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 is 13,606 as of November 2025. This figure reflects a growth of 810 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 12,796. The increase is inferred from ABS estimated resident population of 13,466 in June 2024 and an additional 343 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 its SA4 region (4.7%) and non-metro area, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 75.7% to 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 from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Wauchope is forecasted to have a population increase of 3,975 persons, reflecting an overall growth rate of 28.2% over the 17-year period.

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

Wauchope has approved approximately 85 residential properties annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, a total of 429 homes were approved, with an additional 4 granted approval in FY-26 to date. On average, around 2.9 people moved to the area per new home constructed over these five financial years, indicating strong demand that may support property values.

The average expected construction cost value for new homes was $320,000 during this period. This year alone, Wauchope has registered $17.2 million in commercial approvals, suggesting moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Wauchope has 15.0% less new development per person but ranks among the 59th percentile nationally when measured by areas assessed.

New building activity consists mainly of standalone homes (78.0%) with townhouses or apartments making up the remainder (22.0%), preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. There are approximately 259 people per dwelling approval in Wauchope, indicating potential for growth. By 2041, the location is projected to grow by 3,833 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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 that could affect the region. Notable ones 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 likely to be relevant.

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

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

Wauchope's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.5% as of June 2014.

In June 2025, the unemployment rate fell to 3%, 0.7 percentage points below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Wauchope was similar to Rest of NSW at 56.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction employment is particularly high, at 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 2.4% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data showing fewer working residents than residents overall. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.2%, labour force grew by 0.9%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1% over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wauchope's employment mix suggests potential local growth of approximately 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

Wauchope's median income among taxpayers was $43,832 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $54,332 during the same period. In comparison, Rest of NSW's median and average incomes were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on a 12.61% growth in wages since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest Wauchope's median income is approximately $49,359 and the average is around $61,183 as of September 2025. 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 (4,177 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, which is similar to the regional trend where this income 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 dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 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 less at $360 than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise the remaining 24.7%, with lone person households at 22.3% and group households making up 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% substantially below the NSW average of 32.2%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 10.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 45.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (34.3%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.8% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education. Wauchope's four schools have a combined enrollment reaching 1,504 students while the area demonstrates varied educational conditions across Wauchope. Education provision is balanced with three primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents (11.1) fall below the regional average (14.2), with some students likely attending 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. These include train and bus services. There are 82 different routes operating in total.

Each week, these routes provide 795 passenger trips combined. The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 315 meters. On average, there are 113 trips daily across all routes, which equals about six weekly trips per individual 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 high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Only approximately 47% (6,422 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.2%) and mental health issues (9.8%). A total of 61.7% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 59.9%. Wauchope has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.1% (3,002 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 28.7%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but perform better than the general population in 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 had a cultural diversity level below average, with 91.5% of its population born in Australia and 93.1% being citizens. English was the language spoken at home by 97.8% of residents. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 57.3% of people, slightly lower than the 57.5% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.3%), English (32.9%), and Irish (7.8%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 5.6%, compared to the regional average of 3.8%. Maltese and Maori populations were also slightly higher than the regional averages, 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 Rest of NSW and exceeding the national average of 38. The age profile indicates that those aged 5-14 are notably prominent at 13.5%, while the 25-34 group is relatively smaller at 10.7% compared to Rest of NSW. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 35-44 age group has increased from 10.5% to 11.4% of the population. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 12.4% to 11.6%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Wauchope's age structure, with the 25-34 group expected to grow by 42%, reaching 2,078 people from its current figure of 1,461.