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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Blackbutt (NSW) is $1.12m, with units at $748k. House values have moved 3.5% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Blackbutt (NSW) has an estimated 3,488 residents, up from 3,291 at the 2021 Census — a change of 197 people, or 6.0%. Overseas migration accounts for 73.0% of that increase. That puts 1,326 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
An examination of regional updates from the ABS alongside post-Census address validations conducted by AreaSearch indicates that the suburb of Blackbutt (NSW) has an estimated resident tally of approximately 3,488 as of Aug 2026. This figure marks an expansion of 197 people (6.0%) from the 2021 Census count of 3,291 people. The total is derived from the ERP baseline of 3,461 established by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS release, supplemented by 20 validated new addresses added following the Census. Consequently, population density stands at 1,326 persons per square kilometer, outperforming the benchmark across nationwide locations monitored by AreaSearch.
Outpacing the Rest of NSW benchmark of 5.1%, the suburb of Blackbutt (NSW) registered 6.0% growth since the 2021 census to emerge as a prominent local growth hub. Inbound overseas migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 73.0% of all recent population additions, while interstate relocations and natural additions also remained positively contributing drivers. Forecast modeling relies on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections by SA2 published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, supplemented where necessary by NSW State Government SA2 series published in 2022 using 2021 as the base year. Age-specific trajectory rates from these combined series are carried through for all localities across 2032 to 2041. In line with these broader demographic projections, the suburb of Blackbutt (NSW) is slated to exceed median growth trajectories for Australian regional locations, adding 654 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 modeling, which translates to a cumulative expansion of 18.0% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential construction in the locality remains constrained, averaging 2 new dwellings approved annually and accumulating 12 across the past five years. Limited building volume aligns with expectations for regional settings where modest local demand and existing infrastructure limits moderate development activity. Because baseline activity is so small, singular projects have the capacity to substantially sway annual metrics and relative performance indicators. Local building volumes trail Rest of NSW by a significant margin and remain subdued against broader Australian standards. Current project approvals are divided into 25.0% detached dwellings and 75.0% attached dwellings.
A pronounced shift toward attached stock creates more reachable price points for downsizers, first-home purchasers, and investors alike. This marks a clear pivot away from the established built environment, which features 70.0% houses, responding to shrinking land pipelines alongside evolving affordability and lifestyle preferences. A ratio of around 436 people per dwelling approval characterizes the market as structurally established. Longer-term projections indicate the local community will expand by 627 residents through to 2041 according to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release. If building output fails to accelerate from prevailing levels, residential supply may struggle to match demographic intake, likely heightening buyer competition and bolstering real estate values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Blackbutt (NSW)
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Blackbutt (NSW), worth an estimated $98 million. A further 41 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.24 billion. 11 are already under construction and 20 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Capital investments and planning developments exert a fundamental influence over local community performance, with AreaSearch tracking 4 major projects anticipated to shape the surrounding district. Prominent initiatives comprise the Playground Renewals & Upgrades Program (Jilba Park, Collins Reserve), The Links Hotel, Albion Park Quarry Extraction Area Stage 7 Extension, and Blackbutt Dam Modification, with primary details presented in the subsequent listing.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
The Links Hotel
Proposed hotel development on a 6,736 sqm parcel of Council-owned land (Lot 1 DP 1098888) beside The Links Golf Course at Shell Cove, around 300 metres from the new Shellharbour Hospital. Shellharbour City Council ran an Expressions of Interest process seeking an experienced hotel developer partner to design, build and operate the hotel. Concept plans prepared by Jackson Teece Architecture call for at least 140 rooms, a restaurant and bar, meeting and event spaces, a wellness and gym area, and dedicated parking.The project aims to address a local shortage of overnight accommodation, support tourism, business travel and visiting healthcare workers and patients, and create local jobs. EOI submissions closed in October 2025 and Council has not yet announced a selected developer as of mid-2026; the hotel remains targeted to open by the end of 2028.
Playground Renewals & Upgrades Program (Jilba Park, Collins Reserve)
Shellharbour City Council program renewing and upgrading local community playgrounds to enhance safety, accessibility, and multi-generational play. The program includes fence additions, updated inclusive play equipment, and nature play spaces across sites such as Collins Reserve and Jilba Park.
Albion Park Quarry Extraction Area Stage 7 Extension
A 30-year extension of the existing Albion Park Quarry extraction area, approved to secure approximately 33 million tonnes of hard rock resources for the Illawarra and Greater Sydney regions, ensuring continued supply for the construction industry. The project involves removing 1.6 million tonnes of overburden and hard rock extraction of up to 900,000 tonnes per year.
Blackbutt Dam Modification
Modifications to Blackbutt Dam by Shellharbour City Council, including lowering the water level, reconstructing the embankment and spillway, and site restoration. The project was undertaken to improve safety, meet compliance requirements from Dams Safety NSW, and resulted in the dam being de-prescribed as a declared dam in 2022. Final landscaping works were scheduled for Spring 2022.
Shellharbour City Centre Masterplan
The Shellharbour City Centre Masterplan establishes the overarching urban design and development framework across 14 precincts within the Shellharbour central business area. Formally incorporated into the Shellharbour Development Control Plan by Shellharbour City Council, the masterplan regulates building heights, active street frontages, and public realm improvements. It provides clear statutory guidance for major commercial, retail, and medium-to-high-density residential proposals.
New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services
A major health infrastructure project delivering a new multi-storey greenfield hospital at Dunmore. Key features include an expanded emergency department with a rooftop helipad, specialized elective surgery theatres, mental health inpatient units, and comprehensive outpatient services alongside regional network upgrades.
The Waterfront Shell Cove
The Waterfront Shell Cove is a 2.1 billion AUD master-planned coastal community developed by Frasers Property Australia in partnership with Shellharbour City Council. The project features a 270-berth marina, a vibrant town centre, and approximately 3,250 homes. Significant milestones in 2026 include the ongoing construction of the Vela Apartments (completion late 2026) and the official ground-breaking of the Shellharbour Boathouse in April 2026, which will provide dry-stack storage and marine maintenance services upon its scheduled opening in July 2027.
Warilla Beach Seawall Renewal
Rebuilding a 930-meter seawall (revetment) to modern engineering standards to address coastal erosion and public safety. The project features improved beach access with a minimum of three formalised beach access points and an emergency access ramp.
1,554 residents of Blackbutt (NSW) are employed, from a labour force of 1,675. Unemployment sits at 7.2%, with participation at 57.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,145, about 90% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Statistical area aggregations prepared by AreaSearch highlight a capable local workforce underpinned by solid representation across essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 7.2% and steady year-on-year employment trends. As of March 2026, 1,554 residents are employed. While the jobless rate sits 3.1% above the 4.1% recorded for Regional NSW, indicating potential for absorption, labor force participation is moderately constrained at 57.2% compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census returns indicated that 22.8% of workers operated remotely, an outcome that must be interpreted alongside prevailing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Resident employment is concentrated most heavily in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.
A notable industrial feature is manufacturing, where local staffing concentrations reach 1.6 times the regional average. By contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for no measured presence, sitting well below the 5.3% regional benchmark. Comparing Census resident worker totals against local workplace numbers confirms that the locality functions primarily as a dormitory suburb offering relatively few internal workplaces. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, the labour force declined by 0.1% and employment dropped by 0.2% during the year to March 2026, which helped maintain a relatively stable unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% fall in employment, a 0.4% contraction in the labour force, and a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Mar-26 provide additional insight into potential future demand within Blackbutt. 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 Blackbutt's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Blackbutt (NSW) is $1,604 a week (about $83,000 a year), with median personal income at $707 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,101 a year against an average of $70,432. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Postcode ATO figures compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place the median taxpayer earnings at $55,101 and the average at $70,432. These amounts exceed nationwide averages and outperform the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023 produces estimated updated figures of approximately $60,787 (median) and $77,701 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows individual, family, and household earnings occupy moderate positions between the 29th and 41st percentiles. The single largest income band encompasses 28.6% of taxpayers receiving $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (997 residents), aligning closely with regional proportions of 29.9%.
Affordability pressures remain evident, with 83.7% of income remaining uncommitted (ranking at the 41st percentile), while the SEIFA income metric sits within the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Blackbutt (NSW) had 1,218 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 70% detached houses and 2% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $420 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 26.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records indicate that local residential stock comprised 70.1% houses alongside 29.9% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Regional NSW distributions of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Outright property ownership matched the regional rate at 40.9%, while remaining households were split between 29.7% with a mortgage and 29.4% in rental arrangements. Median mortgage costs stood well above the Regional NSW standard of $1,733 at $2,000 monthly, and median weekly rent reached $420 compared to the regional figure of $330. In a broader context, local mortgage servicing surpasses the Australian median of $1,863, while weekly rents exceed the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Blackbutt (NSW) counted 1,218 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,291 today, averaging 2.6 people each. 34% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 76.5%, broken down into 34.3% couples with children, 28.7% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 23.5%, consisting of 21.2% lone person dwellings and 2.5% shared group residences. An average household contains 2.6 people, exceeding the Regional NSW benchmark of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.1% of adults in Blackbutt (NSW) hold a university qualification, including 11.9% with a bachelor degree and 3.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 76% of areas nationally. A further 28.2% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational attainment profiles show that 17.1% of residents hold university qualifications, lagging behind the NSW benchmark of 32.2% and highlighting scope for further educational development. Attainment is led by bachelor degrees at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate awards (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Conversely, vocational qualifications are widespread, with 39.4% of citizens aged 15+ possessing trade credentials, comprising certificates (28.2%) and advanced diplomas (11.2%). Community engagement in learning is robust, with 26.4% of the population actively enrolled in formal study. This cohort includes 8.2% attending primary schools, 7.9% enrolled in secondary education, and 4.7% engaged in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Blackbutt (NSW) reaches 27 stops on 37 routes, timetabled for about 630 services a week. The typical home sits about 140 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Transport networks within the area feature 27 active bus stops connecting across 37 separate transit routes to deliver 629 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is rated as excellent, with typical resident proximity measured at 139 meters from the closest boarding point. Given the predominantly suburban layout, private vehicle travel dominates out-commuting at 94%, with households maintaining an average of 1.6 vehicles. Approximately 22.8% of the workforce operated from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions). Schedules provide an average frequency of 89 trips per day across the network, which equates to roughly 23 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.9% of residents in Blackbutt (NSW) report no long-term health condition. 7.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch based on chronic illness and mortality metrics highlight elevated disease prevalence spanning both younger and older cohorts, alongside a relatively solid private health insurance uptake of approximately 55% (~1,910 people), which outpaces the 51.9% regional rate for Regional NSW. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnosed ailments, reported by 10.5 and 9.3% of the community respectively, while 63.9% of residents reported having no medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic conditions are notably present among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 26.2% of the local population (913 people), exceeding the Regional NSW share of 23.3%, with older cohort wellness measures matching broader national distributions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Blackbutt (NSW) is largely Australian-born, at 75.7% of residents, with 22.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (24.1%) and Australian (22.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in the area exceeds that of most comparable local markets, characterized by 24.3% of residents born overseas and 22.1% using a language other than English in their households. Christianity is the predominant religious faith, practiced by 63.9% of the local population compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Evaluating parental ancestry shows the largest community backgrounds are English at 24.1% (below the regional level of 30.5%), Australian at 22.7% (below the regional mark of 30.0%), and Other at 9.3%. Notable concentrations of specific heritages are also evident, including Macedonian at 8.2% (vs 0.4%), Spanish at 2.0% (vs 0.3%), and Croatian at 1.6% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Blackbutt (NSW) is 43. 23.1% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The local age distribution aligns closely with the Regional NSW profile, showing a maximum variance of 2.9 percentage points. The median age is an estimated 43 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census result and matching the Regional NSW median of 43 at that Census, whereas the Australian Census benchmark was 38. Retiree and senior demographics (65+) have expanded from 19.4% at the Census to an estimated 26.2%. Looking ahead to 2041, seniors are projected to absorb the bulk of growth, increasing by 218 residents (24%) to reach 1,132.
In relative terms, young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) will see the fastest rate of growth, climbing 27% to 948 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Blackbutt (NSW)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 4 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 20 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,291 at the 2021 Census → 3,488 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL10390). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.