Wauchope
Statistical Area - sa2

Wauchope lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Wauchope's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 13,601. This figure represents a growth of 805 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,796. The increase is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 13,464 in June 2024 and an additional 342 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density of 69 persons per square kilometer. Wauchope's growth rate of 6.3% since the 2021 Census exceeds that of its SA4 region (4.6%) and non-metro areas, indicating it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed about 75.7% to recent population gains, with all drivers showing positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. Future trends indicate significant population growth in the top quartile of national regional areas, with Wauchope expected to grow by 3,975 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 28.2% over 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Wauchope among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Wauchope has recorded approximately 85 residential properties granted approval annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, a total of 429 homes were approved, with an additional 3 approved so far in FY-26. Over these five financial years, the area saw an average of 2.9 people moving to the area per new home constructed, indicating healthy demand for housing.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes was $396,000, aligning with regional trends. In terms of commercial development, $17.2 million in approvals have been registered this financial year, suggesting balanced activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Wauchope shows 15.0% lower construction activity per person but ranks among the 59th percentile nationally.

The new building activity comprises 78.0% standalone homes and 22.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. As of now, there are approximately 259 people per dwelling approval, indicating potential for growth. Looking ahead, Wauchope is projected to grow by 3,838 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Wauchope has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 21stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 projects likely to affect the area. Notable projects include Beechwood Road Upgrade Stage 6 including Steels Bridge Wauchope, The Sanctuary Port Macquarie, Thrumster Business Park, and Sovereign Place Town Centre. Below is a list of those most relevant.

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

Wauchope has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Wauchope has a balanced workforce with representation across white and blue collar jobs. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Employment specialization is notably high in construction, at 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 2.4% of local workers, lower than Rest of NSW's 5.3%. As of June 2025, 6,393 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.5%, 0.2% below Rest of NSW's rate. Workforce participation is similar to the regional average at 56.4%.

Over the past year, employment levels increased by 0.2%, while labour force grew by 0.9%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1% and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.5%, with employment growth at 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wauchope's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Wauchope's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $43,832. The average income stood at $54,332 during the same period. For comparison, Rest of NSW's median and average incomes were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. By March 2025, estimates suggest Wauchope's median income will be approximately $48,478 and the average income $60,091, based on a 10.6% growth in wages since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Wauchope fall between the 20th and 24th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis shows that 30.7% of residents (4,175 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, which is similar to the regional trend where this bracket represents 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Wauchope, with only 83.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 24th percentile nationally.

Wauchope is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Wauchope's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 91.3% houses and 8.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wauchope stood at 41.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.9% and rented ones at 23.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. Median weekly rent was $360, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $375. Nationally, Wauchope's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $360 than the national figure of $375.

Wauchope has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 75.3% of all households, including 28.9% couples with children, 31.4% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.7%, with lone person households at 22.3% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Wauchope fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 14.1%, significantly lower than 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 10.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 45.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (34.3%).

Educational participation is high at 29.3%, including primary education (10.8%), secondary education (8.9%), and tertiary education (2.5%). Wauchope's four schools have a combined enrollment of 1,504 students. Education provision is balanced with three primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents are at 11.1, below the regional average of 14.2, 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

Wauchope has 121 active public transport stops, served by a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 82 individual routes, offering a total of 795 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 315 meters to the nearest stop.

On average, there are 113 daily trips across all routes, equating to roughly six weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Wauchope is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Wauchope faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Only approximately 47% of its total population (~6,419 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions in Wauchope are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 10.2 and 9.8% of residents respectively. However, 61.7% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW's 59.9%. As of August 2021, Wauchope has 22.1% of its population aged 65 and over (3,001 people), lower than the Rest of NSW's 28.7%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Wauchope show some challenges but perform better than the general population in terms of health metrics.

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

Wauchope's population, as per the 2016 Census, showed low cultural diversity with 91.5% born in Australia, 93.1% being citizens, and 97.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 57.3%. This figure is close to the Rest of NSW's 57.5%.

The top three ancestral groups were Australian (34.3%), English (32.9%), and Irish (7.8%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal people were more represented in Wauchope at 5.6% compared to the regional average of 3.8%, while Maltese and Maori communities were also slightly higher at 0.5% and 0.4% respectively.

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

Wauchope has a median age of 43, matching the Rest of NSW figure and exceeding the national average of 38. The age profile shows that individuals aged 5-14 make up 13.5% of the population, while those aged 25-34 comprise only 10.7%. According to the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 10.5% to 11.4% of the population. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has decreased from 12.4% to 11.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Wauchope's age structure. Notably, the 25 to 34 group is projected to grow by 42%, reaching 2,078 people from its current total of 1,460.