Yass Surrounds

Population growth drivers in Yass Surrounds are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Yass Surrounds's population is around 13,589 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 876 people (6.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,713 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,197 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 385 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 2.4 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Yass Surrounds's 6.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.5%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth, which contributed approximately 45.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and interstate 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. Looking at population projections moving forward, an above-median population growth for regional areas across the nation is projected, with the area expected to increase by 2,305 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 14.1% in total over the 17 years.

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

Yass Surrounds has experienced around 78 dwellings receiving development approval each year, totalling 394 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 46 approvals have been recorded. With an average of 2.4 new residents per year for each dwelling 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 $563,000, revealing that developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. Additionally, $6.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating a limited commercial development focus.

When measured against the Rest of NSW, Yass Surrounds records 51.0% more construction activity (per person), offering buyers greater choice. New building activity shows 99.0% standalone homes and 1.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The location has approximately 159 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Looking ahead, Yass Surrounds is expected to grow by 1,913 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Yass Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total 367 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the North Murrumbateman Masterplan, Murrumbateman All-Abilities Playground, The Valley at Manton, and Murrumbateman Public School, 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.

Employment conditions in Yass Surrounds rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Yass Surrounds possesses a well-educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, and an unemployment rate of just 0.8%. As of December 2025, 7,622 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 3.1% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation is well beyond standard (71.8% compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%). Based on Census responses, a moderate 21.4% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Employment among residents is concentrated in public administration & safety, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and construction. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in public administration & safety, with employment levels at 2.7 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 8.3% versus the regional average of 16.9%. 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, over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.3% alongside a 4.1% employment decline, resulting in the unemployment rate falling by 0.3 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 Yass Surrounds. 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 Yass Surrounds's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.3% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Yass Surrounds SA2's median income among taxpayers is $63,779, with an average of $81,321. This is among the highest in Australia, comparing to Regional NSW's median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $69,430 (median) and $88,526 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Yass Surrounds, between the 87th and 92nd percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 28.6% of residents (3,886 people), aligning with regional levels where this cohort likewise represents 29.9%. Higher earners represent a substantial presence with 43.4% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. After housing costs, residents retain 88.0% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Yass Surrounds is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure within Yass Surrounds, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 99.2% houses and 0.8% 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 Yass Surrounds was in line with that of Regional NSW, at 38.6%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (51.2%) or rented (10.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well above the Regional NSW average at $2,275, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $400, compared to Regional NSW's $1,733 and $330. Nationally, Yass Surrounds's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceed the national figure of $375.

Yass Surrounds features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 82.3% of all households, comprising 40.8% couples with children, 33.7% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 17.7%, with lone person households at 16.2% and group households comprising 1.5% of the total. The median household size of 2.8 people is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Yass Surrounds exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Yass Surrounds significantly surpasses broader benchmarks, with 33.6% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 21.3% in Rest of NSW and 22.7% in SA3 area. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 20.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.7%) and graduate diplomas (4.5%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 34.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (22.4%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.6% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 4.1% 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 483 active transport stops operating within Yass Surrounds, comprising a mix of trains and buses. These stops are serviced by 78 individual routes, collectively providing 909 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 290 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 93%, with 4% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 2.3 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. Some 21.4% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 129 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 1 weekly trip per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Yass Surrounds's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Yass Surrounds, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions, and the rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (8,139 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 9.2% and 8.1% of residents, respectively, while 67.9% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents show an above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 17.4% of residents aged 65 and over (2,361 people), which is lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Yass Surrounds is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Yass Surrounds was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 88.1% of its population born in Australia, 92.4% being citizens, and 95.9% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Yass Surrounds is Christianity, which makes up 52.6% of the population. This compares to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Yass Surrounds are Australian, comprising 31.1% of the population, English, comprising 31.0% of the population, and Irish, comprising 10.0% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Scottish is notably overrepresented at 9.1% of Yass Surrounds (vs 8.0% regionally), Croatian at 0.8% (vs 0.3%) and Dutch at 1.5% (vs 1.0%).

Yass Surrounds's median age exceeds the national pattern

With a median age of 43, Yass Surrounds is equal to the Regional NSW figure of 43 and well above the 38-year national average. The age profile shows 45 - 54 year-olds are particularly prominent (15.0%), while the 75 - 84 group is comparatively smaller (5.4%) than in Regional NSW. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 11.0% to 12.5% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 17.0% to 15.0% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 14.6% to 13.6%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Yass Surrounds's age structure. Leading the demographic shift, the 25 to 34 group will grow by 32% (381 people), reaching 1,580 from 1,198. In contrast, the 15 to 24 cohort shows minimal growth of just 2% (42 people).