Muswellbrook

Muswellbrook is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Muswellbrook is around 12,625. This figure reflects a growth of 353 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 12,272. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 12,611 based on their examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 194 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 46 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 65.0% to the overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb of Muswellbrook is expected to increase by 597 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 4.6% over the 17-year period.

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

Muswellbrook has seen approximately 30 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 154 homes from FY-21 to FY-25. As of FY-26, 38 approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per dwelling built in Muswellbrook is 0.8 people per year over these five years.

This indicates that supply meets or exceeds demand, offering greater buyer choice and potential for population growth beyond projections. The average expected construction cost value of new properties is $472,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $22.2 million, indicating moderate levels of commercial development in Muswellbrook. Building activity shows 94.0% detached houses and 6.0% medium to high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 376 people, reflecting its quiet, low-activity development environment. Muswellbrook is expected to grow by 583 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Muswellbrook has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects likely influencing the region. Notable initiatives include Eastbrook Links Estate, Muswellbrook Solar Farm, Muswellbrook Clean Industries Precinct (MCIP), and Muswellbrook Marketplace Redevelopment, with the following list detailing projects of particular relevance.

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 drivers in Muswellbrook are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Muswellbrook has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, an unemployment rate of 7.3%, and estimated employment growth of 0.5% over the past year (AreaSearch data). As of December 2025, there are 5,512 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 3.3%, higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is similar to Regional NSW at 61.3%.

Only 9.1% of residents work from home (Census data). Dominant employment sectors are mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Mining has particular specialization with an employment share 9.2 times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 10.4%.

The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates ample local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.5%, labour force decreased by 0.8%, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.3 percentage points (AreaSearch analysis). In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment contract by 1.2% with a slight increase in unemployment of 0.4%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Muswellbrook's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.2% over five years and 11.8% 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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year ended June 30th 2023 shows that income in Muswellbrook is higher than average nationally. The median income was $54,689 and the average income stood at $70,561. This contrasts with Regional NSW's figures of a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% between July 2023 and September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $59,534 for median income and $76,813 for average income as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Muswellbrook, between the 40th and 41st percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 32.6% of the community (4,115 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band, aligning with regional levels where this cohort likewise represents 29.9%. After housing costs, 85.1% of income remains for other expenses.

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

Muswellbrook's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 87.6% houses and 12.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Muswellbrook stood at 27.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.9% and rented ones at 39.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Muswellbrook was $310, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Muswellbrook's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,517 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 67.5% of all households, including 27.7% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 14.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.5%, with lone person households at 29.6% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.0%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (36.5%). Educational participation is high, with 32.6% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 13.2% in primary, 9.0% in secondary, and 2.2% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.2% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis indicates 377 active transport stops operating within Muswellbrook, consisting of a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 46 individual routes, collectively facilitating 1,454 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 116 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, with car being the dominant mode at 95%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 9.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 207 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Health performance in Muswellbrook is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Muswellbrook faces significant health challenges, as identified by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is relatively high, at approximately 55% (around 6,921 people), compared to Regional NSW's 51.9%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 10.3% and 10.3% of residents respectively. However, 64.0% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly higher than the 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Muswellbrook has 15.4% (1,944 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, with national rankings higher than the general population.

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

Muswellbrook, as per the census conducted in June 2016, had a cultural diversity index below the national average. The population was predominantly Australian-born citizens with English as their primary language: 88.3% were citizens, 90.5% were born in Australia, and 94.7% spoke only English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 58.0% of the population, slightly higher than the Regional NSW average of 55.9%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.0%), English (29.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (9.2%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences in representation compared to regional averages: Maori at 0.5% (regional: 0.3%), Macedonian at 0.1% (regional: 0.4%), and Samoan at 0.1% (regional: 0.1%).

Muswellbrook's population is younger than the national pattern

Muswellbrook's median age is 35 years, which is significantly below Regional NSW's average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's median of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Muswellbrook at 15.5%, compared to the Regional NSW average. Conversely, the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 8.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 4.2% to 5.3% of the population. However, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 15.3% to 14.0%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 12.4% to 11.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that Muswellbrook's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to grow by 57%, adding 378 residents to reach 1,048. This growth is part of an overall demographic aging trend, with residents aged 65 and older representing 58% of the anticipated growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65 to 74 and 5 to 14 cohorts.