Mudgee

Population growth drivers in Mudgee are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated since the Census, Mudgee's population is estimated at around 11,543 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 86 people (0.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,457 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 11,379 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 121 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 435 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Mudgee has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 59.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 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 Mudgee statistical area (Lv2) is expected to expand by 2,124 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 19.6% in total over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Mudgee when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis reveals that Mudgee has averaged around 51 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling approximately 258 homes. As of FY-26, 11 approvals have been recorded. This indicates a balance between supply and demand, with an average of 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost value for new homes is $418,000, slightly above the regional average.

Commercial development approvals in Mudgee have reached $3.6 million this financial year, reflecting its primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Mudgee shows comparable construction activity per person, supporting market stability. Recent construction comprises 73% detached dwellings and 27% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's low density character with a focus on family homes.

The location has approximately 152 people per dwelling approval. AreaSearch estimates project Mudgee to grow by 2,257 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely impacting the region. Notable projects include Kandos to Gulgong Rail Line Reinstatement, Logan Estate, Short Street Residential Development, and Mudgee Spring Lifestyle Estate. 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.

The employment environment in Mudgee shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Mudgee has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.6% as of September 2025, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

In this month, 6,138 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.2% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Mudgee was high at 62.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Mining has a particularly strong presence with an employment share 7.4 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 12.2% compared to Rest of NSW's 16.9%. Local employment opportunities may be limited as indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.3% and employment declined by 4.2%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.8 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.5%, labour force contracted by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs) with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. National unemployment was higher at 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Mudgee. These projections estimate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mudgee's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Mudgee's median income among taxpayers is $49,407, with an average of $65,356. This is below the national average. Rest of NSW has a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Mudgee would be approximately $53,784 (median) and $71,147 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Mudgee rank modestly, between the 43rd and 46th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income analysis reveals 33.4% of Mudgee's population (3,855 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, consistent with surrounding regions at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Mudgee, with only 84.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 47th percentile.

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

In Mudgee, as per the latest Census evaluation, 84.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 15.3% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mudgee stood at 30.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.6% and rented ones at 36.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, exceeding Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,600. Median weekly rent in Mudgee was $360, higher than Non-Metro NSW's figure of $300. Nationally, Mudgee's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 67.7% of all households, including 27.8% couples with children, 26.9% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 28.8% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 17.9%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.0%) and certificates (33.7%). Educational participation is high, with 28.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.3% in primary, 7.3% in secondary, and 2.4% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Mudgee has 177 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are covered by 39 routes that provide a total of 410 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 138 meters.

Service frequency averages 58 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Mudgee faces significant health challenges.

Common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is approximately 53%, totaling around 6,093 people. Mental health issues impact 9.1% of residents, while asthma affects 8.9%. About 66.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.9% across Rest of NSW. The area has 18.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,158 people), lower than the 23.1% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Mudgee is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Mudgee, surveyed in 2016, had a population with 90.3% being Australian citizens, 91.1% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 56.9%, compared to 59.9% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.2%), English (32.0%), and Irish (9.3%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation in Mudgee was higher at 5.3% compared to the regional average of 4.9%. Maltese and Samoan groups had similar representations: 0.5% each in both Mudgee and the region.

Mudgee's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Mudgee 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 25-34 age group comprises 14.7% of the population in Mudgee, compared to a higher prevalence in Rest of NSW. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort makes up 9.0% of the population in Mudgee, which is less than the percentage in Rest of NSW. According to data from the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 12.4% to 14.2% of the population in Mudgee. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 11.4% to 9.6%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Mudgee. The 35 to 44 age group is projected to grow by 31%, adding 504 people and reaching a total of 2,144 from its current figure of 1,639. In contrast, the 65 to 74 cohort is expected to show minimal growth of just 4%, with an increase of 46 people.