Cootamundra

Cootamundra is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Cootamundra statistical area (Lv2) is around 6,906 people. This figure reflects an increase of 21 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,885. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 6,883 in Jun 2024, based on ABS ERP data and 12 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density for the Cootamundra (SA2) as of Nov 2025 is approximately 7.8 persons per square kilometer. This level of population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in Jun 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area, and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by ABS data. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas until 2041. Future population trends suggest that the Cootamundra (SA2) is expected to increase by 281 persons to reach a total of 7,187 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 3.8% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Cootamundra is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Cootamundra has seen around 14 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling approximately 74 homes. In FY26 so far, 7 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.1 person moves to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average construction value of new homes is $423,000.

This financial year, $7.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to Rest of NSW, Cootamundra has 57.0% lower building activity per person. New building activity comprises 89.0% standalone homes and 11.0% medium and high-density housing. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1059 people. Future projections suggest Cootamundra will add 260 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to meet demand adequately.

Future projections show Cootamundra adding 260 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified two projects likely affecting the region: The Wired Lab - The Church (Muttama Cultural Tourism Project) and Inland Rail - Illabo to Stockinbingal. Other notable projects include the Smart Water Meter Replacement Program and the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Single Local Environmental Plan Development.

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

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Cootamundra has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Cootamundra has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, notable in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.5%, lower than the Rest of NSW's 3.8%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.2%. As of September 2025, there are 2,654 residents employed with a participation rate of 45.9% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance (31.7%), retail trade (23.8%), and agriculture, forestry & fishing (19.0%). The latter has particularly high concentration at 1.8 times the regional average.

However, accommodation & food services are under-represented with only 5.2% of workforce compared to Rest of NSW's 7.8%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data. In the year ending September 2025, employment increased by 4.2%, labour force by 5.0%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.7 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.5% and unemployment rose by 0.4%. As of 25-Nov-25, NSW's unemployment rate is 3.9%, slightly lower than the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cootamundra's industry mix suggests local employment could increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data shows Cootamundra had a median taxpayer income of $46,248 and an average of $59,418 in financial year 2023. Nationally, the averages were $52,390 and $65,215 respectively for Rest of NSW. By September 2025, adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%, median income is estimated at $50,346 and average at $64,682. As per the 2021 Census, Cootamundra's incomes rank between the 4th and 10th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows 29.8% of residents earn between $400-$799, compared to 29.9% earning $1,500-$2,999 in the region. Housing costs are modest, with 88.3% of income retained, but disposable income ranks at just the 8th percentile nationally.

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

The latest Census showed that in Cootamundra, 91.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 8.4% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 88.4% houses and 11.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cootamundra was at 50.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.6% and rented ones at 24.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,149, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent figure in Cootamundra was $220, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $280. Nationally, Cootamundra's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Cootamundra features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 64.8% of all households, including 20.0% couples with children, 34.1% couples without children, and 10.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.2%, with lone person households at 33.2% and group households comprising 1.9% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Cootamundra faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 13.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (30.6%). Educational participation is high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.8% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cootamundra has 220 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 35 individual routes that facilitate 875 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance from residents to the nearest transport stop is 152 meters, indicating excellent accessibility.

Daily service frequency averages 125 trips across all routes, which translates to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Cootamundra is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Cootamundra faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 50% (~3484 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.7%.

Common medical conditions include arthritis (12.8%) and mental health issues (9.5%). Conversely, 56.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.5% in Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 32.9% (~2272 people), compared to 19.6% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors generally align with the broader population's health profile.

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

Cootamundra, as per the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index of below average. Its population was composed of 91.7% citizens, with 92.5% born in Australia and 97.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 69.5%, compared to 64.3% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.5%), Australian (32.9%), and Irish (10.6%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation stood at 5.1%, higher than the regional average of 4.5%. Samoan and German representations were 0.1% each, with German being slightly lower than the regional average of 3.9%.

Cootamundra ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Cootamundra's median age at 51 years is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 75-84 cohort is notably over-represented in Cootamundra (12.3%) while the 35-44 age group is under-represented (8.0%). The local concentration of the 75-84 age group is well above the national average of 6.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows that from 2016 to 2021, the percentage of Cootamundra's population aged 75 to 84 increased from 10.9% to 12.3%, while the 15 to 24 age group increased from 9.3% to 10.5%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group declined from 14.7% to 13.7%. By 2041, Cootamundra's population aged 85 and above is expected to grow by 59%, reaching 483 people from 303. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 57% of projected growth. Conversely, both the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.