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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 Canowindra is $440k, with units at $789k. House values have moved 6.9% 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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Canowindra has an estimated 2,516 residents, up from 2,437 at the 2021 Census — a change of 79 people, or 3.2%. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Following an examination of ABS demographic data updates for the wider region and address information validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Canowindra has an estimated residency of 2,516 people as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 79 individuals (3.2%) from the 2,437 people recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated from a resident base of 2,504, calculated by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus an additional 33 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population size translates to a density of 2.8 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment.
The 3.2% growth rate in the suburb of Canowindra since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA4 region (2.2%), establishing it as a leading growth area locally. This expansion was largely fueled by interstate migration, which accounted for approximately 62.0% of the overall population gains in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. Where such data is unavailable for specific SA2 locations, figures from the NSW State Government's SA2 projections released in 2022 using a 2021 baseline are applied. Age bracket growth trends derived from these sources are extended to all regions for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking at upcoming demographic changes, the area is set to experience population growth slightly below the median for national non-metropolitan zones, with projections indicating an addition of 235 residents by 2041, which represents an overall increase of 8.9% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
28 new dwellings have been approved in Canowindra over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 2.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 1, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis by AreaSearch of ABS building approvals allocated from statistical areas shows that Canowindra averages approximately 5 new residential approvals annually, with a total of 28 homes approved over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 1 approval has been registered. The relationship between housing supply and influx is stable, with an average of 1.6 people moving to the area for every completed home between FY-21 and FY-25. Newly constructed dwellings carry an average estimated value of $281,000, which is consistent with regional trends. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $1.6 million were logged this financial year, underscoring the predominantly residential focus of the community.
Recent construction approvals consist of 80.0% standalone houses and 20.0% townhouses or multi-unit dwellings, preserving the established low-density aesthetic and emphasizing spacious family living. This shows a clear departure from the current housing stock (where houses make up 95.0%), indicating fewer available plots for development alongside evolving household needs and a demand for varied, affordable housing styles. A quiet development landscape is highlighted by the ratio of 716 residents for every single home approval. Projections indicate that the suburb of Canowindra will add 223 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations by AreaSearch. Should current construction rates persist, the supply of new dwellings might fall short of population needs, which could increase buyer competition and push property prices upward.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Canowindra
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 66 current infrastructure and development projects close to Canowindra, worth an estimated $13.8 billion. 19 are already under construction and 20 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, health & medical and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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
Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and development works are key drivers of regional performance. In total, no projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to influence the immediate area. Major regional initiatives include Corridor Preservation For East Coast High Speed Rail, Paling Yards Wind Farm, Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, and the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project, with the most relevant local details listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Cowra High School Adjacent Residential Subdivision
A 110-allotment residential subdivision adjoining Chardonnay Hills Estate and adjacent to Cowra High School, approved for construction.
Chardonnay Hills Estate
Chardonnay Hills Estate is a residential subdivision located on the northwest side of Cowra Township in New South Wales, offering 66 approved allotments with elevated views over the Lachlan Valley. The lots range in size from 467m2 to 1,056m2 and are fully serviced with underground electricity, town water, sewerage, natural gas, telephone, NBN, and sealed roads.
Olympic Highway Safety Improvements
A rolling program of safety upgrades along the Olympic Highway corridor. Key active segments include a $5 million upgrade 13km north of Young involving road widening, drainage replacement, and safety barriers, and a $26 million package for overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing near Cowra. The program aims to reduce run-off-road crashes and improve regional freight efficiency between the Hume Highway and Cowra.
Yarrabilly Estate
A residential development featuring a community title seniors independent living project with 100 detached two-bedroom residences, a community building, and associated infrastructure, with potential for future stages as per the master plan.
Cowra Drought Security Project
The Cowra Drought Security Project has completed a 26-kilometre pipeline from the Billimari bore fields to the Lachlan River Pump Station, providing bore water access during droughts. The project includes two 60-metre-deep bores, a pump station, and a 200 KL storage reservoir.
Cowra Hospital Redevelopment
A $110.2 million redevelopment of Cowra Hospital featuring new emergency department, inpatient wards, maternity unit, palliative care facilities, and the hospital's first CT scanner. The project includes a modern two-level facility with enhanced views and improved access.
74 Kendal Street Commercial Redevelopment
Proposed redevelopment of commercial property to create modern office and retail spaces. The project will provide contemporary commercial facilities to support local business growth and attract new enterprises to the Cowra central business district.
Cowra Drought Resilience Plan
Comprehensive drought resilience planning initiative developed with the Future Drought Fund in partnership with Orange, Blayney, Cabonne, and Weddin councils. The program helps local businesses prepare for dry times by offering training, support, and advice on risk management, while improving awareness of mental health services and promoting tourism.
1,225 residents of Canowindra are employed, from a labour force of 1,279. Unemployment sits at 4.2%, with participation at 61.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,137, about 85% 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
The local workforce is diverse and skilled, with an unemployment rate of 4.2% based on aggregated statistical area data from AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 1,225 employed residents. This unemployment rate is 0.1% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation aligns closely with the Regional NSW average of 60.6%. Census records indicate that a moderate 17.7% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure may have been affected by COVID-19 restriction measures. The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector is heavily represented, with employment levels reaching 5.0 times the regional average. Conversely, construction is less prominent, employing 5.7% of the local workforce compared to the Regional NSW average of 9.7%. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local employment openings within the immediate area are limited. Data from the SALM and ABS, compiled across broader statistical sectors, indicates that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the local labour force shrank by 1.8% and overall employment fell by 2.9%, leading to a 1.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. Over the same timeframe, Regional NSW recorded a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% decline in the labour force, and a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term employment trends can be evaluated using national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to local employment sectors to model future demand. Globally, national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with significant variation across different industries. Mapping these trends onto the occupational distribution of Canowindra suggests local employment could grow by 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, assuming a basic weighted model that does not adjust for specific local population shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Canowindra is $1,099 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $609 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,799 a year against an average of $54,529. 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
According to the latest postcode ATO data released for the 2023 financial year, the suburb of Canowindra has a median taxpayer income of $43,799 and an average taxpayer income of $54,529. These figures sit below the national benchmarks, and compare with a median of $52,390 and average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index rise of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures as of March 2026 stand at approximately $48,319 for the median and $60,156 for the average. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes in Canowindra between the 7th and 13th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution shows that 27.7% of the community (696 people) earn within the $400 - 799 range, contrasting with the wider region where 29.9% of taxpayers are in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket. Although housing expenses are low with residents keeping 88.8% of their earnings, overall disposable income sits at the 12th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Canowindra had 930 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 1% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $220 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,100 a month. Rent absorbs 20.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the last Census, the housing mix in Canowindra consisted of 95.3% separate houses and 4.6% other options like semi-detached units, apartments, or alternative structures, compared to Regional NSW rates of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other residences. Home ownership was high at 48.5%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 28.4% and rentals making up 23.1%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,100 was lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent was $220, compared to the regional figure of $330. Nationally, mortgage outlays are significantly below the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also substantially lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Canowindra counted 930 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 77% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 65.7%, which includes 23.1% couples with children, 31.1% couples without children, and 11.0% single parent households. The remaining 34.3% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 30.6% and group households comprising 3.1% of the total. The median household size of 2.3 individuals is slightly lower than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.0% of adults in Canowindra hold a university qualification, including 13.6% with a bachelor degree and 2.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 30.5% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 515 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 977 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment levels present local challenges, as the proportion of residents with university qualifications (17.0%) is much lower than the NSW state average of 32.2%. Among these, bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.3%. Vocational and technical training is popular, with 41.0% of the population aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.5% and certificates at 30.5%. Enrolment levels in the community are high, with 28.4% of residents actively participating in formal study. This student population includes 11.2% in primary schools, 9.2% in secondary institutions, and 2.0% in tertiary education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Canowindra reaches 147 stops on 19 routes, timetabled for about 170 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. 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 include 147 transit stops within Canowindra, which are served by buses. These stops accommodate 19 different routes, providing a total of 169 weekly passenger journeys. Access is rated as good, with residents living an average of 212 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is mostly residential, meaning most workers travel outside the area to work, with cars remaining the primary choice for 90% of commuters, and 8% walking. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.6 cars per dwelling. Census data from 2021 shows that 17.7% of residents worked from home, which may be linked to pandemic restrictions.
Services average 24 runs per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 1 weekly journey per individual transit stop. The map shows the 100 closest stops relative to the center of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
60.4% of residents in Canowindra report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 82% of areas nationally. 7.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Local health profiles show notable challenges in Canowindra, according to AreaSearch indicators for mortality and chronic illness rates. The presence of common medical conditions is elevated across both younger and older cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is low at approximately 49% of the population (~1,221 people). This compares to a coverage rate of 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions recorded among residents were arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 12.2% and 9.1% of the population, respectively.
Meanwhile, 60.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic illness rates are elevated among the working-age population. Residents aged 65 and over make up 28.2% of the local population (709 people), exceeding the Regional NSW proportion of 23.4%. Health profiles for older residents show some issues, though national health percentiles align generally with the wider population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Canowindra is largely Australian-born, at 92.8% of residents, with 3.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.5%) and English (32.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures are low in Canowindra, where citizens constitute 86.9% of the population, 92.8% of residents were born in Australia, and 96.7% speak only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, accounting for 70.2% of the population, compared to 55.9% recorded across Regional NSW. Regarding family heritage, the most common ancestries identified are Australian at 33.5%, English at 32.0%, and Irish at 10.8%. Some ethnic ancestries show higher representation locally than regionally: Maltese makes up 0.7% of the population (compared to 0.4% in the region), French accounts for 0.5% (compared to 0.4%), and Scottish heritage is declared by 8.1% (compared to 8.0% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Canowindra is 48, older than 88% of areas nationally. 19.2% 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 median age of 48 years shows that Canowindra has an older demographic profile than Regional NSW, where the median is 43, and the nation, where the median is 38. The 75 - 84 age bracket is highly represented at 11.4% of the population, whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller at 8.0% compared to Regional NSW. The proportion of residents in the 75 - 84 age group exceeds the national benchmark of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 bracket has increased from 9.3% to 11.4% of the population, and the 85+ bracket has risen from 3.0% to 4.2%.
On the other hand, the 65 to 74 group fell from 14.7% to 12.6%, and the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 12.3% to 10.7%. Long-term demographic modeling indicates substantial shifts by 2041. The group aged 85+ is expected to grow by 91 people (86%), rising from 105 to 197. Seniors aged 65 and over will account for 61% of total population growth, highlighting the aging trend. In contrast, youth cohorts aged 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Canowindra
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 33 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,437 at the 2021 Census → 2,516 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 May 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 (SAL10795). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.