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 7,875 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 198 people, a 2.6% rise from the 2021 Census count of 7,677 individuals. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,779 in June 2024 and the addition of 48 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 1.3 persons per square kilometer. Young Surrounds' growth rate of 2.6% since the census is within 1.3 percentage points of the SA3 area's 3.9%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 51.4% of overall population gains in recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from these aggregations for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of Australia's regional areas, with Young Surrounds expected to gain 866 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 9.7% 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 approximately 16 new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 82 homes were approved, with an additional 9 approved so far in FY-26. Each year, on average, 2.8 new residents have been associated with each new dwelling approval between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

The average construction cost value of new homes being built is $336,000. This financial year has seen $14.7 million in commercial development approvals recorded, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Young Surrounds has roughly half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person. Nationally, it ranks at the 44th percentile among assessed areas, indicating limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established homes.

However, building activity has accelerated in recent years. New development consists predominantly of standalone homes, with 93.0% of approvals, and a smaller proportion of medium and high-density housing at 7.0%, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 391 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Young Surrounds is projected to gain 760 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying 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 affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 29 projects likely to impact 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.

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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 diverse sector representation. As of September 2025, its unemployment rate is 2.9%.

The area's employment rate is 1.0% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%, with workforce participation at 53.3% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing (6.2 times the regional level), health care & social assistance (11.0%), and education & training. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force decreased by 5.4% while employment declined by 4.9%, reducing unemployment rate 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.

Statewide, NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs) as of 25-Nov-25, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National forecasts from May-25 project employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Young Surrounds' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.1% over five years and 11.3% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Young Surrounds SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $46,362 and an average of $56,462. This was below the national average. Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Young Surrounds would be approximately $52,208 (median) and $63,582 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census revealed household, family, and personal incomes in Young Surrounds fell between the 11th and 18th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile showed that 26.9% of locals (2,118 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% occupied this range. Housing costs were modest, with 90.3% of income retained, but total disposable income ranked 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' dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 95.6% houses and 4.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Non-Metro NSW had 93.2% houses and 6.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Young Surrounds was 52.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.1% and rented at 18.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,699. Median weekly rent in Young Surrounds was $220, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $270. Nationally, mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents 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 comprise 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 account for the remaining 33.4%, with lone person households at 31.2% and group households making up 2.2%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (29.0%). Educational participation is high at 27.3%, comprising primary education (11.3%), secondary education (7.6%), and tertiary education (2.1%).

Educational participation is notably 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 low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis shows 415 active transport stops in Young Surrounds. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 64 individual routes operating, providing a total of 686 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 257 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 98 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop.

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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Young Surrounds, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% (around 3,780 people), compared to 53.6% in Rest of NSW and the national average of 55.3%. The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (12.4%) and asthma (9.0%).

Sixty-one point four percent of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.6% in Rest of NSW. Young Surrounds has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.3% (around 2,072 people), compared to 21.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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, when assessed for cultural diversity in the year 2016, showed a majority population with 89.2% being citizens, 92.6% born within Australia, and 96.8% reporting English as their primary language spoken at home. Christianity was identified as the predominant religion, accounting for 71.6% of the population in Young Surrounds, compared to a regional average of 61.3%. The top three ancestry groups, based on parental country of birth, were Australian (33.2%), English (32.9%), and Irish (12.1%).

Notable differences were observed in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 3.6% compared to the regional average of 2.9%, Serbian stood at 0.3% versus a regional figure of 0.2%, and Lebanese represented 0.3%, slightly lower than the regional average of 0.7%.

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

The median age of Young Surrounds is 49, which exceeds the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and is higher than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 55-64 cohort is notably 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 declined from 12.7% to 11.9%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Young Surrounds's age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to increase by 138 people, from 196 to 335, a growth of 70%. Meanwhile, the number of individuals in the 55-64 age range is expected to decrease by 27.