Young Surrounds

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

Young Surrounds' population is approximately 7,854 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 177 people (2.3%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 7,677. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 7,769 in June 2024 and an additional 48 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1.3 persons per square kilometer. Young Surrounds' growth rate of 2.3% since the census is within 1.2 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.5%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 51.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

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 where applicable, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below Australia's regional areas' median, with Young Surrounds expected to gain 866 persons by 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 9.9% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Young Surrounds recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Young Surrounds has averaged around 16 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years. Between FY-21 and FY-25, a total of 82 homes were approved, with an additional 9 approved so far in FY-26. Over these five years, there was an average of 2.8 new residents per year for each dwelling approved, indicating healthy demand that supports property values.

The average construction cost value of new homes being built is $336,000. In the current financial year, $14.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Young Surrounds has around half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and places among the 44th percentile of areas assessed nationally, indicating somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established homes. Building activity has accelerated in recent years despite this, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

New development consists of 93.0% standalone homes and 7.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 391 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Young Surrounds will gain 781 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Young Surrounds has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 0thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 29 projects likely to affect the area. Notable projects include Harden to Boorowa Pipeline, Smart Water Meter Replacement Program, Young Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrades, and Burrangong Creek Bridge Duplication. The following list details those most relevant.

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.

While Young Surrounds retains a healthy unemployment rate of 2.9%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Young Surrounds has a balanced workforce with representation from both white and blue collar jobs across various sectors. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.9%. In comparison to Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%, Young Surrounds' unemployment rate is 1.0% lower.

The workforce participation rate in Young Surrounds is somewhat below standard at 57.9%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census responses, a moderate 19.0% of residents work from home. Employment among residents is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 6.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance has lower representation at 11.0% compared to the regional average of 16.9%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 5.4%, while employment declined by 4.9% in Young Surrounds, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.5%, labour force contract by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Young Surrounds' employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 5.1% over five years and 11.3% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023 shows Young Surrounds SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $47,604 and an average of $58,135. This is below the national average. Rest of NSW had a median income of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% from June 2023 to September 2025, current estimates for Young Surrounds would be approximately $51,822 (median) and $63,286 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Young Surrounds all fall between the 11th and 18th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 26.9% of locals (2,112 people) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% fall into this category. Housing costs are modest, with 90.3% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 18th percentile nationally.

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

Young Surrounds' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.6% houses and 4.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Young Surrounds stood at 52.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.1% and rented ones at 18.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Young Surrounds was $220, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Young Surrounds' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Young Surrounds features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 66.6% of all households, including 23.8% couples with children, 33.7% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 33.4%, with lone person households at 31.2% and group households making up 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.0%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (29.0%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Young Surrounds indicates that there are 445 active transport stops operating within the area. These include a mix of train and bus services. The stops are serviced by 52 individual routes, collectively providing 1016 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 261 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 89%, with 8% walking.

Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, some 19.0% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 145 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately two weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

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

Young Surrounds faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Notably, both younger and older age cohorts exhibit high prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is low in Young Surrounds, with approximately 48% of the total population (~3,785 people) having it, compared to 51.9% across Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.4% of residents) and asthma (9.0%). However, 61.4% of residents claim to be completely free of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Rest of NSW. Working-age individuals face substantial health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (26.3%, or 2,067 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 23.0%. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

The latest Census data sees Young Surrounds placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Young Surrounds, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity: 89.2% were citizens, 92.6% were born in Australia, and 96.8% spoke English only at home. Christianity dominated, with 71.6%, compared to 55.9% regionally (Rest of NSW). Top ancestral groups were Australian (33.2%), English (32.9%), Irish (12.1%).

Notable differences included overrepresentation of Australian Aboriginal (3.6% vs 4.6%) and Serbian (0.3% vs 0.2%), with Lebanese also slightly higher at 0.3% versus regional 0.2%.

Young Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Young Surrounds has a median age of 49, which is higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 55-64 cohort is over-represented in Young Surrounds at 15.7%, while the 15-24 age group is under-represented at 9.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 9.0% to 9.8% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 12.7% to 11.9%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Young Surrounds's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase by 138 people (71%), from 196 to 335. Meanwhile, numbers in the 55 to 64 age range are expected to fall by 23.