Gilgandra

Gilgandra has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of Feb 2026, Gilgandra's population is estimated at around 2,973, a decrease of 10 people from the 2021 Census figure of 2,983. This decrease reflects an inferred resident population of 2,951, based on AreaSearch validation of new addresses and examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024. The current density ratio is 4.6 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 53.0% of overall population gains recently. Population projections for Gilgandra are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia figures from 2024 with a 2022 base year, and NSW State Government SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, using a 2021 base year.

By 2041, the suburb's population is projected to decline by 296 persons, while specific age cohorts like the 75 to 84 group are expected to grow by 21 people.

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

Gilgandra has seen very limited development activity, averaging less than one approval per year over the past five years, with only one approval recorded during this period. This low level of development is typical in rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is constrained by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It should be noted that due to the small number of approvals, individual projects can significantly impact annual growth and relative statistics.

Gilgandra has substantially lower development levels compared to the Rest of NSW, with its development pattern also falling below national averages. With a projected stable or declining population, Gilgandra is expected to face reduced pressure on housing, potentially presenting opportunities for buyers in the future.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Gilgandra should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Gilgandra has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects that may impact the region. Key projects are Aero Park Residential Estate, Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan, Gilgandra Solar Farm, and Inland Rail - Narromine to Narrabri. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Gilgandra has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Gilgandra has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs well represented. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, there are 1,207 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 0.5% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Gilgandra lags at 52.4%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census responses, only 8.1% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and agriculture, forestry & fishing sectors. The area has a strong focus on agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share of 2.2 times the regional level.

Manufacturing employs just 2.1% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.8%. The count of Census working population vs resident population suggests limited local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 4.3% while employment declined by 4.4%, leaving unemployment broadly flat in Gilgandra. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.5%, labour force contract by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate that while overall employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth patterns differ significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Gilgandra's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

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

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Gilgandra had a median income among taxpayers of $42,308 and an average of $48,099. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of NSW having a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $46,056 (median) and $52,361 (average). According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Gilgandra fall between the 6th and 12th percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 29.8% of locals (885 people), within the $800 - 1,499 range, unlike regional trends where 29.9% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing costs are modest with 88.4% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 11th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Gilgandra, as per the latest Census, was 91.6% houses and 8.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gilgandra stood at 42.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.1% and rented ones at 31.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,062, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in Gilgandra was $200, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Gilgandra's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 65.5% of all households, including 19.0% couples with children, 28.9% couples without children, and 15.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.5%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate stands at 12.5%, 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 prevalent, with 9.9% of residents holding such qualifications, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Vocational credentials are prominent among residents aged 15 and above, with 39.2% holding these skills, including advanced diplomas (7.5%) and certificates (31.7%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 12.6% in primary, 9.0% in secondary, and 0.7% in tertiary education.

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

A transport analysis in Gilgandra shows 97 active transport stops operating. These include a mix of train and bus services. The area is served by 17 individual routes providing 130 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated as good with residents typically located 216 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuting is outward bound. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 87%, while 8% walk.

Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 8.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 18 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Gilgandra faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across various conditions that affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~1,368 people), compared to 51.9% in Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.0% of residents) and asthma (8.8%). Conversely, 59.3% of Gilgandra's population claims to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Rest of NSW. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (27.5%, or 817 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, with national rankings even worse than the general population.

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

Gilgandra's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.9% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (95.9%), and speaking English only at home (97.9%). Christianity is the dominant religion in Gilgandra (69.1%), compared to 55.9% across the Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (33.9%), English (30.0%), and Australian Aboriginal (13.1%), which is significantly higher than the regional average of 4.6%.

Notably, Maori representation in Gilgandra is overrepresented at 0.4% compared to the regional average of 0.3%, while Lebanese representation is similar at 0.2%. Irish ancestry is slightly underrepresented at 8.0% compared to the regional average of 8.8%.

Gilgandra hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Gilgandra's median age in 2021 was 47 years, significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and substantially exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile showed that those aged 55-64 years were particularly prominent, making up 14.3% of the population, while the 25-34 year-olds comprised only 8.7%. Between 2021 and the present, the 0-4 age group has grown from 5.1% to 6.3%, and the 65-74 age cohort increased from 13.0% to 14.1%. Conversely, the 25-34 year-olds have declined from 10.6% to 8.7%, and the 45-54 year-olds dropped from 12.4% to 11.0%. By 2041, Gilgandra is projected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 12 people, reaching 303 from 270. The aging population trend is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising all of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 25-34 age cohorts.