitland, offering a combination of rail and bus services. These stops support 99 different routes, which provide 4,726 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is high, with the average distance from a residence to a transit stop being 138 meters. Because the suburb is primarily residential, most workers commute outside the area, with private vehicles being the primary mode of transport at 94%. Households own an average of 1.4 cars. According to the 2021 Census, 22.8% of the workforce worked from home, which may reflect temporary pandemic restrictions.

Local transit routes average 675 daily trips, which corresponds to approximately 40 weekly departures per stop. The associated map displays the 100 closest transit stops to the central point of the area.

Health outcomes in Tenambit - East Maitland are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Health measures point to below-average statistics in Tenambit - East Maitland, based on an evaluation of local death rates and the prevalence of long-term health issues. The occurrence of typical medical conditions among the general community is average, although it is higher than the national standard for older age brackets. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is high, covering approximately 55% of the local population (~5,838 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW.

The most prevalent health issues in the suburb are mental health conditions and arthritis, which affect 11.6% and 11.2% of the population respectively. Meanwhile, 58.9% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. The local working-age demographic shows elevated rates of chronic illnesses. Residents aged 65 and over make up 23.1% of the population (2,438 people), and while health outcomes for seniors present challenges, their national ranking is better than that of the younger local population.

The latest Census data sees Tenambit - East Maitland placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Tenambit - East Maitland displays relatively low levels of cultural diversity, with 92.2% of residents born in Australia, 93.8% holding citizenship, and 97.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, representing 58.0% of the local population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

Regarding parent birthplaces, the three most common ancestries in Tenambit - East Maitland are English at 32.7%, Australian at 31.2%, and Irish at 9.2%. Certain ethnic and cultural backgrounds show higher representation locally than regionally, with Indigenous Australians making up 4.9% of the population (compared to 4.6% regionally), people of Scottish descent at 8.5% (compared to 8.0%), and those of Polish descent at 0.8% (compared to 0.5%).

Tenambit - East Maitland's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Tenambit - East Maitland is 41 years, which is slightly younger than the Regional NSW average of 43 years but older than the national median of 38 years. The 25 - 34 age bracket is highly represented at 12.5% of the population compared to Regional NSW, while the 65 - 74 age bracket is less common at 11.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 35 to 44 has increased from 12.0% to 13.0%, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 11.9% to 11.1%. Demographic projections indicate that the age profile will change by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age group projected to grow the fastest at 38%, adding 501 people to reach a total of 1,822, while the 15 to 24 cohort is expected to grow by only 7% (79 people).