Braidwood

Population growth drivers in Braidwood are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, Braidwood's estimated population is around 1,905. This reflects an increase of 185 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,720. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 1,795 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 37 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 8.1 persons per square kilometer. Braidwood's growth rate of 10.8% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (5.1%) and the non-metro area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, a significant population increase is forecast for Braidwood statistical area (Lv2), with an expected increase of 442 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of 18.1% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Braidwood has seen around 9 new homes approved per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 45 homes were approved, with an additional 5 so far in FY-26. Each dwelling built over the past five financial years attracted an average of 2.7 new residents, reflecting robust demand that supports property values.

New homes are being constructed at an average value of $432,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This year has seen $5.0 million in commercial approvals registered, indicative of the area's residential character. Compared to Rest of NSW, Braidwood records about 66% of building activity per person and places among the 32nd percentile nationally, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties.

Recent development has been entirely comprised of standalone homes, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 510 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show Braidwood adding 344 residents by 2041 according to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers may encounter growing competition as population increases.

Braidwood has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

No infrastructure changes are known to impact the area at present. Zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially influential. Notable initiatives include Sydney-Canberra Rail Connectivity And Capacity, Princes Highway Safety And Capacity: Nowra NSW To Victorian Border, HumeLink, and Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy.

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 2.8%, Braidwood has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Braidwood has a well-educated workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate is 2.8%, as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation in September 2025.

There are 889 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.0% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries include public administration & safety, accommodation & food, and construction. Braidwood specializes in public administration & safety, employing 1.6 times the regional level.

Health care & social assistance employs only 8.0% locally, below Rest of NSW's 16.9%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparison between working population and resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Braidwood's labour force decreased by 5.1%, with a 5.3% employment decline, causing unemployment to rise by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.5%, labour force contracted by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. National unemployment is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Braidwood. Over five years, national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6%, and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Braidwood's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.0% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released on June 30, 2023, Braidwood had a median income among taxpayers of $48,200 with an average level of $62,571. This is lower than the national average and compares to levels of $52,390 and $65,215 across Rest of NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since June 30, 2023, current estimates would be approximately $52,471 (median) and $68,115 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Braidwood rank modestly, between the 29th and 44th percentiles. Distribution data shows that 27.7% of locals (527 people) fall within the $800 - 1,499 income category, unlike trends in the surrounding region where 29.9% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. After housing costs, 86.6% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Braidwood's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, was 88.8% houses and 11.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 74.5% houses and 25.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Braidwood stood at 48.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.0% and rented ones at 23.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,700, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in Braidwood was $345, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $355. Nationally, Braidwood's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 63.1% of all households, including 21.0% couples with children, 34.0% couples without children, and 7.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.9%, with lone person households at 35.0% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

Braidwood performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's university qualification rate of 30.9%, as of the latest data, exceeds both the Rest of NSW average (21.3%) and the SA4 region average (24.1%). Bachelor degrees are the most common at 19.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 7.3% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%. Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 35.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.0%) and certificates (24.7%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.8% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.0% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Braidwood's public transport analysis shows 42 active stops in operation, all of which are bus services. These stops are served by 13 different routes that combined offer 129 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is rated as good, with residents on average being located 320 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 18 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Braidwood faces significant health challenges, as indicated by data showing high prevalence of common conditions across various age groups. Approximately 52% (~984 people) have private health cover, lower than Rest of NSW's 61.9%.

The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (12.5%) and mental health issues (8.3%), with 61.2% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 68.7% in Rest of NSW. Braidwood has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 29.6% (563 people), compared to 13.4% in Rest of NSW. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but perform better than the general population in certain metrics.

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

Braidwood, as per the census conducted on Tuesday 9 June 2009, exhibited lower cultural diversity compared to average. The population was predominantly Australian citizens, with 87.0% holding citizenship and 86.4% born within Australia. English was the primary language spoken at home by 95.4%.

Christianity was the dominant religion in Braidwood, comprising 52.2% of the population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to the rest of NSW, with 0.3% of Braidwood's population identifying as Jewish, compared to the regional average of 0.1%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (32.0%), Australian (28.5%), and Irish (12.7%). Other ethnic groups showed significant differences in representation: Scottish was overrepresented at 10.2% compared to the regional average of 7.6%, Welsh at 0.9% versus 0.5%, and French at 1.0% against a regional average of 0.4%.

Braidwood ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Braidwood's median age is 49, which exceeds the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and is higher than Australia's median age of 38. The 75-84 cohort is notably over-represented in Braidwood at 12.1%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while the 15-24 age group is under-represented at 8.5%. This concentration of the 75-84 age group is significantly higher than the national figure of 6.0%. Between 2021 and present, the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 10.6% to 12.7%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.5% to 10.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Braidwood's age structure. The 35 to 44 age group is projected to increase by 96 people (40%), from 241 to 338. Meanwhile, the number of individuals aged 55 to 64 is expected to decrease by 21.