Calala

Calala lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Calala's population was estimated at around 5,220 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 643 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,577 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 5,147 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 196 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 81 persons per square kilometer. Calala's growth rate of 14.0% since the 2021 census exceeded that of the SA4 region (4.4%) and the non-metro area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 44.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and interstate migration 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. Future population trends indicate an increase just below Australia's regional median, with Calala expected to gain 560 persons by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total gain of 3.0% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates that Calala has seen approximately 41 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 207 homes. As of FY-26, 8 approvals have been recorded. This results in an average of 1.1 people moving to the area per dwelling built over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), suggesting a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. The average construction value for new dwellings is $514,000.

In terms of commercial development, Calala has registered $9.9 million in approvals this financial year, indicating moderate levels of activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Calala has 91.0% more construction activity per person. This should provide buyers with ample choice, although building activity has slowed in recent years. The current new development mix consists of 61.0% detached dwellings and 39.0% attached dwellings, including a growing number of townhouses and apartments. This shift from the area's existing housing stock (currently 96.0% houses) reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles, indicating a need for more diverse and affordable housing options.

With around 228 people per dwelling approval, Calala shows a developing market with future projections estimating an addition of 155 residents by 2041 (based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects likely impacting the region. Key initiatives include Calala Battery Energy Storage System, Goonoo Goonoo Commercial Precinct, The Outlook Estate, and Redbank Estate (Calala). Below is a list detailing 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.

The exceptional employment performance in Calala places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Calala has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 0.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.3%.

As of June 2025, there are 2,886 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is high at 65.6% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Education & training has a particularly strong presence with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 2.9% compared to 5.3% regionally. The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.8, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Over the year ending June 2025, employment increased by 4.3%, while labour force grew by 4.0%, reducing unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1% and unemployment rise by 0.4%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Calala's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Calala has a median taxpayer income of $58,006 and an average income of $69,882, based on the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. This is higher than the national average, contrasting with Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998. As of September 2025, current estimates project a median income of approximately $65,321 and an average income of $78,694, factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since the financial year 2022. Census data indicates that incomes in Calala cluster around the 59th percentile nationally. Income analysis shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 38.5% of the community (2,009 individuals), which aligns with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 29.9% in the same category. After housing costs, 86.5% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

Calala is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The dwelling structure in Calala, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.1% houses and 3.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 89.5% houses and 10.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Calala stood at 30.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.6% and rented ones at 26.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,600, above Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,500. The median weekly rent in Calala was $350, higher than Non-Metro NSW's figure of $300. Nationally, Calala's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,600 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were also lower at $350 compared to the national figure of $375.

Calala has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 75.6% of all households, including 34.0% couples with children, 27.8% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 24.4%, with lone person households at 21.7% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Calala exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area has university qualification rates at 19.9%, considerably lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 31.0%. Educational participation is high, with 34.5% currently enrolled in formal education: secondary (13.6%), primary (11.2%), and tertiary (3.1%).

Schools include Carinya Christian School Tamworth and Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, serving 1,409 students total. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1029) with balanced educational opportunities. There is one secondary and one K-12 school. It functions as an education hub with 27.0 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 16.4, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

The analysis of public transport in Calala shows that there are currently 111 active transport stops operating within the city. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 39 individual routes providing service. Together, these routes offer 270 weekly passenger trips to residents.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 107 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, there are 38 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.

Calala's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Calala's health metrics are close to national benchmarks, with common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 55%, or about 2,848 people.

This compares to a rate of 50% across the rest of NSW. The most common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 10.2% and 9.4% of residents respectively. A total of 66.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across the rest of NSW. As of 2021, 14.8% of residents are aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 19.9% in the rest of NSW. This places Calala's health profile broadly in line with the general population.

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

Calala's population showed low cultural diversity, with 92.2% citizens, 93.2% born in Australia, and 95.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 64.4%, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW's 63.6%. Ancestry-wise, Australian (34.9%), English (29.5%), and Scottish (8.0%) were the top groups.

Notably, Australian Aboriginal were overrepresented at 7.7% compared to the regional 9.4%, while Welsh (0.5%) and South African (0.3%) also had higher percentages than their respective regional averages of 0.3% and 0.2%.

Calala's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

The median age in Calala is 33 years, which is significantly lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and also substantially under the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Calala at 15.9%, while the 55-64 year-olds are under-represented at 8.8%. According to data from the post-2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 14.4% to 15.9% of Calala's population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 10.9% to 9.3%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Calala. Leading this shift, the 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 16%, adding 133 people and reaching a total of 963 from the current figure of 829. Meanwhile, both the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.