Wauchope

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

AreaSearch indicates that Wauchope has a population of approximately 13,842 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,046 residents (8.2%) from the 12,796 recorded in the 2021 Census. The calculation is based on the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 13,754 plus 369 validated new addresses added since the Census. With a density of 71 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers ample space per resident and opportunity for expansion. The growth rate of 8.2% since the 2021 Census outpaced the Rest of NSW (4.9%) and its broader SA4 region, establishing Wauchope as a regional growth leader. This expansion was largely powered by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 67.1% of the population increase, though natural increase and overseas migration also made positive contributions.

For each SA2 district, AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, or NSW State Government SA2 projections published in 2022 with a 2021 baseline where ABS data is unavailable. Age group growth rates derived from these sources are extended to project figures from 2032 to 2041. Future expectations point to significant growth placing Wauchope in the top quartile of regional areas nationwide, with projections showing an increase of 3,530 residents by 2041 based on recent annual ERP statistics, representing a overall expansion of 24.9% across the 16 years.

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

Wauchope averages approximately 85 residential building approvals each year, with 429 residential dwellings approved over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and an additional 40 approvals registered during FY-26. The ratio of new residents to new home construction stood at 2.9 people per completed dwelling over the past 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, pointing to healthy demand that supports local housing values, while the average construction cost for these new homes is $320,000. Additionally, commercial development is moving at a moderate pace, with $17.2 million in commercial building approvals recorded in the current financial year.

Wauchope lags the Rest of NSW in per-capita new development by 16.0%, placing it in the 58th percentile of all examined locations nationally. The composition of new residential building activity consists of 78.0% standalone houses and 22.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the low-density landscape and targeting buyers looking for detached properties. There are approximately 263 residents for every single dwelling approval, suggesting substantial capacity for future development.

Projections indicate that Wauchope is on track to add 3,442 residents by 2041 according to the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, the supply of housing may fall short of population demands, which could heighten buyer competition and drive up property prices.

Wauchope has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 26thth percentile nationally

Local performance is highly dependent on changes to infrastructure, major projects, and planning frameworks. AreaSearch has identified a total of 14 projects likely to influence the area. Key developments include Beechwood Road Upgrade Stage 6 including Steels Bridge Wauchope, The Sanctuary Port Macquarie, Thrumster Business Park, and Sovereign Place Town Centre, with the most relevant projects detailed in the list below.

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

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.6%, Wauchope has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

The local workforce is evenly distributed between white-collar and blue-collar roles, with a strong presence in essential services and a low unemployment rate of 3.6%. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 6,231, representing an unemployment rate 0.5% lower than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%. Workforce participation is slightly low at 57.9%, compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census data indicates that a modest 10.8% of the workforce worked from home, though these figures may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction shows a strong local concentration, with employment share reaching 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 2.4% of the local workforce, which is lower than the 5.3% average for Regional NSW. A comparison of the local Census working population against the resident workforce suggests that local employment opportunities within the area are somewhat restricted.

Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch reveals that during the twelve months leading to March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 3.4% and total employment fell by 3.6%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Regional NSW saw employment decline by 0.9%, the labour force shrink by 0.4%, and unemployment increase by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections from May-25 offer additional context on future labor needs in Wauchope. These projections, spanning five and ten years, have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate future trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rate of change varies by industry sector. Applying these national sector trends to the employment structure of Wauchope indicates local employment could grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighted allocation for demonstration that excludes local population projections.

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

Taxpayer statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place Wauchope SA2's household incomes below the national benchmark. Taxpayers in Wauchope SA2 recorded a median income of $46,739 and an average income of $55,722, compared to $52,390 and $65,215 respectively for Regional NSW. Adjusting these figures for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $51,562 for median income and $61,473 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in Wauchope rank between the 19th and 24th percentiles nationally. The largest earnings segment is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which includes 30.7% of residents (4,249 people), closely mirroring the Regional NSW share of 29.9%. Affordability is a major challenge, as residents retain only 83.4% of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the 24th percentile.

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

According to the most recent Census, the housing profile of Wauchope consists of 91.3% standalone houses and 8.7% other housing types like semi-detached dwellings and apartments, compared to Regional NSW where standalone houses account for 82.6% and other types make up 17.4%. Home ownership rates in Wauchope match Regional NSW at 41.4%, while mortgaged homes account for 34.9% and rental properties make up 23.6%. The median monthly mortgage payment of Wauchope residents is $1,733, matching the Regional NSW median, while the median weekly rent is $360, compared to Regional NSW's $1,733 and $330. Nationally, mortgage costs in Wauchope are below the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national median of $375.

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

Family households constitute the majority of local households at 75.3%, consisting of couples with children at 28.9%, couples without children at 31.4%, and single parents at 14.2%. Non-family households comprise the remaining 24.7%, with single-person households representing 22.3% and group households making up 2.5%. The median size of local households is 2.6 residents, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

Educational profiles present challenges for the area, where the university qualification rate of 14.1% sits well below the NSW state average of 32.2%. This gap highlights a key area for targeted educational development. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 10.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 45.0% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational credential, split between advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificate qualifications at 34.3%.

Student numbers are high throughout the community, with 29.3% of Wauchope residents currently participating in formal study. This student population includes 10.8% enrolled in primary schools, 8.9% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary studies.

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

Analysis of the local transit network shows 131 active public transport stops in Wauchope, consisting of a combination of train and bus services. These stops are served by 80 unique routes, which provide a total of 726 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is good, with residents living an average of 315 meters from the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, and 96% of commuters travel out of the area using private vehicles. Household car ownership averages 1.6 vehicles. A low 10.8% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

Service frequency averages 103 daily trips across all routes, which is equivalent to approximately 5 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 closest transit stops to the central point of Wauchope.

Health performance in Wauchope is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Wauchope faces prominent health challenges according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality and chronic illness data, with health issues observed across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance rates are very low at roughly 47% of the population (~6,561 people). This compares to a rate of 51.9% across Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent medical issues, affecting 10.2 and 9.8% of the local population, respectively. Meanwhile, 61.7% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic illness rates are elevated among the working-age population. Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.8% of the population (3,154 people), and health outcomes for this senior cohort align closely with national benchmarks.

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 exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity, with 91.5% of the population born in Australia, 93.1% holding citizenship, and 97.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 57.3% of Wauchope residents, compared to 55.9% of residents across Regional NSW.

In terms of family heritage, the three most common ancestries in Wauchope are Australian at 34.3%, English at 32.9%, and Irish at 7.8%. There are notable differences in specific ethnic representations compared to the wider region: Australian Aboriginal residents account for 5.6% of Wauchope compared to 4.6% regionally, Maltese heritage stands at 0.5% compared to 0.4%, and Maori heritage is 0.4% compared to 0.3%.

Wauchope's median age exceeds the national pattern

Wauchope has a median age of 43, which matches the Regional NSW median of 43 and sits above the national median of 38. The age distribution shows a high proportion of children aged 5 - 14 at 13.1%, while the 25 - 34 cohort is smaller at 10.6% compared to Regional NSW. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 11.3% to 12.4%, while the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.9% to 13.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate shifts in Wauchope's age profile, led by a 33% increase (539 people) in the 45 to 54 cohort, which will grow from 1,633 to 2,173. By contrast, the 15 to 24 age group is projected to see minimal growth of 6% (108 people).