Dudley

An assessment of population growth drivers in Dudley reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, Dudley's population is estimated at 2,515 as of Nov 2025. This reflects a 10-person increase (0.4%) since the 2021 Census figure of 2,505 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,482 residents following examination of ABS's June 2024 ERP data release and an additional 5 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 460 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 51.0% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 using a 2021 base year are applied. Growth rates by age group are used for all areas until 2041. Demographic trends suggest a population increase just below regional median levels nationwide, with Dudley expected to grow by 255 persons to 2041, reflecting an 11.9% total increase over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Dudley according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Dudley has recorded approximately five residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated twenty-five homes. So far in FY26, zero approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.6 people moved to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating demand significantly outpacing supply. This financial year has seen $190,000 in commercial approvals registered, reflecting Dudley's residential nature.

Compared to Rest of NSW, Dudley records markedly lower building activity, 52.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. Nationally, building activity is also lower, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 33.0% detached dwellings and 67.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant departure from existing housing patterns (currently 92.0% houses). The estimated count of 638 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects Dudley's quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Dudley will gain three hundred residents through to 2041, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth if current development rates continue.

Population forecasts indicate Dudley will gain 300 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Dudley has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to impact this region. Notable projects are Lonus Estate - Whitebridge, Redhead Business Park, Charlestown Swim Centre Expansion, and First Creek Realignment Project. The following details those most relevant.

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.

AreaSearch analysis places Dudley well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Dudley has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 2.8% in the past year.

Employment growth was estimated at 2.6%. As of September 2025, Dudley's unemployment rate is 1.0% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%, and its workforce participation is higher at 65.8%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. Health care & social assistance has a particularly high representation, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 0.3% of Dudley's workforce compared to 5.3% in Rest of NSW. The worker-to-resident ratio indicates above-average local employment opportunities. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 2.6%, while labour force increased by 3.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and a slight labour force decrease with similar unemployment rate change. State-level data from 25-Nov shows NSW's employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National forecasts project employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections vary based on Dudley's industry mix, suggesting potential growth of 7.4% over five years and 15.1% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest data for financial year 2023 shows that Dudley's median income is $68,554 and average income is $91,918. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Dudley are approximately $74,628 (median) and $100,062 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census data ranks Dudley's household, family, and personal incomes between the 84th and 90th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 26.3% of Dudley residents earn between $1,500 - 2,999 per week (661 individuals), consistent with broader regional trends at 29.9%. A substantial proportion of high earners (42.0%) in Dudley indicates strong economic capacity. After housing costs, residents retain 88.3% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Dudley's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.4% houses and 7.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 82.4% houses and 17.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dudley stood at 42.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.3% and rented dwellings at 14.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,324, exceeding Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Dudley was $420, higher than Non-Metro NSW's $370. Nationally, Dudley's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,324 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 81.3% of all households, including 40.9% couples with children, 29.2% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for 18.7%, consisting entirely of lone person households at the same percentage. Group households make up 0.6% of total households. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5 people.

Educational achievement in Dudley places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Dudley's educational attainment exceeds broader standards with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, compared to 21.3% in Rest of NSW and 23.5% in the SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 27.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 33.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 22.1%. Educational participation is notably high, with 30.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.7% in primary, 7.5% in secondary, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Analysis of public transport in Dudley shows that there are currently 25 active transport stops operating. These stops service a mix of bus routes, with 10 individual routes providing a total of 182 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 160 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, service frequency across all routes is 26 trips per day, which equates to approximately 7 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Dudley is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Dudley demonstrates above-average health outcomes with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 63% of Dudley's total population (1,588 people) has private health cover, compared to 54.4% across Rest of NSW and the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in Dudley are arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.7% and 7.7% of residents respectively.

71.2% of Dudley residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.6% across Rest of NSW. As of a recent study (date not specified), Dudley has 17.5% of residents aged 65 and over (440 people), which is lower than the 21.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors in Dudley are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

Dudley is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Dudley's population shows low cultural diversity, with 90.6% born in Australia, 94.7% being citizens, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by 44.5%. Judaism, at 0.3%, is overrepresented compared to Rest of NSW's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (31.6%), English (31.1%), and Scottish (9.6%). Notably, Welsh (1.1%) Polish (1.0%), and Macedonian (0.5%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.8%, 0.7%, and 0.4% respectively.

Dudley's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Dudley has a median age of 38, which is lower than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 but equivalent to the national norm of 38. The 5-14 age group comprises 15.1% of Dudley's population compared to the Rest of NSW figure, while the 75-84 cohort makes up 4.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 13.5% to 14.9%, and the 25 to 34 cohort has risen from 9.3% to 10.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has decreased from 11.9% to 11.0%. Demographic modeling indicates Dudley's age profile will significantly change by 2041. Leading this shift, the 35 to 44 group is projected to grow by 27%, from 374 to 475 people. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 cohorts.