Coolamon

Population growth drivers in Coolamon are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Feb 2026, the population of the suburb of Coolamon is estimated at around 2,958, reflecting a 30.0% increase since the 2021 Census which reported 2,275 people. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,821 residents in Jun 2024 and 60 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 10.0 persons per square kilometer. Coolamon's growth exceeded its SA3 area (4.2%) and SA4 region, making it a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 56% of overall gains, with other factors like interstate migration also positive. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year.

Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Coolamon's population is forecasted to increase by 1,428 persons, reflecting a total gain of 43.6% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Coolamon among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis using ABS building approval numbers derived from statistical area data, Coolamon averaged approximately 32 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 162 homes were approved, with an additional 25 approved so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years, an average of 1.7 people moved to the area for each dwelling built, indicating a balanced supply-demand dynamic that has moderated to 0.8 people per dwelling over the last two financial years. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $451,000, targeting the premium market segment.

This year, there have been $3.9 million in commercial approvals, reflective of the area's residential character. Compared to Rest of NSW, Coolamon records 173.0% more development activity per person, offering buyers greater choice and suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. Building activity comprises 79.0% standalone homes and 21.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density character while responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns that are currently 96.0% houses. The location has approximately 67 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections estimate Coolamon adding 1,291 residents by 2041, with development keeping pace with projected growth, although buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Future projections show Coolamon adding 1,291 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Development is keeping reasonable pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Coolamon has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified zero projects impacting this area. Notable projects are: Inland Rail from Albury to Illabo, Riverina Redevelopment Program, HumeLink, and Olympic Highway Safety Improvements. Relevant details for these projects follow.

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 employment landscape in Coolamon presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.1%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Coolamon has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.1%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 1,086 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.8% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Coolamon lags behind Regional NSW at 49.4%, compared to its regional counterpart's 61.3%. Census responses indicate that only 11.2% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. The area shows strong specialization in public administration & safety with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance has limited presence at 13.9% compared to Regional NSW's 16.9%.

Limited local employment opportunities are suggested by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Coolamon's labour force decreased by 2.8%, with employment decreasing by 3.2%, causing an unemployment rate rise of 0.4 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 offer insight into potential future demand within Coolamon. These projections estimate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Coolamon's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows that Coolamon had a median taxpayer income of $45,748 and an average income of $53,806. These figures are lower than national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 in Regional NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated median and average incomes for Coolamon as of September 2025 would be approximately $49,801 and $58,573 respectively. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Coolamon rank modestly between the 30th and 38th percentiles. Income distribution shows that the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket is dominant with 30.5% of residents (902 people), similar to regional levels where 29.9% fall into this bracket. After housing expenses, 86.5% of income remains for other expenses.

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

The dwelling structure in Coolamon, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.4% houses and 3.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coolamon was at 40.2%, similar to Regional NSW. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (41.1%) or rented (18.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,500, lower than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $270, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Coolamon's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 73.5% of all households, including 28.6% couples with children, 32.6% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 26.5%, with lone person households at 25.0% and group households comprising 1.9% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Coolamon fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area has university qualification rates of 18.4%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are held by 38.3% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.5% and certificates at 28.8%. Educational participation is high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.5% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Coolamon has 126 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are covered by 15 individual routes, providing 192 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 145 meters from the nearest stop. Most commuting is outward-bound due to Coolamon's residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 94%, while walking accounts for 5%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 11.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 27 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Coolamon faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. The area has a notably low private health cover rate of approximately 48%, compared to Regional NSW's 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (11.0%) and arthritis (9.7%), while 61.9% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Regional NSW's 63.3%.

The working-age population has elevated chronic condition rates. Coolamon has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 24.5%, compared to Regional NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly in line with national rankings.

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

Coolamon's population shows low cultural diversity, with 95.1% born in Australia, 93.9% being citizens, and 98.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 68.0%, compared to Regional NSW's 55.9%. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (34.8%), English (32.2%), and Irish (10.7%).

Notably, French ancestry is overrepresented at 0.6% in Coolamon versus 0.4% regionally, Scottish at 8.6% versus 8.0%, and Australian Aboriginal at 4.0% compared to the regional average of 4.6%.

Coolamon's median age exceeds the national pattern

Coolamon's median age is 42 years, similar to Regional NSW's average of 43 but considerably older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile indicates that those aged 5-14 years are particularly prominent at 14.1%, while the 15-24 group is relatively smaller at 9.3% compared to Regional NSW. Between 2021 and present, the 65-74 age group has grown from 11.3% to 12.3% of the population. Conversely, the 15-24 cohort has declined from 11.5% to 9.3%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 suggest substantial demographic changes in Coolamon, with the 25-34 age group projected to grow by 48%, adding 172 residents to reach a total of 530.