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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Wauchope's population is around 13,756 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 960 people (7.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,796 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,464 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 353 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 70 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Wauchope's 7.5% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of NSW (5.9%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which contributed approximately 75.7% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers, including natural growth and overseas migration, were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of national regional areas is forecast, with the area expected to grow by 3,975 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 26.8% in total over the 17 years.

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

Wauchope has recorded around 85 residential properties granted approval annually, with 429 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 23 so far in FY-26. With an average of 2.9 people per year moving to the area per new home constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), indicating healthy demand that should support property values, new homes are being built at an average value of $320,000. Additionally, $17.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development.

When measured against the Rest of NSW, Wauchope has 15.0% less new development (per person) while it places among the 58th percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity shows 78.0% standalone homes and 22.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 259 people per dwelling approval, indicating room for growth.

Looking ahead, Wauchope is expected to grow by 3,683 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). 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 27thth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 14 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Beechwood Road Upgrade Stage 6 including Steels Bridge Wauchope, The Sanctuary Port Macquarie, Thrumster Business Park, and Sovereign Place Town Centre, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.4%, Wauchope has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Wauchope has a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with essential services sectors well represented, and an unemployment rate of only 3.4%. As of December 2025, 6,369 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 0.5% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation is broadly similar to Regional NSW's 61.3%. Based on Census responses, a low 10.8% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The key industries of employment among residents are health care and social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area has a particular employment specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. In contrast, agriculture, forestry and fishing employs just 2.4% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 5.3%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, during the year to December 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.1% while employment declined by 1.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional NSW, where employment contracted by 1.2%, the labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Wauchope. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Wauchope's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

The Wauchope SA2's income level is below the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. The Wauchope SA2's median income among taxpayers is $46,739 and the average income stands at $55,722, compared to figures for Regional NSW of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $50,880 (median) and $60,659 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Wauchope all fall between the 19th and 24th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 30.7% of residents (4,223 people), aligning with the region where this cohort likewise represents 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 24th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure within Wauchope, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 91.3% houses and 8.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Wauchope was in line with that of Regional NSW, at 41.4%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (34.9%) or rented (23.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was in line with the Regional NSW average at $1,733, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $360, compared to Regional NSW's $1,733 and $330. Nationally, Wauchope's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 75.3% of all households, comprising 28.9% couples with children, 31.4% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 24.7%, with lone person households at 22.3% and group households comprising 2.5% of the total. The median household size of 2.6 people is 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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (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, including 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.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 131 active transport stops operating within Wauchope, comprising a mix of trains and buses. These stops are serviced by 80 individual routes, collectively providing 726 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 315 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 96%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling. A relatively low 10.8% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 103 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

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

Wauchope faces significant health challenges, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~6,520 people). This compares to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The national average is 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 10.2 and 9.8% of residents, respectively, while 61.7% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (3,034 people), which is lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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 was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 91.5% of its population born in Australia, 93.1% being citizens, and 97.8% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Wauchope is Christianity, which makes up 57.3% of people in Wauchope, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Wauchope are Australian, comprising 34.3% of the population, English, comprising 32.9% of the population, and Irish, comprising 7.8% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal is notably overrepresented at 5.6% of Wauchope (vs 4.6% regionally), Maltese at 0.5% (vs 0.4%) and Maori at 0.4% (vs 0.3%).

Wauchope's median age exceeds the national pattern

At 42 years, Wauchope's median age is similar to the Regional NSW average of 43 while considerably older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows 5 - 14 year-olds are particularly prominent (13.3%), while the 65 - 74 group is comparatively smaller (11.6%) than in Regional NSW. In the period since 2021, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 11.3% to 12.3% of the population, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 10.5% to 11.5%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.5% to 11.6%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Wauchope. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 37%, adding 564 residents to reach 2,078. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort grows by a modest 8% (137 people).