Gunnedah

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

By May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Gunnedah was around 10,781. This figure represents a growth of 422 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 10,359. AreaSearch validated this estimate by examining the latest ERP data release from the ABS (June 2025) and counting an additional 95 new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a resident population estimate of 10,767 people, yielding a density ratio of 20 persons per square kilometer. Gunnedah's growth rate of 4.1% since the last census exceeded that of its SA4 region (3.6%). Natural growth contributed approximately 55% to overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 are used, with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projected demographic shifts indicate an above median population growth for national regional areas. By 2041, the suburb of Gunnedah is projected to grow by 1,328 persons, reflecting a total increase of 12.2% over the 16-year period.

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

Gunnedah has seen approximately 42 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling around 212 homes. In FY-26 so far, there have been 22 approvals. The average population growth for each dwelling built in the area between FY-21 and FY-25 was 1.6 people per year. However, this has increased to 5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. New homes are being constructed at an average value of $576,000.

In terms of commercial development, $22.7 million in approvals have been recorded this financial year. Compared to Rest of NSW, Gunnedah has 14.0% less new development per person and ranks among the 28th percentile nationally, indicating limited buyer options but strong demand for established dwellings. Detached houses make up 74.0% of new developments, with attached dwellings accounting for the remaining 26.0%, preserving the area's low-density nature.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 576 people. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Gunnedah is projected to grow by 1,314 residents through to 2041. Construction pace is currently reasonable but buyers may face increasing competition as the population grows.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 14 projects potentially impacting the area. Key projects are 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.

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.

Employment conditions in Gunnedah demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Gunnedah's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate was 2.1% as of AreaSearch data aggregation in an unspecified period.

As of December 2025, 5,886 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 1.8%, below Regional NSW's 3.9%. Workforce participation was high at 71.3%. Census responses showed 8.5% worked from home. Employment is concentrated in mining (6.6 times the regional average), health care & social assistance (11.6%), and education & training.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work, suggesting local opportunities exist but may be limited. Between December 2024 and 2025, labour force decreased by 0.8% while employment declined by 1.1%, increasing unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. This compares to Regional NSW where employment fell by 1.2%, labour force contracted by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gunnedah's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 5.3% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

The suburb of Gunnedah has a median taxpayer income of $53,456 and an average income of $68,687, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is slightly above the national average, contrasting with Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $58,973 (median) and $75,775 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Gunnedah, between the 39th and 46th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 31.0% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (3,342 residents), reflecting patterns seen in the metropolitan region where 29.9% similarly occupy this range. 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 structure, as per the latest Census, was 88.1% houses and 12.0% other dwellings. This compares to Regional NSW's 88.1% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gunnedah stood at 33.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.7% and rented ones at 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Gunnedah was $300, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Gunnedah's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $300 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 account for 32.6%, with lone person households at 29.3% and group households comprising 3.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Regional 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 the NSW 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 prevalent, with 41.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificates (33.6%). Educational participation is high, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 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 routes, providing 775 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 217 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's residential nature. Cars remain the dominant transport mode at 91%, with an average of 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, only 8.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 110 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 2 weekly trips per individual stop. The map provided shows the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Gunnedah faces significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notably high across both younger and older age groups.

Approximately 54% of Gunnedah's total population (~5,831 people) have private health cover, slightly higher than the 51.9% average in Regional NSW. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (9.1%) and arthritis (9.0%), with 65.6% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents have a higher-than-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. As of 2021, 19.0% of Gunnedah's population is aged 65 and over (2,048 people), lower than the 23.4% average in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings.

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 population with low cultural diversity: 88.7% were Australian citizens, 93.8% were born in Australia, and 95.9% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 62.7%. This figure is higher than the Regional NSW average of 55.9%.

In terms of ancestry, Australians comprised 33.9%, followed by English (28.5%) and Australian Aboriginal (11.7%), which was significantly higher than the regional average of 4.6%. Some ethnic groups had notable differences: South Australian at 0.3% in Gunnedah versus 0.2% regionally, Irish at 8.0% compared to 8.8%, and Korean at 0.1%.

Gunnedah's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Gunnedah as of 2021 is 36 years, which is significantly lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's average of 38 years. The 5-14 age group comprises 15.1% of the population, higher than Regional NSW's percentage. Conversely, the 65-74 age cohort makes up 9.3% of Gunnedah's population. According to post-Census data, the 35-44 age group has increased from 11.7% to 12.9%, while the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 11.4% to 10.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic shifts in Gunnedah. Notably, the 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 31%, reaching 1,464 people from 1,121. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort is expected to decline by 51 people.