Chisholm (NSW)

Chisholm lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Chisholm (NSW) is around 7,139. This reflects a significant increase from the 2021 Census figure of 4,577 people, marking a growth of 2,562 individuals or approximately 56.0%. The recent resident population estimate by AreaSearch is 6,792, based on analysis of latest ERP data released by ABS in June 2024 and validation of 952 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 962 persons per square kilometer. Chisholm's growth rate exceeds that of Rest of NSW (5.9%) and the state, positioning it as a notable growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 71.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, with other factors such as natural growth and overseas migration also being positive influences.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Population growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. According to population projections, the suburb is expected to experience exceptional growth, placing it in the top 10 percent of national non-metropolitan areas, with an anticipated increase of 7,276 persons by 2041. This would reflect a total increase of approximately 97.0% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Chisholm was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Chisholm averaged approximately 242 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 1,214 homes were approved, with an additional 109 in FY-26. On average, 1.4 new residents arrived per new home over the past five financial years.

The average construction value of new properties was $393,000. In FY-26, $4.4 million in commercial approvals were registered. Compared to Rest of NSW, Chisholm had 361.0% more new home approvals per person as of the latest data. Building activity has slowed recently but remains above national average, reflecting strong developer confidence. New building activity comprised 75.0% detached dwellings and 25.0% townhouses or apartments, differing from the current housing mix of 100.0% houses. Chisholm shows characteristics of a growth area with around 27 people per dwelling approval.

Population forecasts indicate it will gain approximately 6,928 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Eleven projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly, with changes to local infrastructure being a major influence on performance. Notable projects include Chisholm Plaza, Raymond Terrace, Heatherbrae Strategy 2020-2040, Sophia Waters Estate, and Sophia Waters Sportsground. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Chisholm performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Chisholm's workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 0.7% as of December 2025. Over the past year, employment stability has been relatively high.

AreaSearch aggregated statistical area data shows that 2,966 residents were employed in December 2025, with an unemployment rate 3.3% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was broadly similar to Regional NSW's 61.3%. Census responses indicated that 26.5% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.

Chisholm showed strong specialization in mining, with an employment share twice the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented at 0.4% compared to Regional NSW's 5.3%. The predominantly residential area offered limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. From December 2024 to December 2025, Chisholm's labour force decreased by 0.2%, with a 0.1% employment decline, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced a 1.2% employment decline and a 0.8% labour force decline, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chisholm's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Chisholm is extremely high nationally. The median income is $68,549 while the average income stands at $79,813. This contrasts with Regional NSW's figures of a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $74,622 (median) and $86,884 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Chisholm, between the 89th and 94th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that the predominant cohort spans 39.0% of locals (2,784 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 29.9% in the same category. The substantial proportion of high earners (43.3% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout Chisholm. High housing costs consume 16.0% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 94th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Chisholm, as evaluated at the latest Census, consisted of 99.6% houses and 0.4% other dwellings. This compares to Regional NSW's figures of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chisholm was recorded at 18.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 61.7% and rented dwellings at 19.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,344, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure for Chisholm was $550, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Chisholm's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,344 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Chisholm features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 92.2% of all households, including 56.5% couples with children, 28.4% couples without children, and 6.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 7.8%, with lone person households at 6.6% and group households making up 1.7% of the total. The median household size is 3.2 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Chisholm shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Chisholm's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 27.3% hold university qualifications, compared to 15.2% in the SA4 region and 17.6% in the SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 42.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 13.5% and certificates at 28.5%.

Educational participation is high in the area, with 34.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.0% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Chisholm has 26 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 48 different routes that collectively offer 365 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is considered good, with residents typically located 271 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward using cars, which remain the dominant mode at 98%. On average, there are 2.0 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 26.5% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 52 trips per day, equating to roughly 14 weekly trips per individual stop.

Chisholm's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows Chisholm residents have positive health outcomes, mirroring national benchmarks closely. Common health conditions are low across all ages: mental health issues affect 9.1%, asthma impacts 8.1%, and 73.7% report no medical ailments, compared to Regional NSW's 63.3%.

Private health cover is high at 58% (4,172 people), versus Regional NSW's 51.9%. Under-65s have better-than-average health outcomes. The area has 9.4% residents aged 65 and over (671 people), lower than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Senior health outcomes are above average, aligning with national rankings.

In terms of cultural diversity, Chisholm records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Chisholm's population was found to align with the broader region's cultural diversity averages, with 84.1% born in Australia, 92.6% being citizens, and 87.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was identified as the predominant religion in Chisholm, comprising 60.7% of its population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (30.4%), English (29.4%), and Scottish (6.9%).

Notably, Korean representation was higher than average at 0.7%, compared to the regional average of 0.1%. Similarly, Indian representation stood at 4.3% in Chisholm versus the regional average of 0.6%, and Welsh representation was slightly higher at 0.6% compared to 0.5% regionally.

Chisholm hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Chisholm is 32 years, which is notably lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 and substantially below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, Chisholm has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (20.2%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (6.2%). This concentration of 35-44 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.3%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 has grown from 5.1% to 6.2%, while those aged 75 to 84 increased from 1.6% to 2.7%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5 to 14 has declined from 19.0% to 16.6%. By 2041, Chisholm is expected to experience significant shifts in its age composition, with the 35 to 44 age group projected to grow by 102%, reaching a total of 2,911 people from the current figure of 1,442.