Gundagai

Gundagai is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Gundagai is around 1,741, reflecting a 2.5% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 1,699 people. This increase is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 1,656 in Jun 2024 and five validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 36 persons per square kilometer. Gundagai's growth rate since the census is within 1.7 percentage points of the SA3 area's 4.2%, indicating competitive fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 53% to overall population gains recently. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, with a base year of 2021.

By 2041, the suburb's population is projected to decline by 110 persons, but the 75-84 age group is expected to increase by 34 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Gundagai, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Gundagai saw minimal construction activity from 2017 to 2021 with an average of three new dwellings approved annually. This totals fifteen across the five-year period. The low development levels reflect Gundagai's rural nature, where housing needs typically drive development rather than broad market demand.

Note that the small sample size means individual projects can significantly influence annual growth and relativity statistics. Gundagai has substantially lower development levels compared to Rest of NSW and national averages. All new constructions during this period were standalone homes, maintaining Gundagai's rural character with emphasis on space. The estimated population per dwelling approval was 1156 people.

With stable or declining population projections, housing demand pressures in Gundagai are expected to remain low, benefiting potential buyers.

Gundagai has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Ten projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to impact the area, with key projects including Sheridan Street Upgrade, Public Toilet Facility in Gundagai's Main Street, Gundagai Netball Courts Upgrades, and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Single Local Environmental Plan Development. 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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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.4%, Gundagai has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Gundagai has a balanced workforce across white and blue collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently featured. The unemployment rate is 3.4%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025760 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.5% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is slightly below standard at 56.6%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. Census responses show that only 7.2% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment in Gundagai is concentrated in manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food services. The area has a particularly strong specialization in manufacturing, with an employment share three times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance has limited presence at 13.9%, compared to 16.9% regionally. Over the year ending December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.0% and employment declined by 3.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.1 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional NSW where employment contracted by 1.2%, the labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Gundagai's employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against the local employment profile.

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

The suburb of Gundagai's income level is lower than average on a national basis according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended 30 June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Gundagai is $43,396 and the average income stands at $56,425, compared to figures for Regional NSW of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% between financial years 2023 and 2025, current estimates would be approximately $47,241 (median) and $61,424 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Gundagai all fall between the 15th and 23rd percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 29.4% of the population (511 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 29.9% similarly occupy this range. While housing costs are modest with 89.0% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 20th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Gundagai, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 87.9% houses and 12.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gundagai stood at 47.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.9% and rented dwellings at 24.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,211, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Gundagai was $230, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Gundagai's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 62.1% of all households, including 23.9% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.9%, with lone person households at 33.6% and group households comprising 3.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.2%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (27.3%). Educational participation is high, with 27.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 11.0% in primary, 8.1% in secondary, and 1.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.0% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Gundagai has 64 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 19 different routes that collectively provide 173 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 157 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Gundagai being a primarily residential area. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 93%, while 6% walk. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, only 7.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 24 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 2 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Gundagai is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Gundagai faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and prevalence of chronic conditions are somewhat prevalent across younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 49% of Gundagai's total population (~858 people) has private health cover, compared to Regional NSW's 51.9%.

Nationally, the average is 55.7%. Arthritis affects 10.5% of residents, while asthma impacts 8.1%. 64.5% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 28.1% of residents aged 65 and over (489 people), higher than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Gundagai had cultural diversity below average, with 84.9% citizens, 89.8% born in Australia, and 91.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 75.4%, compared to 55.9% regionally. Top ancestry groups were Australian (34.4%), English (34.4%), and Irish (10.2%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal were overrepresented at 3.0% (vs regional 4.6%), Chinese at 2.9% (vs regional 0.8%), and Maori at 0.4% (vs regional 0.3%).

Gundagai hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Gundagai's median age is 45 years, which is slightly higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 years and considerably older than the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Regional NSW average, Gundagai has a notably higher percentage of people aged 85 and above (4.7% locally), while those aged 15-24 are under-represented (10.0%). Between 2021 and present, the population aged 65 to 74 has increased from 12.7% to 14.0%, and the 75 to 84 age group has risen from 8.2% to 9.4%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age cohort has decreased from 13.8% to 12.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Gundagai's age profile will change significantly. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to expand by 13 people (an increase of 8%) from 163 to 177. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for all total population growth, reflecting Gundagai's aging demographic profile. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 45 to 54 and 25 to 34 age cohorts.