Mount Ousley

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population for the Mount Ousley statistical area (Lv2) is around 1,627 people. This figure represents a 16-person increase from the 2021 Census count of 1,611 individuals, indicating a growth rate of approximately 1.0%. The latest estimate by AreaSearch, based on examination of the ABS's June 2024 ERP data release and validation of new addresses, is 1,622 residents. This results in a population density ratio of 2,033 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the average observed across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch employs ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022, which use 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the Mount Ousley (SA2) is expected to experience above median population growth compared to Australia's regional areas. By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 311 persons, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 21.4% over the 17-year period.

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

Mount Ousley had 8 dwelling approvals over the five years from 2015 to 2019. This minimal residential development activity reflects its rural nature, with housing needs driving development rather than broader market demand. Yearly growth figures and relativities can vary significantly due to low approval numbers.

Mount Ousley's development activity is lower compared to Rest of NSW and national patterns. Recent construction comprises 50% detached houses and 50% townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the current housing mix of 94% houses. This change addresses reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands. Mount Ousley has around 1104 people per approval, indicating an established area. Population forecasts suggest it will gain 349 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Population forecasts indicate Mount Ousley will gain 349 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Mount Ousley has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

AreaSearch has identified four projects that could impact the area significantly due to their potential influence on local infrastructure. These key projects are: Mount Ousley Interchange, 68-74 Princes Highway Mixed-Use Development, Balgownie Mountain Bike Trail Infrastructure, and University of Wollongong Campus Master Plan. The following details those likely to be most relevant.

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Mount Ousley recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Mount Ousley has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 4.7% as of September 2025.

This rate is 0.9% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Mount Ousley is high at 62.2%, compared to the Rest of NSW average of 56.4%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Notably, education & training has a concentration 1.6 times the regional average.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 0.0% of Mount Ousley's workforce compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%. The area appears to have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 0.1%, while labour force remained stable at 0.0%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw a 0.5% decrease in employment, a 0.1% contraction in labour force, and an increase in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Ousley's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Mount Ousley suburb's income level is extremely high nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Median income among taxpayers is $60,305, average income stands at $81,053. These figures compare to Rest of NSW's median and average incomes of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Mount Ousley would be approximately $65,648 (median) and $88,234 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household incomes rank at the 83rd percentile ($2,293 weekly), personal income ranks at the 55th percentile. Income analysis reveals that 29.1% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (473 individuals). Higher earners represent a substantial presence with 36.0% exceeding $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 87.6% of income. Area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Mount Ousley's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 94.4% houses and 5.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 58.9% houses and 41.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Ousley was at 48.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.9% and rented ones at 15.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,450, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,189. The median weekly rent figure in Mount Ousley was $500, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $400. Nationally, Mount Ousley's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,450 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Mount Ousley features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 77.6% of all households, including 37.2% couples with children, 29.2% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 22.4%, with lone person households at 18.1% and group households comprising 3.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Mount Ousley shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Mount Ousley's residents aged 15 and above have a higher proportion of university qualifications compared to broader areas: 35.4% versus 21.3% in Rest of NSW and 25.2% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.1%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.5% of residents holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (21.4%). Educational participation is notably high in Mount Ousley, with 30.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 8.8% in primary, 8.5% in tertiary, and 7.5% pursuing secondary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.8% in primary education, 8.5% in tertiary education, and 7.5% pursuing secondary education.

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

Mount Ousley has seven active public transport stops operating, all offering bus services. These stops are served by nine different routes that combined offer 74 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent access to these stops, with an average distance of 172 meters to the nearest one.

The service frequency is high, with ten trips per day on average across all routes, equating to about ten weekly trips per individual stop.

Mount Ousley's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Mount Ousley residents have shown relatively positive health outcomes, with low prevalence rates for common health conditions across both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% (958 people), compared to 56.8% across the rest of NSW.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.8 and 6.9% of residents respectively. A total of 69.3% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.6% across the rest of NSW. The area has 17.9% (291 people) of residents aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Mount Ousley records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Ousley, surveyed in June 2016, showed cultural diversity with 18.6% of its population born overseas and 14.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 53.5%, compared to 51.0% across Rest of NSW. Ancestry-wise, Australian (25.2%), English (24.7%), and Other (8.3%) were the top groups.

Spanish (0.9% vs regional 0.5%), French (0.8% vs 0.5%), and Italian (6.0% vs 4.5%) ethnicities were notably overrepresented in Mount Ousley compared to the regional averages.

Mount Ousley's median age exceeds the national pattern

Mount Ousley's median age is 41 years, which is lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 but exceeds the national average of 38. The 15-24 age group comprises 16.4% of Mount Ousley's population compared to the Rest of NSW figure, while the 65-74 cohort makes up 8.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows the median age has decreased by 1 year to 41 due to a shift in younger residents. Notably, the 15-24 age group grew from 13.7% to 16.4%, and the 25-34 cohort increased from 10.0% to 12.1%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 13.6% to 12.1%, and the 45-54 group decreased from 13.4% to 12.0%. Population forecasts for Mount Ousley in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the 25-34 cohort projected to grow by 50%, adding 99 residents to reach 296. Conversely, the 55-64 group is expected to contract by 21 residents.