Gunnedah

Population growth drivers in Gunnedah are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

The estimated population of Gunnedah as of November 2025 is around 10,794 people. This figure reflects an increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,359 people in the suburb. The latest ABS ERP data release from June 2024 estimates the resident population at 10,721 people for Gunnedah and its surrounding areas. This estimate includes an additional 92 validated new addresses since the Census date. The current population density is approximately 20 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, ending in June 2024, Gunnedah has shown a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%, outperforming its SA4 region.

Natural growth contributed about 55% to overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is using 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 released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by the first data set. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 1,413 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 12.5% 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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Gunnedah has experienced around 42 dwellings receiving development approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 214 homes. So far in FY-26, seven approvals have been recorded. With an average of 1.6 people moving to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, supply and demand appear well-balanced, creating stable market conditions. However, recent data reveals this has increased to 5.2 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting the area's growing popularity and potential supply constraints.

New homes are being built at an average value of $567,000. Additionally, $22.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Relative to Rest of NSW, Gunnedah has 13.0% less new development per person while it places among the 30th percentile of areas assessed nationally, meaning somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings.

New development consists of 74.0% detached houses and 26.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 548 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Gunnedah is expected to grow by 1,347 residents through to 2041 according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

Gunnedah has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified 14 projects potentially affecting the area. Notable projects include Whitehaven Coal's Mornington Estate Development, Eucalypt Lifestyle and Retail Precinct, Cohens Bridge Rehabilitation, and Gunnedah Sports Precinct Master Plans. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Gunnedah performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Gunnedah has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, notably in manufacturing and industrial sectors. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 1.6%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.1% over the past year.

The area's residents have a workforce participation rate of 60.0%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Mining, healthcare & social assistance, and education & training are the dominant employment sectors in Gunnedah, with mining being particularly specialized at 6.6 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance is lower at 11.6% compared to the regional average of 16.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

In the past year, employment increased by 4.1%, labour force grew by 3.6%, and unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW had an employment decline of 0.1% and a rise in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. According to Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22, total employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. 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, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Gunnedah's median income is $53,456 and the average income stands at $68,685. This differs from Rest of NSW's figures where the median income is $49,459 and the average income is $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Gunnedah would be approximately $60,197 (median) and $77,346 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Gunnedah rank modestly, between the 39th and 46th percentiles. The predominant income cohort spans 31.0% of locals, with 3,346 people earning between $1,500 - 2,999, aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort represents 29.9%. After housing expenses, 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

In Gunnedah, as per the latest Census evaluation, 88.1% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 12.0% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW where 89.5% were houses and 10.4% were other dwellings. Home ownership in Gunnedah was at 33.2%, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average. Dwellings were either mortgaged (34.7%) or rented (32.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Gunnedah was $1,517, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,500 but lower than the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Gunnedah was $300, matching Non-Metro NSW and significantly lower than 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 most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 8.2% and certificates at 33.6%. Educational participation is high, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 13.6% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.

Seven schools operate in Gunnedah, educating approximately 2,204 students; the area's ICSEA score is 908. The educational mix includes three primary, two secondary, and two K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs (20.4 places per 100 residents vs 16.4 regionally), suggesting the area serves as an educational center for surrounding regions.

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

Gunnedah has 264 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 38 different routes, collectively facilitating 803 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents typically residing just 217 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 114 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately three 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. Approximately 54% (~5,838 people) have private health cover, compared to 50.0% across Rest of NSW.

The most common medical conditions are asthma (9.1%) and arthritis (9.0%). 65.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Rest of NSW. As of 2016, 18.7% (~2,018 people) are aged 65 and over, 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 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index below the national average. It was reported that 88.7% of its population were Australian citizens, with 93.8% born in Australia and 95.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was found to be the predominant religion, with 62.7% of people identifying as such, compared to 63.6% across Rest of NSW.

Regarding ancestry, Australians made up 33.9%, English 28.5%, and Australian Aboriginal 11.7%. Notable differences were observed in South African (0.3% vs regional 0.2%), Irish (8.0% vs 8.0%) and Korean (0.1% vs 0.1%) representation.

Gunnedah's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Gunnedah as of 2021 was 36 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's average of 38 years. The 5-14 age group constituted 15.3% of the population compared to Rest of NSW, while the 65-74 cohort made up 9.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35 to 44 age group grew from 11.7% to 13.0%, and conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 11.4% to 10.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Gunnedah. The 45 to 54 group is projected to grow by 33%, reaching 1,422 people from the current 1,068. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort is expected to decline by 58 people.