Molong

An assessment of population growth drivers in Molong reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Molong is around 2,554, a decrease of 41 people from the 2021 Census figure of 2,595. This decrease was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,494 in June 2025, using the latest ERP data release by the ABS and validated new addresses since the Census date. The current population density is approximately 6.1 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed about 66.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. Population projections for Molong are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year for covered areas, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a 2021 base year for uncovered areas.

Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, Molong is expected to have an above median population growth, increasing by 332 persons to reach a total of 2,886 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 10.7% over the 16-year period.

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

Molong has received around 12 dwelling approvals per year on average over the past five financial years, totalling approximately 64 homes. In FY-26 so far, 9 approvals have been recorded. The average annual increase in residents per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 is 0. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $494,000.

This financial year has seen $1.9 million in commercial approvals registered. Compared to the rest of NSW, Molong shows moderately higher development activity, with 10.0% more approvals per person over the past five years. Recent construction comprises 87.0% detached houses and 13.0% attached dwellings.

The location has approximately 326 people per dwelling approval. Future projections estimate Molong adding 272 residents by 2041, with current development patterns indicating that new housing supply should readily meet demand.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting this region: Kerrs Creek Wind Farm, Aquila Wind Farm, Corridor Preservation For East Coast High Speed Rail, and Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Transmission Project are key projects, with the following details focusing on 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.

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

Molong has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 1.1%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, there are 1,366 residents in work, while the unemployment rate is 2.9% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation stands at 67.8%, exceeding Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, only 13.0% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and construction. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a particularly high employment share at 2.5 times the regional level, while accommodation & food services have limited presence with 4.7% employment compared to 7.8% regionally.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Molong's labour force decreased by 3.6%, while employment declined by 4.1%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment contract by 1.2%, the labour force fall by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Molong's employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against the local employment mix.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Molong suburb's income level is below national average based on latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended June 2023. Molong's median income among taxpayers was $45,316 with an average of $56,451, compared to Regional NSW's figures of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. With a Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates for Molong are approximately $49,993 (median) and $62,277 (average) as of March 2026. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data from 2021, incomes in Molong rank modestly with household income at the 28th percentile, family income at the 26th percentile, and personal income at the 34th percentile. Income distribution shows that the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 30.5% of residents (778 people), similar to the broader area where 29.9% occupy this bracket. After housing costs, 86.1% of income remains, ranking at the 29th percentile nationally. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fourth decile.

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

Molong's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.4% houses and 15.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Molong stood at 42.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.0% and rented ones at 21.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,600, lower than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Molong was $270, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Molong's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,600 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 69.8% of all households, including 29.8% couples with children, 29.2% couples without children, and 10.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 30.2%, with lone person households at 28.6% and group households making up 1.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Molong fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 18.3%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (13.6%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (31.5%). Educational participation is high, with 31.3% currently enrolled in formal education: 13.0% in primary, 9.7% in secondary, and 2.8% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.0% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Molong has 75 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 12 different routes that together provide 167 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically living 255 meters from the nearest stop. Most Molong residents commute outwards, primarily by car (91%). Seven percent walk to their destinations. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling in Molong.

According to the 2021 Census, only 13% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 23 trips per day, resulting in approximately 2 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Molong faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were found to be high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover was relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (~1,259 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were arthritis (9.3%) and asthma (8.5%), while 66.1% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents had an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. As of 2021, the area had 25.2% of residents aged 65 and over (643 people), higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors were above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

Molong's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 91.6% of its population being citizens, 94.9% born in Australia, and 98.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Molong, comprising 69.4%, compared to Regional NSW's 55.9%. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (35.7%), English (31.4%), and Irish (9.6%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 4.8% (vs regional 4.6%), Maltese at 0.6% (vs 0.4%), and Welsh at 0.6% (vs 0.5%).

Molong hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Molong has a median age of 43, which matches Regional NSW and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age distribution reveals that those aged 5-14 are notably prominent at 14.4%, while individuals aged 25-34 constitute a smaller proportion at 8.6% compared to Regional NSW. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 7.8% to 10.2% of Molong's population. Conversely, the 35-44 age cohort has decreased from 11.0% to 10.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Molong's age structure. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 86 people (from 89 to 166), leading the demographic shift. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will contribute to 54% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort is projected to decrease by 10 people.