Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah's population is approximately 17,061 as of August 2025. This figure shows an increase of 2,041 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,020. The growth was inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses between June 2024 (16,616) and the Census date. This results in a population density of 46 persons per square kilometer. Since 2021, Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah's growth rate of 13.6% exceeded both non-metro areas (4.8%) and its SA3 region, indicating it as a leading growth area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 73.4% to this population increase, with all factors including natural growth and overseas migration being positive contributors.

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. These projections forecast significant population growth in non-metro areas, with Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah expected to expand by 7,211 persons by 2041, indicating a total gain of 39.6% over the 17-year period.

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. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with 1,120 dwellings approved over the past five financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, and 14 recorded so far in FY-26. Over these five years, an average of 1.9 people have moved to the area per dwelling built. However, this has increased to 4.6 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing demand and tightening supply. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $369,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

Additionally, $101.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating strong local business investment. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah shows 136.0% higher construction activity per person, which should provide buyers with ample choice. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. This is significantly above the national average, suggesting robust developer interest in the area. New development consists of 70.0% standalone homes and 30.0% townhouses or apartments, expanding medium-density options and creating a mix of opportunities across price brackets. This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 96.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

With around 148 people per approval, Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah reflects a developing area. Population forecasts indicate it will gain 6,765 residents by 2041. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 31 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Stockton Rifle Range Development - Fern Bay, Medowie Precinct F Residential Development, The Gardens Medowie, and Tall Trees Estate Medowie. Below is a list of those most relevant.

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

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.4%, 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, well-represented essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. As of June 2025, 7,572 residents are employed, which is 0.3% lower than the Rest of NSW's unemployment rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation is similar to the regional average at 60.7%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and construction. The area specializes in public administration & safety with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 1.7% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.3%, and employment declined by 4.5%, leading to a rise in unemployment by 0.2 percentage points.

In NSW as of Sep-25, employment contracted by 0.41% with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Job and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project growth of approximately 6.1%% over five years and 12.9% over ten years in Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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 ending June 2022 shows median income in Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah at $52,518 and average income at $64,307. For Rest of NSW, the median was $49,459 with an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% from July 2022 to March 2025, estimated incomes are approximately $58,085 (median) and $71,124 (average). Census data reveals household incomes rank at the 43rd percentile, family incomes at the 41st, and personal incomes at the 39th in Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah. Income distribution shows 34.8% of individuals earning between $1,500 and $2,999. Housing costs consume 15.3% of income, with disposable income ranking at the 53rd percentile and SEIFA income ranking placing the area 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 evaluation, 95.9% of dwellings were houses while 4.1% consisted of semi-detached, apartments and other types, compared to Non-Metro NSW's 81.1% houses and 18.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah stood at 36.5%, with the rest being mortgaged (42.6%) or rented (20.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,900, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733 and national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure stood at $400, exceeding the Non-Metro NSW average of $360 and national average of $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for the remaining 20.6%, with lone person households at 18.9% and group households making up 1.7% of the total. 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 has lower university qualification rates at 14.4%, compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. This gap presents an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common (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 such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (35.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary, 8.5% in secondary, and 3.3% in tertiary education. The area has a robust network of 7 schools serving approximately 2,452 students, demonstrating typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 974) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 5 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. School capacity exceeds residential needs (14.4 places per 100 residents vs 11.8 regionally), indicating the area serves as an educational center for the broader region. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus.

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

The analysis indicates that there are currently 266 active public transport stops operating in the area of Williamtown - Medowie - Karuah. These stops offer a variety of bus services, with 130 individual routes collectively providing 1,596 weekly passenger trips. The report rates transport accessibility as good, with residents typically located approximately 214 meters from their nearest transport stop.

On average, service frequency is around 228 trips per day across all routes, equating to roughly 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 exhibit high prevalence rates for common health conditions.

The area has a private health cover rate of approximately 52% (~8,854 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area's 49.3%. Mental health issues affect 10.1% of residents, while arthritis impacts 10.0%. Conversely, 62.9% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 59.3% in Rest of NSW. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.8% (3,379 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 28.1%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges similar to those faced by the general population.

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 had a cultural diversity below average, with 90.3% of its population born in Australia, 93.2% being citizens, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 55.3% of people, compared to 57.4% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestral 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 is notably higher at 13.5% compared to the Rest of NSW average, while those aged 85 and above are underrepresented at 1.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 75-84 has increased from 5.7% to 6.7%, while the 5-14 age group has decreased from 14.9% to 13.5%. By 2041, significant demographic changes are projected for Williamtown-Medowie-Karuah, with the 25-34 age cohort expected to grow substantially by 62%, increasing from 1,806 to 2,933 people.