Coolamon

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

The population of the Coolamon statistical area (Lv2) is estimated to be around 2,935 as of Nov 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 660 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,275. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,821 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 59 validated new addresses since the Census date. The Coolamon (SA2) has experienced a growth rate of 29.0% since the 2021 census, which exceeds the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.9%. This growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 56.00000000000001% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Considering these projections, the Coolamon (SA2) is expected to grow by 899 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 11.2% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates that Coolamon has had approximately 34 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling around 173 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 21 recorded approvals. The average population increase per dwelling built in the area between FY-21 and FY-25 was about 1.6 people per year, suggesting a balanced supply and demand. However, this has decreased to 0.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating better supply availability. Development projects have an average construction value of $451,000, reflecting a focus on premium properties.

This financial year has seen $3.9 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited commercial development activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Coolamon records 206% more construction activity per person, offering buyers greater choice and indicating strong developer confidence in the location. New building activity consists of 82% detached dwellings and 18% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character. The area has approximately 61 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. Future projections estimate that Coolamon will add around 328 residents by 2041 based on current development patterns, indicating that new housing supply should readily meet demand and potentially facilitate population growth beyond current projections.

Future projections show Coolamon adding 328 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified zero projects likely impacting this region. Notable initiatives are: Inland Rail - Albury to Illabo, Riverina Redevelopment Program, HumeLink, and Olympic Highway Safety Improvements. The following details projects most relevant.

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

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The labour market in Coolamon demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Coolamon has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, with an estimated employment growth of 3.9% over the past year according to AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 1,118 residents in work and the unemployment rate is 0.5% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation stands at 60.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. The area has a particular employment specialization in public administration & safety with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 13.9% versus the regional average of 16.9%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data for the wider area during the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 3.9% and labour force increased by 5.3%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced employment decline of 0.5% and labour force decline of 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer further insight into potential future demand within Coolamon. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggest national employment should expand by 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.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Coolamon is below the national average. The median income is $45,748 and the average income stands at $53,806. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where the median income is $52,390 and the average income is $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Coolamon would be approximately $49,801 (median) and $58,573 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Coolamon rank modestly, between the 30th and 38th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 30.5% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, which aligns with the metropolitan region where this cohort also represents 29.9%. After housing costs, 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 recorded at the latest Census, consisted of 96.4% houses and 3.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 88.4% houses and 11.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coolamon stood at 40.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.1% and rented dwellings at 18.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Coolamon was $270, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $280. Nationally, Coolamon's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,500 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Coolamon has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

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

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.4%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (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. These include both train and bus services. There are 15 routes in total, offering 192 weekly passenger trips collectively.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 145 meters from the nearest stop. On average, there are 27 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Coolamon. Both younger and older age groups show high prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of the total population (~1,416 people), compared to 51.5% across Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (11.0%) and arthritis (9.7%). A majority (61.9%) report no medical ailments, which is lower than the Rest of NSW figure at 64.5%. Coolamon has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over (22.1%, or 648 people) compared to Rest of NSW (19.6%). Health outcomes among seniors in Coolamon generally align with those of the broader population.

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 showed low cultural diversity, with 95.1% born in Australia and 93.9% being citizens. English was the home language for 98.5%. Christianity dominated religiously at 68.0%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 64.3%.

Ancestry-wise, Australians (34.8%), English (32.2%) and Irish (10.7%) were most prevalent. Notably, French ancestry was higher at 0.6% compared to the regional average of 0.3%, Scottish at 8.6% versus 8.0%, and Australian Aboriginal at 4.0% against 4.5%.

Coolamon's median age exceeds the national pattern

Coolamon's median age is 42 years, similar to Rest of NSW's average of 43, but older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 5-14 are prominent at 15.0%, while the 15-24 group is smaller at 9.9% compared to Rest of NSW. Between 2021 and present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 11.3% to 12.7%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 cohort has declined from 11.5% to 9.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Coolamon. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 25%, adding 92 residents to reach 465. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 cohorts.