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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 Cootamundra is $485k, with units at $397k. House values have moved 7.0% 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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Cootamundra has an estimated 6,896 residents. 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
According to ABS demographic updates and fresh address validation from AreaSearch, the suburb of Cootamundra has an estimated population of 6,896 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 11 people (0.2%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 6,885 residents. The calculation stems from an estimated resident population of 6,896 based on the June 2025 ABS ERP figures alongside 38 validated new addresses registered since the census. The population density is 7.8 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious living environment. The local post-census expansion of 0.2% is within 2.0 percentage points of the wider SA4 region (2.2%), showing steady growth.
Population expansion was driven almost entirely by overseas migration, which served as the primary source of gains in recent times. Projections utilize 2024 ABS and Geoscience Australia datasets with a 2022 baseline for each SA2 area. Where unavailable, 2022 NSW State Government SA2 projections with a 2021 baseline are substituted. Age bracket growth trends from these datasets are projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Future expectations suggest the suburb of Cootamundra will track in the lower quartile of national regional growth, with projections indicating an increase of 259 residents by 2041, representing a total rise of 3.8% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
80 new dwellings have been approved in Cootamundra over the past five years, an average of 16 a year. That is 2.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 14, broadly in line with 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
Data from ABS building approvals compiled by AreaSearch indicates that Cootamundra averages approximately 16 residential approvals annually, amounting to 80 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 13 approvals have been logged. With a ratio of 0.1 people added per year for every dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, building activity matches or runs ahead of demand. This gives purchasers increased choice and supports population expansion that may outpace current predictions. The average value of these new residential builds is $423,000, which is slightly higher than the regional average and points to a focus on higher-quality projects.
Additionally, commercial approvals stand at $7.0 million for this financial year, showing a modest focus on commercial construction. Construction activity in Cootamundra is substantially quiet, sitting 53.0% below the regional average per capita when compared to the Rest of NSW. This constrained pipeline of new stock generally helps maintain values and demand for existing houses. Building volume is also below the national average, reflecting the established nature of the locality and potential planning constraints. Detached houses comprise 89.0% of the new builds, while attached dwellings make up 11.0%, maintaining the low-density environment and appealing to buyers seeking extra space. The ratio of 811 residents per single dwelling approval highlights the low-activity development climate. Demographic predictions indicate that Cootamundra will add 259 residents up to 2041 compared to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly figures. Existing construction rates suggest housing supply will satisfy demand, providing advantageous purchasing conditions and potentially paving the way for growth that exceeds current predictions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Cootamundra
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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 51 current infrastructure and development projects close to Cootamundra, worth an estimated $560 million. 15 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, environmental & disaster management and transport & logistics. 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 and planning changes significantly impact area performance. AreaSearch has identified 2 projects expected to influence the locality. The primary projects comprise The Wired Lab - The Church (Muttama Cultural Tourism Project), Inland Rail - Illabo to Stockinbingal, Smart Water Meter Replacement Program, and the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Single Local Environmental Plan Development, with key details provided 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
Harden Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade
Remediation and upgrade of the Harden sewage treatment plant to restore and improve performance following storm and flood impacts. Works included rehabilitation and realignment of treatment ponds, construction of spillways, and upgrades to recycled water rising mains. Council indicated works commencing December 2024 with completion targeted for April 2025; project is now treated as complete.
Dog on the Tuckerbox Site - Proposed Mixed-Use Development (DA2023/116)
Development Application for a proposed mixed-use development at the Dog on the Tuckerbox site, including office, retail, and food and drink premises.
Annie Pyers Drive Upgrade
An upgrade project for Annie Pyers Drive in the Cootamundra-Gundagai region.
Water Reticulation System Extension to Dog on the Tuckerbox Site
This project will bring the supply of potable water to the Dog on the Tuckerbox precinct, enhancing planned development at the site and allowing for future expansion.
MACTON Industrial Subdivision
Prestige industrial land subdivision creating 10 fully serviced lots for industrial, warehousing, and logistics uses, with concrete paved cul-de-sac, security fencing, and B-Double route approval. The subdivision is physically complete and council compliant, with some lots sold and remaining lots available for purchase.
Young Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrades
Hilltops Council is undertaking comprehensive stormwater drainage and flood mitigation infrastructure upgrades across the Young township. The scope includes hydraulic capacity improvements, drainage network renewal, and water quality treatment measures to reduce local overland flooding and enhance environmental outcomes along Burrangong Creek.
Hill Street Subdivision Young
New land development by Mellross Communities off Hills Street, Young. Titled and ready for construction with fully serviced lots including Colorbond fencing and building pads. Located in prime position surrounded by upmarket lifestyle properties with natural fall and tranquil backdrop.
Burrangong Creek Bridge Duplication
Duplication of existing bridge along Henry Lawson Way in Young to improve connectivity for surrounding towns, increase load limits and safety, and extend bridge lifespan. Project includes traffic management and approach road improvements during construction phase.
2,641 residents of Cootamundra are employed, from a labour force of 2,730. Unemployment sits at 3.3%, with participation at 46.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 6,255, about 91% 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 exhibits a steady split between blue-collar and white-collar roles, with a solid footprint in essential service industries and a low unemployment rate of 3.3% according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. As of March 2026, there are 2,641 employed residents. The unemployment rate sits 0.8% below the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, whereas workforce participation is notably lower at 46.5% compared to the regional figure of 60.6%. Census data indicates that 8.5% of working residents operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The primary sectors employing local residents are retail trade, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and health care & social assistance. The local economy is highly concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, employing residents at 1.8 times the regional average rate. Conversely, accommodation & food is under-represented, employing 5.2% of the local workforce compared to 7.8% in Regional NSW. A comparison of census working population figures against resident data suggests local employment options are somewhat limited. According to AreaSearch evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics for the 12 months ending March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 3.4% and total employment fell by 2.8%, which led to a 0.6 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% decline in the labor force, and a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. National forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide a basis for analyzing future demand in Cootamundra. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to local industry patterns. While total national employment is predicted to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates vary by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry distribution suggests local job numbers will grow by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, based on a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for specific local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Cootamundra is $1,037 a week (about $54,000 a year), with median personal income at $587 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,248 a year against an average of $59,418. 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 financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch, income levels in Cootamundra trend below the national average. The median income for local taxpayers is $46,248 and the average income is $59,418, compared to Regional NSW marks of $52,390 and $65,215. Adjusting for a 10.32% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be roughly $51,021 for the median and $65,550 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes all placed between the 4th and 10th percentiles nationally.
Looking at the distribution of earnings, 29.8% of the population (2,055 people) earn between $400 - 799, whereas the dominant bracket in the surrounding region is $1,500 - 2,999 at 29.9%. Although housing costs are low, with residents keeping 88.3% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 8th percentile nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Cootamundra had 2,852 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 1% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 50% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $220 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,149 a month. Rent absorbs 21.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.6%. 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 local housing mix consisted of 91.6% houses and 8.4% semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and other housing types, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership was high at 50.0%, with the remaining properties split between mortgaged homes (25.6%) and rentals (24.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,149 was notably lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $220 was below the regional figure of $330. Nationally, local mortgage commitments are well below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially lower than the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Cootamundra counted 2,852 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 87% of areas nationally, against 34% couples without children. 33% 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 64.8% of households, consisting of couples with children at 20.0%, couples without children at 34.1%, and single-parent households at 10.1%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 35.2%, comprising single-person households at 33.2% and group housing at 1.9%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is slightly smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.1% of adults in Cootamundra hold a university qualification, including 9.6% with a bachelor degree and 1.8% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 89% of areas nationally. A further 30.6% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 905 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 922 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 show that 13.1% of residents hold a university qualification, which is lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Among these, bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 1.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Vocational education is prominent, with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 30.6%. Enrolment in formal education is high, with 25.0% of the population currently studying. This group includes 9.8% in primary schools, 7.9% in secondary schools, and 1.5% in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Cootamundra reaches 222 stops on 35 routes, timetabled for about 880 services a week. The typical home sits about 150 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 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
Public transport services include 222 active stops in Cootamundra, providing train and bus connections. These stops are served by 35 routes, which accommodate 875 weekly passenger journeys. Access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 152 meters from their nearest stop. Commuting patterns show most residents travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 91%, followed by walking at 6%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.3 per household, which is below the regional average. Working from home is relatively low at 8.5% according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Service frequency averages 125 daily trips across all routes, representing approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop. The map highlights the 100 closest stops to the central point of the location.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
56.2% of residents in Cootamundra report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 9.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch regarding mortality and chronic disease show notable challenges for Cootamundra, with illness prevalent across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low, held by approximately 50% of the population (~3,479 people), compared to a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most common diagnoses, affecting 12.8% and 9.5% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 56.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. The working-age bracket faces notable health difficulties, and 34.4% of the population is aged 65 and over (2,372 people), compared to 23.4% regionally.
Senior health outcomes present challenges, though national rankings are generally consistent with the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cootamundra is largely Australian-born, at 92.5% of residents, with 2.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.5%) and Australian (32.9%). 5.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics are below average, with citizens making up 91.7% of the population, 92.5% born in Australia, and 97.3% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 69.5% of residents, compared to 55.9% in Regional NSW. The top ancestries reported are English at 33.5%, Australian at 32.9%, and Irish at 10.6%. Certain backgrounds show variations from regional norms, with Australian Aboriginal residents making up 5.1% of the population (compared to 4.6% regionally), Samoan residents at 0.1% (compared to 0.1%), and German ancestry at 3.2% (compared to 3.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Cootamundra is 51, older than 93% of areas nationally. 19.4% 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 51 years is higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. The 75 - 84 age group is over-represented locally at 12.6% compared to the regional average, and is also above the national level of 6.1%, while 35 - 44 year-olds are under-represented at 7.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 bracket grew from 10.9% to 12.6%, and the 15 to 24 group rose from 9.3% to 10.6%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 group fell from 14.7% to 13.2%, and the 35 to 44 cohort decreased from 8.9% to 7.8%.
By 2041, demographic shifts will see the 85+ bracket grow by 40% (141 people), rising from 351 to 493. Residents aged 65+ will account for 53% of the projected growth, while the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 brackets are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Cootamundra
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 — 38 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,885 at the 2021 Census → 6,896 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 (SAL11053). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.