Alstonville

Alstonville has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Alstonville statistical area (Lv2) is around 6,107, reflecting a growth of 195 people since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 3.3% rise from the previous population count of 5,912. AreaSearch's analysis, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and additional validated new addresses, suggests this growth. The current population density is approximately 211 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Alstonville has shown a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%, outperforming its SA4 region. Interstate migration contributed significantly to this growth, accounting for about 48% of overall population gains.

Other factors such as overseas migration and natural growth also played positive roles in driving population increase. AreaSearch's projections for the Alstonville (SA2) are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government SA2-level projections from 2022 using a 2021 base year. These projections forecast significant population growth by 2041, with the area expected to increase by 1,721 persons, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 29.4% over the 17-year period.

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

Alstonville recorded approximately 12 residential properties approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 62 homes were approved, with another 7 approved in FY-26. On average, 6.8 people moved to the area per dwelling built over these years.

This demand outpaces supply, likely putting upward pressure on prices and increasing buyer competition. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $561,000, indicating a focus on premium market developments. In FY-26, there have been $2.7 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Alstonville has 65.0% fewer construction approvals per person. This scarcity may strengthen demand and prices for existing properties.

Nationally, Alstonville also shows lower development activity, suggesting market maturity or possible constraints. New developments consist of 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, offering a range of housing types from family homes to compact options. The area has an estimated 876 people per dwelling approval, indicating a quiet development environment. By 2041, Alstonville is projected to grow by 1,797 residents. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Alstonville has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes to its local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified nine such projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable among these are the Alstonville Cultural Centre Upgrade, Alstonville Medical Centre at 12 Commercial Road, Alstonville Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, and the 104 Main Street Mixed-Use Development. The following list details those projects deemed 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Alstonville well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Alstonville has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate in September 2025 was 2.2%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

In the same period, 2697 residents were employed, which is 1.7% below Rest of NSW's unemployment rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 51.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The area had a particularly strong specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

However, public administration & safety had limited presence at 5.5%, compared to the regional average of 7.5%. Labour force levels decreased by 2.1% over the 12 months to September 2025, alongside a 1.8% employment decline, resulting in an unemployment rate fall of 0.3 percentage points. This contrasted with Rest of NSW, where employment contracted by 0.5%, the labour force fell by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov showed NSW employment had contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected national growth rates of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Alstonville's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Alstonville's median income among taxpayers was $40,804 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $54,216 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Rest of NSW, which were $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. By September 2025, estimates based on an 8.86% increase from financial year 2023 suggest median income will be approximately $44,419 and average income around $59,020. Census data indicates that incomes in Alstonville fall between the 21st and 23rd percentiles nationally. The predominant income bracket spans 29.8% of locals (1,819 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, similar to broader regional trends. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Alstonville, with only 84.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 22nd percentile nationally. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

In Alstonville, as per the latest Census evaluation, 76.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 23.9% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 75.1% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Alstonville stood at 48.2%, with mortgaged properties at 27.5% and rented dwellings at 24.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,730, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,980. Median weekly rent in Alstonville was $380, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $450. Nationally, Alstonville's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 65.6% of all households, including 22.1% couples with children, 31.2% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.4%, with lone person households at 32.1% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Alstonville aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Alstonville's residents aged 15+ have a university degree rate of 25.8%, compared to NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 38.5% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.0% and certificates at 26.5%. Currently, 24.9% of the population is engaged in formal education: 9.5% in primary, 7.2% in secondary, and 3.2% in tertiary education.

A substantial 24.9% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 9.5% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Alstonville has 119 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 33 different routes that together facilitate 421 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from a resident's location to the nearest transport stop is 103 meters, indicating excellent accessibility.

On average, each route provides 60 trips per day, resulting in approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Alstonville faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,957 people), compared to 51.7% in Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.4%) and mental health issues (8.9%), with 60.2% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 68.0% in Rest of NSW.

Alstonville has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 31.7%, or 1,935 people, compared to 23.6% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Alstonville had a cultural diversity below average, with 87.8% of its population born in Australia, 92.8% being citizens, and 96.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 55.2% of people in Alstonville, compared to 42.2% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.7%), Australian (28.7%), and Irish (11.0%).

Notably, Welsh (0.8%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average (0.6%), as were Scottish (9.3%, vs 9.0%) and Hungarian (0.3%, vs 0.2%).

Alstonville ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Alstonville's median age is 51 years, significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and the Australian median of 38. The 75-84 age group is notably over-represented in Alstonville at 11.2%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 8.8%. This concentration of the 75-84 cohort is well above the national average of 6.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 8.6% to 9.5%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.0% to 10.8%. By 2041, Alstonville is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 85+ group will grow by 92%, reaching 714 people from 372. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort grows by a modest 9%, adding 51 people.