Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah

Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah 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, Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah's population is around 17,152 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 2,132 people (14.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,020 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 16,615 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 757 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 47 persons per square kilometer. Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah's growth exceeded the non-metro area (5.1%) and the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 73.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. A significant population increase is forecast for the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas. The area is expected to expand by 7,211 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 38.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah has seen approximately 224 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 1,120 homes. As of FY-26, 72 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 new residents arrive per new home each year between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand. However, this has intensified to 4.6 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply. The average construction value of development projects is $239,000, lower than regional levels, offering more affordable housing choices for buyers.

This financial year has seen $101.8 million in commercial approvals, reflecting high local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah has 136.0% more new home approvals per person, providing ample choice for buyers despite recent easing in construction activity. This activity is above national averages, indicating strong developer confidence in the area. New development consists of 70.0% detached dwellings and 30.0% attached dwellings, expanding medium-density options across various price brackets. This marks a significant change from the current housing mix, which is currently 96.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands. With around 148 people per dwelling approval, Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah exhibits characteristics of a growth area.

Future projections estimate an addition of 6,674 residents by 2041, with current development well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

The performance of a region is significantly impacted by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 31 such projects that could potentially affect this area. Notable among these are Stockton Rifle Range Development - Fern Bay, Medowie Precinct F Residential Development, The Gardens Medowie, and Medowie New High School. The following list provides more details on those projects likely to have the most relevance.

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 3.1%, Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 3.1%. As of September 2025, there are 7,825 employed residents, below the Rest of NSW's unemployment rate by 0.7% (3.8%).

Workforce participation is similar to the region at 60.7%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and construction. The area specialises in public administration & safety with an employment share 1.6 times regional levels, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 1.7% compared to the region's 5.3%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

Over a year, labour force decreased by 2.2%, employment by 1.8%, reducing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points, contrasting with Rest of NSW's trends. State-level data (to 25-Nov) shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National forecasts project employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections vary based on industry-specific growth rates.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah SA2 has median income of $52,518 and average income of $64,307. This compares to Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes are approximately $59,141 (median) and $72,416 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly in Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah, between the 39th and 51st percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 34.8% of the population (5,968 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 15.3% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 52nd percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah, as per the latest Census, 95.9% of dwellings were houses, with 4.1% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 81.1% houses and 18.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in the area stood at 36.5%, lower than Non-Metro NSW's rate. Mortgaged dwellings accounted for 42.6%, while rented ones made up 20.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,900, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent was $400, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $360 and the national figure of $375.

Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 79.4% of all households, including 36.1% couples with children, 30.8% couples without children, and 11.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 20.6%, with lone person households at 18.9% and group households comprising 1.7%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 14.4%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 46.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (35.1%). Educational participation is high, with 29.9% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (11.4%), secondary (8.5%), and tertiary (3.3%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis indicates 266 active public transport stops in Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes totaling 130 individual services, facilitating 1,596 weekly passenger trips collectively. Transport accessibility is rated good with residents typically located 214 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 228 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately six weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups show high prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is more prevalent here than the average SA2 area, at approximately 52% (~8,901 people), compared to 49.3% across Rest of NSW. Mental health issues affect 10.1% of residents, while arthritis impacts 10.0%. A total of 62.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 59.3% in Rest of NSW. The area has 19.8% (3,397 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the 28.1% in Rest of NSW. Senior health outcomes align with general population's health profile.

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

Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah showed lower cultural diversity, with 90.3% of its population born in Australia, 93.2% being citizens, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 55.3% of people, compared to 57.4% across Rest of NSW. The top ancestry groups were Australian (33.8%), English (31.1%), and Scottish (7.7%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 5.2%, Maltese at 0.7%, and Welsh at 0.6%.

Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah is 40 years, which is slightly below the Rest of NSW average of 43 but above the Australian median of 38. The proportion of individuals aged 5-14 in Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah is notably higher at 13.5% compared to the Rest of NSW average, while those aged 85 and over are under-represented at 1.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of individuals aged 75-84 has increased from 5.7% to 6.7%, whereas the proportion of those aged 5-14 has decreased from 14.9% to 13.5%. Population projections for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the 25-34 age group expected to grow substantially by 1,116 people (61%), reaching a total of 2,933 individuals.