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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Yass is $775k, with units at $640k. House values have moved 4.2% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Yass has an estimated 6,914 residents, up from 6,763 at the 2021 Census — a change of 151 people, or 2.2%. 158 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Density is about 69 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
AreaSearch indicates the population of Yass stands at approximately 6,914 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 151 residents (2.2%) from the 2021 Census figure of 6,763 people. This trend is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 6,812 alongside 158 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The density of the area is recorded at 69 persons per square kilometer, which indicates low density and room for potential future expansion. The post-census growth rate of 2.2% trails the wider SA3 region (2.5%) by 0.3 percentage points, showing competitive local dynamics.
Overseas migration was the primary contributor to these gains, functioning as the sole driver of population growth in recent times. ABS and Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are applied to each SA2 region. For SA2 areas where this dataset is unavailable, the 2022 NSW State Government projections based on 2021 statistics are utilized. Age bracket growth trends derived from these sources are extended to span the years 2032 to 2041. Based on expected demographic shifts, the region is projected to experience growth aligned with the lower quartile of national regional areas, expanding by 224 individuals by 2041 according to recent annual ERP data, which represents an overall rise of 1.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
147 new dwellings have been approved in Yass over the past five years, an average of 29 a year. That is 4.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 26 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 85% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 32, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Dwelling approvals in Yass have averaged 29 annually, resulting in 147 new homes over the last 5 financial years. In FY-26, there have been 30 approvals recorded thus far. Given that only 0.1 new residents per year arrived per new home between FY-21 and FY-25, new builds are successfully meeting or running ahead of local demand, giving buyers increased choice and supporting population expansion that may exceed current forecasts. The average construction cost of these new dwellings is $416,000, which is higher than typical regional averages and suggests a focus on quality.
Additionally, commercial approvals reached $9.9 million this financial year, demonstrating steady investment in business infrastructure. Building activity per capita in Yass matches the Rest of NSW, keeping the market in a balanced state in line with neighboring locations. Recent developments are composed of 85.0% detached houses and 15.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving a low-density profile centered on spacious family living. The ratio of approximately 208 people per dwelling approval indicates a low-density building environment. Long-term projections indicate Yass will gain 122 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Looking at established building patterns, the supply of new housing is positioned to satisfy demand, ensuring favorable buyer conditions and potentially enabling population increases that outpace current models.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Yass
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 12 current infrastructure and development projects inside Yass, worth an estimated $534 million. A further 51 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $9.85 billion. 16 are already under construction and 16 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major planning developments, and new initiatives represent major drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 13 projects expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include the Crago Mill Precinct, Hamilton Rise Yass, Yarrah - Yass River Masterplanned Community, and Yarrah at Yass River, with the primary details of these key projects listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Crago Mill Precinct
The completed Crago Mill Precinct integrates a restored historic mill with modern civic facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, community meeting rooms, an Emergency Operations Centre, commercial spaces, and the new Yass Valley Council administration building.
Yass Industrial Park
30 hectares of industrial development for logistics, transport, freight, warehousing, building and construction, and technology. Stage 1 consists of 21 blocks, with Stage 2 currently underway. Features 800-metre frontage to Yass Valley Way, B-Double and B-Triple accessible blocks, with services including water, sewer, and underground power.
Hamilton Rise Yass
Hamilton Rise is a master planned community in the Yass Valley, offering approximately 500 residential lots ranging from 620m2 to over 1000m2. It provides space and freedom with rural vistas and proximity to Yass CBD. Stage 1 construction is nearly complete, with blocks available for sale and house and land packages offered.
Yarrah at Yass River
A master planned community bordering the Yass River, offering over 700 dwellings, diverse lot sizes from 400m2 to 1200m2, 11 hectares of open space, over 6 hectares of river corridor enhancements, and future amenities including shops, child care, medical centre, and hotel/motel. Stage 1 is complete with houses starting in late 2023, Stage 3 is selling with construction anticipated to commence between Spring and Summer 2025, Stage 4 is DA approved.
Yarrah - Yass River Masterplanned Community
Large staged residential subdivision on the Yass River delivering around 763 dwellings plus open space, a mixed-use activity centre, retirement living and a health services precinct. Stage 1 is complete with houses under construction; Stage 2A civil works commenced in 2024 with first homes underway in 2025; Stages 3 and 4 received DA approval in 2024 with further subdivision works planned through 2025.
South West Yass Residential Development
Major residential land development for 100 dwellings planned from 2022-2036. Strategic expansion area to accommodate Yass Valley's projected population growth.
North Yass Residential Development
Planned residential development for 80 dwellings from 2021-2036. Forms part of systematic urban expansion to meet growing demand in Yass region.
Yass High School Upgrade
Upgrade to Yass High School delivering six new STEM teaching and learning spaces, three seminar rooms, new covered outdoor areas, new staff study facilities, and landscaping and accessibility improvements. Works are recorded by School Infrastructure NSW as a completed project, with a project gallery and information packs available on the official page.
3,456 residents of Yass are employed, from a labour force of 3,524. Unemployment sits at 1.9%, with participation at 63.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Yass is characterized by a skilled resident workforce, strong representation in essential services, and a low unemployment rate of 1.9%. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,456, keeping the unemployment rate 2.2% below the Regional NSW average of 4.1%. The labor participation rate of 63.3% is slightly higher than the Regional NSW rate of 60.6%. Census data shows that a minor portion of the workforce (12.6%) worked from home, although this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 containment measures. The primary sectors employing local residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction.
Public administration & safety is a major regional specialization, with its share of employment running 2.3 times higher than the regional average. Conversely, manufacturing accounts for only 2.0% of local jobs, compared to 5.8% across Regional NSW. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities within the area itself are relatively limited. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that in the 12 months leading to March 2026, the local labor force contracted by 2.2% and total employment fell by 1.8%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point decline in unemployment. Meanwhile, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 0.9% and the labor force contract by 0.4%, resulting in a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia help illustrate prospective demand trends for Yass. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate future changes. Nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by sector. Applying these trends to the local workforce mix suggests Yass employment could grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this serves as a basic weighting model and excludes local population growth forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Yass is $1,739 a week (about $90,000 a year), with median personal income at $867 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $63,883 a year against an average of $77,442. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 shows a median taxpayer income of $63,883 and an average income of $77,442 in the Yass SA2. These figures are high on a national scale, especially compared to the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Incorporating the Wage Price Index rise of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would stand at $70,476 for the median and $85,434 for the average. The 2021 Census indicates Yass households, families, and individuals earn incomes around the 55th percentile nationally.
The most prominent income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, containing 33.1% of the population (2,288 residents), which resembles the surrounding region where 29.9% of households fall into this group. Residents retain 85.6% of their income after covering housing costs, and the area ranks in the 5th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Yass had 2,524 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 3% apartments. 41% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 35% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $340 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,773 a month. Rent absorbs 19.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Yass was comprised of 89.0% houses and 10.9% other dwelling types such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership levels in Yass lagged the regional average at 34.7%, with 40.9% of properties mortgaged and 24.4% rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,773 was higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $340 exceeded the regional average of $330. Nationally, Yass mortgage costs are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Yass counted 2,524 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 28% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households make up 70.9% of the local dwelling profile, consisting of couples with children at 31.0%, couples without children at 27.6%, and single parent households at 11.4%. The remaining 29.1% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 27.5% and group homes accounting for 1.6%. The median household size is 2.5 residents, which is slightly larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
23.0% of adults in Yass hold a university qualification, including 15.1% with a bachelor degree and 4.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 27.7% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,353 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,005 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary education levels in Yass are lower than regional benchmarks, with 23.0% of residents aged 15+ holding a university qualification, compared to 32.2% across NSW. This suggests opportunities to enhance local skill levels. Within university qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.1%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 38.4% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 27.7%. The proportion of residents engaged in study is high, with 28.7% currently enrolled in education.
This group includes 11.3% in primary schools, 7.9% in secondary schools, and 3.1% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Yass reaches 147 stops on 37 routes, timetabled for about 590 services a week. The typical home sits about 190 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of the local network shows 147 active transport stops in Yass, offering a combination of train and bus services. These stops are utilized by 37 distinct routes, generating 590 passenger trips each week. Transport accessibility is high, with the average distance to a stop being 193 meters. Given the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the district, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 92%, followed by walking at 5%. Households average 1.6 vehicles. A low 12.6% of residents worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.
Services run at an average of 84 trips per day across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 4 weekly trips for each stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 closest stops to the center of the locality.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.9% of residents in Yass report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 93% of areas nationally. 8.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Mortality rates and chronic disease indicators from AreaSearch show that health concerns affect both young and old cohorts in Yass. Private health insurance coverage is high, with roughly 58% of the population (~4,010 people) holding coverage, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues, affecting 11.2% and 10.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 59.9% of residents reported having no chronic health issues, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents experience notable rates of chronic illness. The area has 21.9% of its population aged 65 and over (1,512 people), which is lower than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%.
Senior health metrics in Yass are generally consistent with national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Yass is largely Australian-born, at 90.2% of residents, with 4.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.8%) and English (30.2%). 3.5% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The local population displays below-average cultural diversity, with 90.2% born in Australia, 92.5% holding citizenship, and 95.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 59.6% of residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. In terms of parent country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups are Australian at 33.8%, English at 30.2%, and Irish at 10.1%. Certain other groups show specific local distributions: Australian Aboriginal residents make up 3.5% of Yass (compared to 4.6% regionally), Scottish ancestry stands at 7.9% (compared to 8.0%), and Maltese ancestry is at 0.4% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Yass is 42. 23.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Yass has a median age of 42 years, which is close to the Regional NSW average of 43 and higher than the national median of 38 years. The local age distribution is characterized by a strong presence of 15 - 24 year-olds at 12.3%, whereas the 75 - 84 cohort is smaller at 7.3% compared to Regional NSW. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has increased from 10.5% to 12.3% of the population. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.8% to 12.5%, and the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.9% to 11.6%.
Projections for 2041 point to notable demographic shifts, with the 85+ age group expected to increase by 79%, adding 161 people to total 365. Seniors aged 65+ are expected to represent 56% of overall growth, highlighting local aging trends, while the 35 to 44 and 65 to 74 cohorts are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Yass
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | May 2026 3 months ago all 13 measures |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 12 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 158 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,763 at the 2021 Census → 6,914 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (101061541). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.