Gunnedah

Population growth drivers in Gunnedah are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population for the Gunnedah statistical area (Lv2) is around 10,785. This figure reflects a 4.1% increase from the 2021 Census count of 10,359 people. The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, based on ERP data released by the ABS in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date, is 10,713. This results in a population density ratio of 20 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, ending in 2025, Gunnedah has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%, outperforming the SA4 region. Natural growth contributed approximately 55% to overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch projections for each SA2 area are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a 2021 base year are used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering these projections, the Gunnedah (SA2) area is expected to grow above median national regional levels, adding 1,412 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 12.6% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Gunnedah according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Gunnedah experienced around 42 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years from FY-18 to FY-22. This totals an estimated 213 homes. By FY-26, 19 approvals have been recorded so far. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 1.6 people moved to the area per dwelling built. However, this increased to 5.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential supply constraints.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $576,000, suggesting a focus on premium properties. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $22.7 million. Compared to Rest of NSW, Gunnedah has 13.0% less new development per person and ranks in the 30th percentile nationally, offering limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established dwellings.

Detached houses comprise 74.0% of new developments, with attached dwellings at 26.0%, maintaining low-density housing. The area has an estimated 562 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. By 2041, Gunnedah is projected to grow by 1,355 residents, with construction pace expected to maintain alongside population increase.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 projects likely impacting the area. Major projects include Eucalypt Lifestyle and Retail Precinct, Whitehaven Coal Mornington Estate Development, Cohens Bridge Rehabilitation, and Gunnedah Sports Precinct Master Plans. 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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Gunnedah ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Gunnedah has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 1.9% as of September 2025, lower than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 0.6%. Workforce participation is standard at 60.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors include mining, healthcare & social assistance, and education & training. Mining has a significant presence with an employment share 6.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 11.6% versus the regional average of 16.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 0.6%, labour force increased by 0.9%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and labour force decline by 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Gunnedah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 12.0% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Gunnedah is above the national average. The median income is $53,456 and the average income stands at $68,687. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures where the median income is $52,390 and the average income is $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $58,192 (median) and $74,773 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Gunnedah rank modestly, between the 39th and 46th percentiles. Looking at income distribution, the predominant cohort spans 31.0% of locals (3,343 people) with incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort likewise represents 29.9%. After housing costs, 86.1% of income remains for other expenses.

Gunnedah is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Gunnedah's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.1% houses and 12.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro NSW had 89.5% houses and 10.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gunnedah was at 33.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.7% and rented ones at 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,500. Median weekly rent in Gunnedah was $300, same as Non-Metro NSW's figure. Nationally, Gunnedah's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were lower at $300 compared to the national average of $375.

Gunnedah has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 67.4% of all households, including 28.2% couples with children, 25.7% couples without children, and 12.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.6%, with lone person households at 29.3% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.1%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are held by 41.8% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 8.2% and certificates at 33.6%. Educational participation is high, with 32.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 13.6% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.6% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Gunnedah has 275 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are covered by 38 different routes that together facilitate 775 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility is rated good with residents on average being 217 meters from the nearest stop.

Daily service frequency averages 110 trips across all routes, translating to roughly 2 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Gunnedah is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Gunnedah faces significant health challenges with notable prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is approximately 54% (around 5,833 people), compared to 49.8% across Rest of NSW.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, impacting 9.1% and 9.0% of residents respectively. Around 65.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Rest of NSW. As of the latest data (2018), 18.7% of residents are aged 65 and over (around 2,016 people), which is lower than the 19.9% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Gunnedah, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data from June 2016, had a population with 88.7% being Australian citizens, 93.8% born in Australia, and 95.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 62.7% of Gunnedah's population, compared to 63.6% across the Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.9%), English (28.5%), and Australian Aboriginal (11.7%).

Notably, South African ancestry was slightly higher in Gunnedah at 0.3%, compared to 0.2% regionally, while Irish ancestry was equal at 8.0%. Korean ancestry was also present but unchanged from the regional average at 0.1%.

Gunnedah's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Gunnedah is 36 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age group of 5-14 years shows strong representation at 15.3% compared to Rest of NSW, while the 65-74 cohort is less prevalent at 9.2%. According to data from the post-2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 11.7% to 13.0% of Gunnedah's population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 11.4% to 10.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Gunnedah. Leading this shift, the 45 to 54 age group is projected to grow by 33%, reaching 1,421 people from 1,067. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort is forecasted to decline by 57 people.