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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 Grenfell is $408k, with units at $360k. House values have moved 3.4% 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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Grenfell has an estimated 2,543 residents, down from 2,600 at the 2021 Census — a change of 57 people, or 2.2%. 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Grenfell is estimated to have a population of approximately 2,543, based on AreaSearch assessments incorporating wider ABS updates and newly validated post-Census addresses. This total indicates a contraction of 57 people (2.2%) compared to the 2,600 people recorded in the 2021 Census. The updated figure builds on an ERP baseline of 2,541 residents identified from the ABS release in June 2025 alongside 38 validated new addresses added after the Census. Consequently, population density stands at 2.9 persons per square kilometer, underscoring a very spacious environment.
Across the prior ten years, the suburb of Grenfell exhibited steady demographic resilience with a compound annual growth rate of -0.1%, outperforming its broader SA3 area. Inward demographic movement has been overwhelmingly supported by overseas migration, representing roughly 86.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of Grenfell incorporate the 2024 ABS and Geoscience Australia release using 2022 as a base, supplemented where necessary by NSW State Government SA2 modeling issued in 2022 from a 2021 baseline. Cohort growth trajectories from these datasets extend across the 2032 to 2041 timeframe. Under this framework, overall resident numbers are anticipated to track downward, falling by 57 persons by 2041. Conversely, expansion is forecast within selected senior brackets, most notably the 85 and over age group, which is slated to expand by 60 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity in Grenfell remains very light, recording an average of 3 dwelling approvals annually and totalling 17 dwellings across a five-year timeframe. Subdued building volumes of this nature align with rural settings where construction is naturally constrained by localized demand, modest accommodation requirements, and existing infrastructure. Because approval counts are so small, individual projects have the potential to produce substantial shifts in annual growth metrics and comparative trends. Grenfell records residential building rates that sit markedly beneath both Rest of NSW benchmarks and wider national standards. Recent construction has centered exclusively on standalone houses, catering to purchasers seeking family accommodation in a spacious rural setting.
A ratio of 568 people per approved dwelling highlights the tranquil, low-volume development profile of the locality. Given that demographic projections point to steady or shrinking population levels, Grenfell may see diminished pressure on residential stock, fostering advantageous purchasing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Grenfell
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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 78 current infrastructure and development projects close to Grenfell, worth an estimated $13.5 billion. 25 are already under construction and 25 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and environmental & disaster management. 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
Public infrastructure investments and regional planning works play a vital role in local economic performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed a single project anticipated to influence the immediate region. Notable initiatives across the wider corridor include the Inland Rail - Stockinbingal to Parkes, Inland Rail - Illabo to Stockinbingal, the Olympic Highway Safety Improvements, and the NSW Heavy Vehicle Rest Stops Program (TfNSW), with key developments outlined 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
Olympic Highway Safety Improvements
A rolling program of safety upgrades along the Olympic Highway corridor. Key active segments include a $5 million upgrade 13km north of Young involving road widening, drainage replacement, and safety barriers, and a $26 million package for overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing near Cowra. The program aims to reduce run-off-road crashes and improve regional freight efficiency between the Hume Highway and Cowra.
Rockdale Road Upgrade, Young
Upgrade of Rockdale Road to enable B-Double access into the Young industrial area, extending to the emergency services facility (SES and RFS). Scope included road widening, intersection improvements and pavement strengthening.
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.
Thornhill Street Pavement Upgrades
The project involves reconstructing the pavement on Thornhill Street due to failures, deformation, and end of useful life. Works include in situ chemical stabilisation, trimming, sealing, asphalting, and stormwater upgrades. Stage 2 is underway south of Spring Street, with temporary road closures for safety.
Young Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade
Replacement of the existing sewage treatment plant with a modern 12,000 EP facility to enhance treatment processes and enable reuse of treated water for irrigation of public parks and fields, reducing reliance on potable water.
Young High School and New Joint Use Library and Community Facility Upgrade
The project delivered a new 2.5-storey joint use library and community facility integrated with Young High School and Carrington Park. Key features include new learning spaces, reading and study areas, technology facilities, children's activity area, youth wellbeing hub, arts floor with gallery, coffee bar, Wiradjuri learning centre, staff hub, canteen, student toilets, and landscaping.
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.
1,156 residents of Grenfell are employed, from a labour force of 1,201. Unemployment sits at 3.7%, with participation at 54.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,117, about 83% 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 in Grenfell displays a balanced mix of blue-collar and white-collar roles across multiple industries, maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.7% according to statistical aggregations by AreaSearch. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,156, with joblessness tracking 0.4% lower than the 4.1% recorded for Regional NSW, though labour market participation remains subdued at 54.0% compared to 60.6% regionally. Furthermore, 15.0% of working locals reported working from home during the Census, a figure that should be viewed alongside prevailing Covid-19 health restrictions. Local jobs are predominantly situated within agriculture, forestry & fishing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance.
The community exhibits a strong concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, capturing a workforce proportion 4.3 times the regional standard. In contrast, health care & social assistance remains under-represented locally, engaging 12.6% of Grenfell workers relative to 16.9% across Regional NSW. Comparing the count of locally based jobs against the resident workforce suggests that local employment openings remain somewhat constrained. SALM and ABS data compiled by AreaSearch for broader statistical regions shows that over the twelve months to March 2026, Grenfell experienced a 1.5% reduction in its labour pool alongside a 2.3% contraction in employed workers, elevating local unemployment by 0.8 percentage points. For comparison, Regional NSW recorded an employment dip of 0.9%, a workforce decline of 0.4%, and an unemployment rise of 0.5 percentage points. Broader national projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context on future labour demand across Grenfell. Based on industry-weighted models, national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Translating these sector trends to the local job structure indicates potential growth of 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, representing an illustrative weighting extrapolation that excludes localized demographic projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Grenfell is $991 a week (about $52,000 a year), with median personal income at $554 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $42,010 a year against an average of $50,335. 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 postcode ATO records from AreaSearch for financial year 2023, personal earnings in the suburb of Grenfell trail national benchmarks, registering a median of $42,010 and an average of $50,335. These amounts are noticeably below the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 places modeled March 2026 earnings at approximately $46,345 for the median and $55,530 for the average. In the 2021 Census, family, personal, and household earnings all fell between the 3rd and 7th percentiles across Australia.
The local income profile is heavily weighted toward the $400 - 799 weekly range, covering 29.7% of residents (755 people), whereas the surrounding region is led by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 29.9%. With 40.4% of residents earning under $800 weekly, localized financial constraints are evident. While households retain 89.2% of their income after modest housing outlays, overall disposable income sits at only the 6th percentile across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Grenfell had 1,122 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 4% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 22% rented and 53% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 20.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential housing stock in Grenfell at the most recent Census was dominated by separate houses at 92.1%, with apartments, townhouses, and other formats accounting for 7.9%, compared to 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% other formats in Regional NSW. Outright property ownership was elevated at 52.8%, well exceeding regional averages, while mortgaged residences stood at 25.3% and rental properties represented 21.9%. Housing outlays remain comparatively affordable: median monthly mortgage repayments were $1,083 and median weekly rents were $200, below Regional NSW levels of $1,733 and $330. Against national benchmarks, local mortgage commitments are far lower than the $1,863 Australian median, and local rents sit well under the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Grenfell counted 1,122 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 89% of areas nationally, against 32% couples without children. 36% 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
Family dwellings make up 61.2% of all households in the community, comprising couples without children (31.9%), couples with children (18.8%), and single parent arrangements (8.6%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 38.8%, primarily consisting of lone person households at 36.3% alongside group households at 2.4%. With a median size of 2.1 people, local households are smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.1% of adults in Grenfell hold a university qualification, including 9.7% with a bachelor degree and 1.6% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 78% of areas nationally. A further 30.5% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 424 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 974 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 highlight distinct areas for development, as university qualification rates stand at 13.1%, trailing the broader NSW benchmark of 32.2%. Higher education credentials include bachelor degrees at 9.7%, graduate diplomas at 1.8%, and postgraduate degrees at 1.6%. In contrast, vocational and trade training is widespread, with 39.4% of community members aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, comprising certificates (30.5%) and advanced diplomas (8.9%). Formal study engages 24.6% of local residents. This student body is distributed across secondary schooling (8.5%), primary schooling (8.2%), and higher education or university studies (2.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Grenfell reaches 184 stops on 17 routes, timetabled for about 150 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.4 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 connectivity in Grenfell is supported by 184 operational stops across bus and rail networks, served by 17 routes generating 146 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is strong, with typical walking distances to a stop sitting around 160 meters. Commuter movement is heavily vehicle-oriented, with 88% using private cars and 10% travelling on foot. Dwellings maintain an average of 1.4 vehicles, while 15.0% of workers operated from home during the 2021 Census under potential pandemic influences. Across all transit routes, scheduling averages 20 trips per day, meaning that individual stops see virtually no weekly services on average.
The nearest 100 transport stops relative to the centre of the area are displayed on the map.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
57.4% of residents in Grenfell report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 85% of areas nationally. 8.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.9% 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 based on chronic illness and mortality metrics highlight notable wellness considerations in Grenfell, with regular medical conditions observed across younger as well as older demographics. Private health insurance participation is low, encompassing roughly 47% of the population (~1,192 people), compared with 51.9% throughout Regional NSW and 55.7% across Australia. Arthritis and asthma represent the most widespread medical diagnoses in the locality, recorded among 13.2% and 9.0% of residents respectively, while 57.4% reported having no diagnosed chronic conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic conditions are elevated within the working-age demographic, while the senior population aged 65 and over comprises 34.9% of residents (887 people), noticeably above the 23.3% regional benchmark.
Chronic health management among older cohorts remains prominent, tracking above broader population rates nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Grenfell is largely Australian-born, at 93.6% of residents, with 1.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (36.0%) and Australian (34.4%). 3.2% 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
Grenfell exhibits a homogenous cultural profile, with Australian citizens making up 91.8% of residents, Australian-born individuals accounting for 93.6%, and English spoken exclusively at home by 98.2%. Religious affiliation is heavily centered on Christianity, which encompasses 70.4% of the population compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Looking at parental country of birth, the primary ancestries in Grenfell are English at 36.0% (surpassing the 30.5% regional standard), Australian at 34.4%, and Irish at 9.5%. Other represented backgrounds show distinct variations from regional averages, including Australian Aboriginal at 3.2% (vs 4.6% regionally), Scottish at 7.4% (vs 8.0%), and New Zealand at 0.5% (vs 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Grenfell is 54, older than 96% of areas nationally. 18.1% 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 demographic structure clearly establishes the suburb of Grenfell as a retirement and lifestyle destination. Updated modeling for August 2026 indicates that seniors and retirees aged 65+ make up 34.9% of the population, well above the 23.3% recorded in Regional NSW, whereas adults aged 25 - 44 represent 15.6% compared to 23.5% regionally. The median age is estimated at 54 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 11 years higher than the regional median of 43 and above the national Census median of 38. Retiree cohorts have increased from 33.4% at the Census to an estimated 34.9%, and are projected to lead future growth by 2041 with an addition of 32 residents (4%) reaching 920.
In contrast, populations of young adults, children, middle-aged residents, and younger retirees are projected to contract over that horizon.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Grenfell
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) | Aug 2026 this month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · Jun 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 Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,600 at the 2021 Census → 2,543 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 Aug 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 (SAL11782). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.