Tenterfield
Statistical Area - sa2

Tenterfield has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Tenterfield's population is approximately 7,209 as of August 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 399 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,810. The growth can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,086 in June 2024 and an additional 205 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density ratio of 1.0 persons per square kilometer. Tenterfield's population growth rate of 5.9% since the 2021 Census exceeded both its SA3 area (2.7%) and SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 83.0% 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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends indicate a projected decline by 603 persons by 2041, with specific age cohorts expected to grow, notably the 85 and over age group by 199 people.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Tenterfield recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Tenterfield has seen approximately 33 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 167 homes approved over the past five financial years from FY20 to FY25, and 8 approved so far in FY26. On average, 1.6 new residents per year have been associated with each dwelling constructed during these years. This indicates a balanced supply and demand market, supporting stable conditions for housing.

The average construction cost of new homes is $400,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. In the current financial year, there has been $3.7 million in commercial development approvals recorded, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Tenterfield shows 90.0% higher building activity per person, providing buyers with ample choice. However, development activity has moderated recently.

All recent development has consisted of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 254 people per dwelling approval, Tenterfield exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. Given the expected stability or decline in population, there should be reduced pressure on housing in Tenterfield, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Tenterfield has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

The performance of an area is greatly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones include the Molesworth Street Bridge Replacement and Sewer Line Relocation project, the Tenterfield Heavy Vehicle Bypass project, the Haddington Aged Care Community Expansion project, and the Mt Lindesay Road Upgrade - Legume to Woodenbong project. The following list provides details on those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis indicates Tenterfield maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Tenterfield's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with diverse sectors represented. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 3.2%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.6% over the past year.

This rate is 0.4% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Tenterfield lags at 44.6% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%, with 3,185 residents employed. Leading employment industries are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Tenterfield specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 4.2 times the regional level, but under-represents health care & social assistance at 11.9% compared to Rest of NSW's 16.9%.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 4.6%, labour force grew by 3.5%, and unemployment fell by 1.0 percentage points in Tenterfield. Conversely, 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 to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.3%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, with employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tenterfield's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.5% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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

Tenterfield's median taxpayer income was $34,208 and average income was $42,367 in financial year 2022, according to AreaSearch aggregated ATO postcode level data. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of NSW having a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% from financial year 2022 to March 2025, current estimates would be approximately $37,834 (median) and $46,858 (average). Census data shows that incomes in Tenterfield fall between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $400 - 799 captures 34.0% of Tenterfield's community (2,451 individuals), contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. The concentration of 46.2% in sub-$800 weekly brackets highlights economic challenges facing a significant portion of Tenterfield's community. Housing costs are modest, with 88.4% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 4th percentile nationally.

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

The latest Census showed that Tenterfield's dwellings were 95.5% houses and 4.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 93.0% houses and 6.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tenterfield was at 58.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.3% and rented ones at 19.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,100. The median weekly rent in Tenterfield was $240, matching Non-Metro NSW's figure. Nationally, Tenterfield's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 61.6% of all households, including 16.1% couples with children, 35.2% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.4%, with lone person households at 35.5% and group households making up 2.9%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

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

Tenterfield faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 15.6%, significantly below the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificates at 29.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.6% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education. There are six schools operating within Tenterfield, educating approximately 616 students. The educational provision is balanced with five primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents stand at 8.6, below the regional average of 13.2, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Transport analysis in Tenterfield shows 326 active public transport stops, all of which are bus services. These stops are covered by 28 different routes that together offer 293 weekly passenger trips. The town's transport accessibility is considered good, with residents on average located 316 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 41 trips per day across all routes, which equals roughly 0 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Tenterfield faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. The private health cover rate stands at approximately 46%, covering around 3,330 people, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent conditions in the area, impacting 13.5% and 9.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 58.3% of Tenterfield residents report no medical ailments, compared to 61.0% across Rest of NSW. The population aged 65 and over comprises 33.0%, totaling 2,376 people, which is higher than the 27.4% in Rest of NSW.

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

Tenterfield's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.1% of its population being citizens and 90.3% born in Australia. English was spoken as the only language at home by 96.8%. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 59.9%, compared to 64.8% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.5%), Australian (28.3%), and Irish (11.2%). Notably, German ancestry was overrepresented at 5.6% in Tenterfield versus 3.9% regionally, Scottish at 9.3% versus 8.4%, and Australian Aboriginal at 5.1% versus 6.4%.

Tenterfield ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Tenterfield's median age is 55 years, which is higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and also older than the national norm of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 19.2% of the population, compared to 9.4% nationally. Meanwhile, the 25-34 group makes up only 6.4%, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average. Between 2021 and now, the 0-4 age group has grown from 3.9% to 5.7%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 9.3% to 10.5%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 17.5% to 16.1%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 20.4% to 19.2%. By 2041, demographic projections show that the 85+ age cohort is expected to rise substantially, increasing by 184 people (80%) from 231 to 416. This aging trend continues as residents aged 65 and older represent all of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25-34 and 5-14 age cohorts.