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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 Gulgong is $605k. House values have moved 8.0% 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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Sales Detail
Gulgong has an estimated 2,824 residents, up from 2,680 at the 2021 Census — a change of 144 people, or 5.4%. Growth has averaged 0.9% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 47.0% of that increase. Density is about 28 people per 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
Demographic tracking from the ABS for the wider territory, combined with address records verified by AreaSearch subsequent to the Census, indicates that the suburb of Gulgong has a population of approximately 2,824 in May 2026. This represents a rise of 144 individuals (5.4%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 2,680 people. This shift is calculated from a local population base of 2,786 estimated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 release of ERP data alongside 75 validated new addresses since the Census date. Gulgong's density is recorded at 27 persons per square kilometer, which represents a spacious living environment.
The local growth rate of 5.4% since the 2021 census paced ahead of both the broader SA3 area (1.8%) and the SA4 region, positioning Gulgong as a key driver of population growth locally. The expansion was largely propelled by arrivals from other states, which accounted for roughly 47.0% of the population gains, though international arrivals and natural increase also made positive contributions. Projections for the district utilize the 2024 ABS and Geoscience Australia releases based on a 2022 baseline, supplemented where necessary by 2022 NSW State Government projections using a 2021 baseline. Age-specific growth trajectories are mapped through to the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic models suggest Gulgong will experience expansion exceeding the median for regional Australia, with projections indicating a rise of 575 residents by 2041, which translates to a total gain of 19.0% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
33 new dwellings have been approved in Gulgong over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That places the area in the 54th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 2 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 10, running ahead of 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
Analysis of ABS building approvals indicates that Gulgong averages approximately 6 new residential approvals annually, amounting to 33 properties approved across the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with a further 10 approvals recorded during FY-26. Given that local population growth averaged 3.8 new residents for every home built over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, demand is running ahead of new construction, a trend that typically correlates with price appreciation and heightened buyer competition. Newly approved homes carry an average construction value of $687,000, pointing to a focus by builders on upscale, premium projects.
Additionally, commercial development has been quiet, with only $458,000 in approvals during the current financial year. Construction output per capita in Gulgong is roughly half the level seen across the Rest of NSW, though it places in the 58th percentile on a national scale following recent acceleration. The fact that building rates sit below the nationwide benchmark points to the established layout of the suburb and potential zoning constraints. Of the housing stock approved recently, standalone houses make up 88.0% and semi-detached or attached options account for 12.0%, preserving the traditional low-density residential feel suited to families. The average of 265 residents per building approval highlights Gulgong's low-density configuration. Long-term outlooks point to an increase of 537 residents in Gulgong by 2041 relative to the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Should current construction rates persist, the volume of new housing may fall short of demographic expansion, potentially intensifying pressure on buyers and driving property values higher.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Gulgong
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Gulgong, worth an estimated $18 million. A further 78 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $38.2 billion. 26 are already under construction and 33 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and health & medical. 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 planning decisions, public works, and major development proposals have a strong influence on real estate performance. AreaSearch has identified 5 key infrastructure projects positioned to influence the local area. The most significant developments include Improving Water Security for Mudgee and Gulgong, Proposed Subdivision 1 into 6 Lots at Flirtation Hill Lane, Millennium Estate, and the Bellambi Heights Battery Energy Storage System.
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
Improving Water Security for Mudgee and Gulgong
A $330,000 partnership between the NSW Government and Mid-Western Regional Council aimed at bolstering water security for Mudgee and Gulgong. This project focuses on early planning works, assessing water availability, usage, and the impact of population growth to inform future water infrastructure.
Proposed Subdivision 1 into 6 Lots, Flirtation Hill Lane
Proposed subdivision of 1 lot into 6 residential lots. The development application DA0258/2024 is currently under assessment by the Mid-Western Regional Council.
Millennium Estate
A residential land subdivision project. Development Application DA0333/2022 proposes the subdivision of 1 lot into 41 residential lots. Located in a sought-after area of Gulgong.
DA0242/2024 Proposed Caravan Park, 313 Magpie Lane, Galambine
Proposed Mudgee Gardens caravan park and lifestyle resort on a 75.4 hectare site, featuring 147 short-term sites and 240 long-term sites. The development includes amenities buildings, community centres, recreation areas, internal road networks, and infrastructure upgrades.
Bellambi Heights Battery Energy Storage System
The Bellambi Heights Battery Energy Storage System by Vena Energy features a 408-MW/816-MWh battery in Beryl, NSW, 85 km east of Dubbo, delivered in two stages in Central West Orana REZ.
Short Street Residential Development
Residential land subdivision at 68 Short Street, Mudgee delivering approximately 25 residential lots in stages. Civil works and lot releases have commenced, with individual residential lots being actively marketed and sold.
Mudgee High School Library Access Improvements
Infrastructure improvements to enhance accessibility and modernize library facilities at Mudgee High School. Includes new wheelchair access, technology upgrades, and learning spaces to support student educational outcomes.
Mudgee Arts Precinct
$8.1 million arts and cultural facility opened in November 2021, featuring purpose-built gallery spaces, exhibition areas, tourism office, workshop spaces, and cultural programs. Modern addition to heritage Cudgegong Chambers building serving 700,000 annual regional visitors.
1,395 residents of Gulgong are employed, from a labour force of 1,435. Unemployment sits at 2.8%, with participation at 64.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,165, about 77% 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 economy is supported by a mix of blue-collar and white-collar occupations, with notable representation in industrial and manufacturing sectors, and an unemployment rate of only 2.8% according to aggregated local data. As of March 2026, there are 1,395 employed residents in the suburb, with the unemployment rate sitting 1.3% below the Regional NSW average of 4.1%. Workforce participation is healthy, standing at 64.5% compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census data showed that a minor portion of the workforce, 7.2%, worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.
Most working residents are employed in retail trade, health care & social assistance, or mining. Mining displays a particularly high concentration, with employment density 8.1 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is underrepresented, employing 11.2% of the local workforce compared to 16.9% across Regional NSW. The relationship between the resident labor force and locally available jobs suggests that Gulgong has a shortage of local employment opportunities. Evaluation of SALM and ABS figures reveals that over the 12-month period, the local workforce contracted by 0.6% and total employment fell by 1.6%, leading to a 0.9 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. This compares to Regional NSW, where employment fell by 0.9%, the labor force shrank by 0.4%, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.5 percentage points. Future employment trends can be contextualized using Jobs and Skills Australia's national forecasts from May-25. These national projections, which look ahead five and ten years, have been applied to the local workforce structure. While national employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary by sector. Projecting these trends onto Gulgong's current employment profile suggests a potential local job growth of 5.2% over five years and 11.7% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Gulgong is $1,371 a week (about $71,000 a year), with median personal income at $650 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,646 a year against an average of $60,696. 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 tax data from the ATO compiled for the 2023 financial year, local earnings in Gulgong sit below the national average. Taxpayers in Gulgong recorded a median income of $46,646 and an average income of $60,696, compared to Regional NSW averages of $52,390 and $65,215. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $51,460 for the median and $66,960 for the average in March 2026. At the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual earnings in Gulgong fell between the 19th and 25th percentiles nationally.
The weekly income band of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 30.9% of the population (872 individuals), which mirrors the broader metropolitan average of 29.9%. Disposable income after housing costs stands at 85.7%, which ranks in the 28th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Gulgong had 1,012 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 2% apartments. 36% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,495 a month. Rent absorbs 21.9% 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 structures in Gulgong at the last Census consisted of 94.5% standalone houses and 5.5% other housing types, such as apartments and townhouses, showing a higher concentration of houses than Regional NSW, where the split was 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership matches Regional NSW at 39.7%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 35.7% and rented properties making up 24.5%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,495 is lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $300 is also below the regional figure of $330.
Nationally, Gulgong's housing costs are highly affordable compared to the Australian median mortgage payment of $1,863 and the median rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Gulgong counted 1,012 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,066 today, averaging 2.4 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 67.4%, which includes couples with children at 26.3%, couples without children at 27.5%, and single parents at 12.7%. Single-person households account for 30.2% and group houses represent 2.1% of the remaining 32.6% of non-family households. The median household size of 2.4 residents is identical to the average across Regional NSW.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.4% of adults in Gulgong hold a university qualification, including 8.1% with a bachelor degree and 1.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 89% of areas nationally. A further 37.1% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 655 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 918 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
Tertiary education rates in the suburb are low, with 10.4% of residents holding a university degree compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 8.1%, with postgraduate degrees at 1.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.0%. Conversely, vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 45.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.2% and certificate level qualifications at 37.1%. A significant proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 31.4% of residents enrolled in an educational institution.
This group comprises 13.1% in primary schools, 8.7% in secondary schools, and 1.6% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Gulgong reaches 79 stops on 23 routes, timetabled for about 130 services a week. The typical home sits about 240 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.6 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
The local transit network features 79 active transport stops, primarily offering bus services. These stops support 23 unique routes, which run a combined total of 130 passenger trips each week. Access is convenient, with residents living an average of 237 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily commuter-focused, with 92% of residents traveling by private car and 8% walking to work. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. A low 7.2% of the workforce worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been impacted by pandemic conditions.
Across all transit lines, service frequency averages 18 trips daily, representing approximately 1 weekly connection per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.3% of residents in Gulgong report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 80% of areas nationally. 6.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Local health profiles indicate notable vulnerabilities in Gulgong, particularly concerning mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across multiple age demographics, while private health insurance uptake is modest, covering about 51% of the population (~1,439 people). Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent chronic conditions, affecting 10.2% and 9.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 64.3% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, slightly above the Regional NSW average of 63.3%. Chronic disease rates among the working-age cohort are elevated. Residents aged 65 and over constitute 22.5% of the population (635 people), with senior health metrics generally aligning with broader national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Gulgong is largely Australian-born, at 92.7% of residents, with 2.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.1%) and Australian (33.3%). 5.7% 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
Gulgong displays low levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 90.1% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 92.7%, and English-only speakers at home representing 97.9%. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 60.4% of residents, which is higher than the Regional NSW average of 55.9%. In terms of parentage, the primary ancestries are English at 34.1%, Australian at 33.3%, and Irish at 8.7%. Certain backgrounds show notable differences compared to regional averages: Australian Aboriginal residents make up 5.7% of the local population (compared to 4.6% regionally), Maltese ancestry is at 1.0% (compared to 0.4%), and German ancestry is at 3.4% (compared to 3.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Gulgong is 41. 21.9% 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 in Gulgong is 41 years, which is slightly younger than the Regional NSW median of 43 years but older than the national average of 38 years. Children aged 5 - 14 are well-represented at 14.7%, whereas the 45 - 54 demographic is smaller at 10.3%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 9.3% to 11.5%, while the 45 to 54 cohort shrank from 11.6% to 10.3%, and the 55 to 64 group declined from 12.9% to 11.7%. Projections to 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts, with the 35 to 44 age group expected to grow by 21% (adding 80 people to reach 459), while the 55 to 64 cohort is projected to expand by only 9% (adding 30 people).
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Gulgong
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 5 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 — 75 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,680 at the 2021 Census → 2,824 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 (SAL11800). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.