Young

An assessment of population growth drivers in Young reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Young has a population estimated at 11,026 as of May 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. Compared to the 11,004 residents counted in the 2021 Census, this represents an addition of 22 individuals, or 0.2%. This population shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 10,918, supplemented by 35 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The density of the area stands at 21 persons per square kilometer, which indicates residents have plenty of space. The post-census expansion rate of 0.2% is within 2.3 percentage points of the broader SA3 region's 2.5% increase, showing that the area maintains competitive growth dynamics. The population rise was mostly fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 63.8% of the total demographic gains in the recent period.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024, using 2022 as the baseline, are adopted by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. In cases where this dataset does not cover a specific SA2, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are implemented. The age cohort growth rates from these datasets are projected forward for all locations from 2032 to 2041. Based on recent annual ERP statistics, the area is set to experience population growth that is just under the median recorded for regional non-metropolitan zones across the nation, with an estimated addition of 502 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 3.6% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Young according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Approximately 32 building approvals for residential properties are registered in Young each year, amounting to 160 dwellings approved during the last 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 35 approvals registered during FY-26 so far. Because the local population has shrunk over the preceding timeframe, this pace of building has been relatively sufficient, which is advantageous for home buyers. Newly built properties carry an average construction value of $429,000, which sits slightly above regional benchmarks and points to a focus on higher quality builds. Commercial projects approved this financial year total $39.9 million, indicating strong capital investment by local firms.

Young displays roughly three-quarters of the per capita rate of new housing approvals observed in the Rest of NSW, placing it in the 55th percentile of all examined locations nationwide, even though building pace has quickened lately. This volume is also lower than the national standard, which reflects a mature property market and hints at possible obstacles to development. Detached houses make up 83.0% of recent builds, while attached structures account for the remaining 17.0%, sustaining the low density character of the area through a preference for standalone homes that draw buyers looking for space. With approximately 285 people for every dwelling approval, the local market remains characterized by low density.

Demographic projections indicate that Young will add 394 people by 2041, according to the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. Considering current construction trends, the supply of new housing is expected to easily satisfy this demand, which creates favorable purchasing conditions and could support population expansion beyond the forecasted numbers.

Young has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major construction, and zoning updates have a major impact on regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 current projects that are anticipated to affect the community. Key developments include the Young Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrades, the Apollo Fabrication Group Expansion, the Hill Street Subdivision Young, and the Burrangong Creek Bridge Duplication, with the most significant projects listed below.

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 Young remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

The local labor market is evenly split between white-collar and blue-collar roles across a range of industries, with unemployment standing at 4.1%. There were 4,852 employed residents in March 2026, while the jobless rate matched the 4.1% recorded across Regional NSW. Participation in the labor force is slightly depressed at 57.8% relative to the 60.6% seen in Regional NSW. Census records show that only a small portion of the workforce, 8.5%, operated from home, though this figure may have been affected by pandemic lockdowns.

The primary employment sectors for local citizens are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The region exhibits a heavy concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, employing people at a rate 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance has a smaller share of the local workforce at 14.5% compared to 16.9% in Regional NSW. Although there are employment opportunities locally, comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests a significant portion of workers commute outside the area.

An examination of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that over the 12-month timeframe, the local workforce contracted by 2.2% and total employment fell by 0.9%, which caused the unemployment rate to drop by 1.2 percentage points. Meanwhile, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 0.9% and the labor force shrink by 0.4%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide a broader view of potential future labor demand in Young. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but rates vary widely by sector. Applying these specific industry projections to the local workforce composition suggests employment in Young could expand by 5.8% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted calculation for illustration and does not incorporate local population changes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Taxpayer statistics at the postcode level from the ATO for the 2023 financial year show that the Young SA2 registered a median taxpayer income of $48,207 and an average income of $57,520. These figures are lower than the national averages and compare to regional averages of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average) across Regional NSW. Accounting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would stand at approximately $53,182 for the median and $63,456 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reports that household, family, and individual incomes in Young all sit between the 11th and 21st percentiles nationally. Looking at income distribution, 27.1% of the population (representing 2,988 residents) earn in the $800 - 1,499 range, which contrasts with regional patterns where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is the largest group at 29.9%. Once housing costs are paid, residents retain 85.9% of their income, placing the area in the 14th percentile nationally for this metric.

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

At the time of the latest Census, the mix of housing in Young consisted of 87.9% standalone houses and 12.0% other dwelling types such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative residences. By comparison, Regional NSW recorded 82.6% houses and 17.4% other options. The level of home ownership in Young was 39.9%, matching the rate in Regional NSW, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (30.0%) or rented (30.1%). The median mortgage payment in the area was $1,300 per month, which is much lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent was $250, compared to $330 for the region. On a national level, mortgage costs in Young are far below the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also significantly lower than the national median of $375.

Young features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up the majority of local households at 66.5%, which includes 25.1% couples with offspring, 27.6% couples without offspring, and 12.6% single parents. The remaining 33.5% are non-family households, with single-person homes making up 31.0% and group housing accounting for 2.4% of the total. The median size of households is 2.4 residents, which is identical to the Regional NSW average.

Young faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

Academic achievement in the region is relatively low, with the university qualification rate of 14.1% sitting well below the state average of 32.2% in NSW. This situation presents a clear target for educational programs. Among residents with degrees, bachelor programs are the most common at 10.3%, followed by postgraduate studies at 2.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.3%. Vocational and technical training is very common, with 38.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 29.5%.

Enrolment in education is quite strong, with 28.9% of the local population currently engaged in study. This group is composed of 11.7% in primary school, 9.0% in high school, and 1.6% in higher education.

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

Public transit records show 358 stops in Young, providing a combination of bus and rail services. These stops are served by 30 separate routes that run a combined 349 passenger trips each week. Transit access is rated as excellent, with typical resident dwellings positioned 178 meters from the closest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, many workers travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the main choice of transit at 93%, while 5% of residents walk to work. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.4. A relatively small share of 8.5% of workers work from home, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions.

Transit services run at an average of 49 trips per day across all active routes, which represents approximately 0 weekly passenger trips per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 closest transit stops to the central coordinate.

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

Health assessments indicate that Young faces considerable difficulties, based on mortality statistics and the rate of chronic illness analyzed by AreaSearch. Health issues are common in both youth and older demographics, and the proportion of residents with private health insurance is very low at around 48% of the population, which equals approximately 5,248 people. This is lower than the Regional NSW average of 51.9% and the national standard of 55.7%.

Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent health issues reported locally, affecting 11.0% and 9.4% of citizens respectively. Meanwhile, 62.5% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The cohort of working age experiences considerable health concerns, with elevated rates of long-term illness. Citizens aged 65 and older make up 23.1% of the local population, representing 2,550 residents. Health profiles for these older citizens show some difficulties, with national standings generally matching those of the broader community.

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

Cultural diversity in Young is below national averages, with citizenship at 90.1%, Australian-born residents making up 91.2% of the population, and 92.5% of households speaking only English. The primary religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 65.4% of the local population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

The three largest ancestral groups represented in Young are Australian at 34.2%, English at 30.4%, and Irish at 9.9%. Some specific ethnic heritages show notable differences compared to broader regional trends, with Lebanese background overrepresented at 1.9% of the population compared to 0.2% regionally, Aboriginal heritage representing 3.9% of residents compared to 4.6% regionally, and Serbian ancestry at 0.3% compared to 0.2% regionally.

Young's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age of Young's population is 42 years, which is close to the Regional NSW average of 43 years but much older than the Australian median of 38 years. Looking at the age distribution, children aged 5 to 14 represent a large segment at 13.3%, while young adults in the 25 to 34 bracket are relatively scarce at 10.3% compared to Regional NSW. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort has expanded from 11.2% to 12.2% of the population, whereas the 55 to 64 group has contracted from 12.6% to 11.6%. Projections for the year 2041 suggest major demographic shifts. The 75 to 84 cohort is expected to grow the fastest at 22%, adding 207 people to reach a total of 1,131. Residents aged 65 and over will account for 51% of all population growth, highlighting the aging trend of the community. In contrast, populations in the 55 to 64 and 65 to 74 cohorts are expected to decrease.