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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 Estella is $720k, with units at $648k. House values have moved 7.1% 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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Estella has an estimated 2,799 residents, up from 2,541 at the 2021 Census — a change of 258 people, or 10.2%. Growth has averaged 1.9% a year over five years. That puts 1,407 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Drawing from ABS population statistics for the surrounding region alongside address verifications completed by AreaSearch following the Census, the suburb of Estella has an estimated population of 2,799 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 258 people (10.2%) from the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 2,541 people. This adjustment is derived from a resident headcount of 2,742, calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 in combination with 11 validated new addresses identified after the Census. The suburb of Estella has a population density of 1,406 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical figure for locations evaluated by AreaSearch.
The 10.2% increase in the suburb of Estella since the 2021 census outpaced the SA4 region (2.2%) and the SA3 area, positioning it as a local leader in expansion. The primary contributor to this growth was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 36.0% of the overall population rise, though other components including natural increase and overseas migration also made positive contributions. Projections for each SA2 area are sourced from ABS and Geoscience Australia figures published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, while any SA2 areas lacking this coverage utilize NSW State Government projections published in 2022 with a 2021 base year. Growth rates for specific age categories from these aggregations are applied to all localities for the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic forecasts indicate that the suburb of Estella is on track for outstanding growth that ranks in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan locations in Australia, with the population projected to expand by 1,638 persons by 2041, representing a total increase of 56.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential construction in Estella is very quiet, averaging 1 new dwellings annually, totaling 6 dwellings over the five-year period. This minimal development is typical for rural locations where housing requirements are modest and building activity is restricted by local demand and infrastructure capacity. Because of the small sample size, individual development initiatives can heavily skew annual statistics and comparisons. Building activity in Estella is considerably quieter than in the Rest of NSW, and the development rate falls well below national benchmarks. Furthermore, all recent construction has consisted of standalone houses, preserving the rural feel of the locality and its focus on spacious living.
Developers are focusing on detached housing at a higher rate than the historic proportion suggests (which was 82.0% at the Census), showing sustained interest in family homes despite broader trends toward higher density. With a ratio of approximately 5450 people per approval, Estella presents as a mature and settled community. Demographic projections indicate that Estella is set to add 1,581 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. If the current pace of building continues, the supply of housing may not keep up with population growth, which could increase buyer rivalry and support rising property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Estella
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Estella. A further 38 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.26 billion. 7 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and sports & recreation. 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, planning choices, and major developments are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 3 projects expected to influence the locality. Notable projects include the Boorooma Neighbourhood Shopping Centre, the Northern Growth Area Sewer Upgrades, the Mount Austin Manor Houses - Social Housing, and the expansion of the Charles Sturt University Innovation Campus, with the detailed list focusing on those of greatest local significance.
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
Northern Growth Area Sewer Upgrades
Major $21.23 million sewer infrastructure upgrades to provide capacity for housing growth in northern growth area and industrial growth in Bomen Special Activation Precinct. Part of $70.8 million infrastructure package to support 14,500 homes.
Boorooma Neighbourhood Shopping Centre
A newly completed neighborhood shopping precinct in Wagga Wagga's northern growth corridor. The center is anchored by a Coles supermarket and Liquorland, which opened in December 2025. The broader precinct features a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant (opened January 2026), a Subway (opened July 2025), a service station, and specialty retail including Chemist Warehouse and Domino's. The development serves as a primary hub for the expanding Boorooma and Estella suburbs.
Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Emergency Department Expansion
Expansion and modernization of emergency department facilities including additional treatment bays, upgraded imaging services, improved patient flow areas and enhanced trauma facilities.
Charles Sturt University Innovation Campus Expansion
Major campus expansion including new research facilities, technology incubator spaces, student accommodation, upgraded laboratories, collaborative learning areas, and innovation hub. Designed to support agricultural technology research, entrepreneurship programs, and regional industry partnerships. Features advanced laboratories, collaborative spaces, startup incubators and industry partnership facilities to support agricultural technology and veterinary science research.
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre - Performing Arts Masterplan
Comprehensive redevelopment of Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre including theatre upgrades, new rehearsal spaces, expanded foyer areas, improved accessibility, backstage facilities, and integration with adjacent cultural precinct. Part of performing arts masterplan to enhance regional cultural offerings.
Wagga Wagga Arts & Culture Quarter
Cultural precinct development including upgraded performing arts venues, gallery spaces, artist studios, public art installations and enhanced streetscape connecting key cultural facilities
7-Eleven Wagga Wagga Service Station
The first 7-Eleven in Wagga Wagga, featuring a 24-hour convenience store, fuel station, and amenities, replacing existing buildings at the site.
Wagga Wagga PCYC Multi-Purpose Complex
New multi-purpose community facility including indoor sports courts, gymnasium, youth activity areas, community meeting spaces, office facilities, and associated car parking. Designed to provide youth programs, community services, and recreational opportunities for the Riverina region.
1,459 residents of Estella are employed, from a labour force of 1,465. Unemployment sits at 0.4%, with participation at 66.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,132, about 76% 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 labour force in Estella is highly educated, with strong employment in essential services and an unemployment rate of only 0.4%, according to aggregated statistical data from AreaSearch. In March 2026, there are 1,459 residents in employment, which keeps the local unemployment rate 3.7% below the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation is exceptionally high at 66.7% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census records show that a modest 9.1% of employees worked from their homes, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 lockdown measures. The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.
The locality shows a distinct concentration in education & training, where the employment share is 1.5 times the regional proportion. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing is underrepresented at 3.0% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Given the difference between the census working population and the resident population, this heavily residential area appears to offer few local jobs. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data for wider statistical areas, the 12 months ending March 2026 saw the local labour force shrink by 4.7% and total employment fall by 4.3%, which translated to a 0.4 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% drop in the labour force, and a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide a broader context for future demand trends in Estella. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry mix to estimate future job patterns. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expected growth rates vary widely by sector. Applying these industry projections to the local workforce mix suggests employment in Estella could rise by 6.7% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, noting that this calculation is a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Estella is $1,920 a week (about $100,000 a year), with median personal income at $916 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,853 a year against an average of $75,448. 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 the latest postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023, the median taxpayer income in Estella is $61,853, with an average of $75,448. This represents a very high level nationally, compared to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusting these figures for the 10.32% growth in the Wage Price Index since the financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $68,236 for the median and $83,234 for the average in March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in Estella sit around the 64th percentile nationally.
Income distribution details reveal that the largest single cohort, representing 39.0% of local taxpayers (1,091 people), falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, which is higher than the wider regional pattern where 29.9% are in this range. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at 85.7%, and the area ranks in the 6th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Estella had 893 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 83% detached houses and 5% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 34% rented and 28% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $380 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,667 a month. Rent absorbs 19.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.0%. 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 most recent Census, the distribution of residential properties in Estella stood at 82.5% standalone houses and 17.5% alternative dwellings, such as townhouses and apartments, which closely mirrors the Regional NSW breakdown of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Estella is lower than the Regional NSW average at 28.4%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (37.3%) or rented (34.3%). Homeowners face a median monthly mortgage payment of $1,667, while tenants pay a median weekly rent of $380, compared to regional benchmarks of $1,733 and $330 respectively.
On a national scale, mortgage payments in Estella are notably lower than the Australian average of $1,863, whereas weekly rents sit above the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Estella counted 893 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 984 today, averaging 2.6 people each. 33% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 24% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households in Estella at 69.5%, consisting of couples with children at 33.0%, couples without children at 25.2%, and single-parent households at 10.0%. Non-family households account for the remaining 30.5%, with single-person households representing 23.8% and shared group households making up 6.7%. The median household size of 2.6 residents is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
30.8% of adults in Estella hold a university qualification, including 20.9% with a bachelor degree and 6.7% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 99% of areas nationally. A further 25.4% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The level of education in Estella is significantly higher than regional averages, with 30.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 18.7% in the SA4 region and 20.4% in the SA3 area. This strong academic profile prepares the community well for professional and knowledge-based careers. Undergraduate degrees are the most common qualification at 20.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.2%. Vocational education is also highly prevalent, with 35.1% of residents aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 9.7% and certificates at 25.4%.
Enrolment in education is remarkably high in Estella, with 37.1% of the population actively participating in formal study. This student population includes 10.8% attending primary schools, 9.9% enrolled in higher education, and 8.8% studying at the secondary level.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Estella reaches 18 stops on 14 routes, timetabled for about 350 services a week. The typical home sits about 150 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.5 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
An analysis of public transport shows 18 active transit stops within Estella, which are served by buses. These stops accommodate 14 different routes that provide 349 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is excellent, with residents living an average of 147 meters from the nearest stop. Because of the suburb's residential nature, most workers travel outside the area for employment, and cars remain the primary transport mode for 96% of commuters. Average vehicle ownership is 1.5 per household. A small proportion of residents, 9.1%, worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect the pandemic circumstances of that year.
Service frequency across all local transit routes averages 49 trips per day, which translates to approximately 19 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.7% of residents in Estella report no long-term health condition. 6.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.7 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, which analyze mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, indicate that Estella faces notable health concerns, with common medical conditions spread across both younger and older cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is very high at approximately 57% of the population (~1,587 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW. Asthma and arthritis are the most frequently reported medical conditions in the locality, affecting 9.1 and 7.5% of residents, respectively, whereas 69.7% of the population reported no chronic medical issues, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW.
The working-age cohort is characterized by good health and low rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 20.2% of the population (565 people), which is lower than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%. Health outcomes among older residents present some challenges, with national percentiles generally matching the trends of the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Estella is largely Australian-born, at 84.6% of residents, with 13.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (29.8%) and Australian (28.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Estella displays relatively low cultural diversity, with citizens making up 86.1% of the population, 84.6% of residents born in Australia, and 86.6% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, adhered to by 58.5% of residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three largest self-reported groups in Estella are English (29.8%), Australian (28.4%), and Irish (9.3%). Some distinct differences emerge when comparing with regional averages: Samoan ancestry is overrepresented at 0.4% (compared to 0.1% regionally), Scottish ancestry stands at 8.6% (compared to 8.0%), and Indian ancestry accounts for 2.5% of the population (compared to 0.6% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Estella is 34, younger than 82% of areas nationally. 28.0% 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
With a median age of 34, Estella is much younger than Regional NSW at 43 and the national average of 38. Compared to the Regional NSW profile, the suburb has a higher proportion of residents aged 85 and over (6.9% locally) and a lower proportion of people aged 65 to 74 (6.4%). Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age bracket has increased from 11.7% to 14.4% of the population, while the 25 to 34 bracket has fallen from 15.8% to 14.0% and the 75 to 84 bracket has decreased from 8.1% to 6.9%.
Demographic modeling suggests that the age structure in Estella will change considerably by 2041, with the 25 to 34 cohort projected to increase by 307 people (78%), growing from 391 to 699.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Estella
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 1 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 Jul 2025. | ||
| 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 — 11 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,541 at the 2021 Census → 2,799 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 (SAL11447). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.