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 Muswellbrook is around 12,625, reflecting a 353 person increase (2.9%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 12,272. This change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 12,611 based on latest ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and additional 194 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is approximately 46 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed around 65.0% of overall population gains recently. 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 released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb is projected to increase by 596 persons, reflecting a total 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, totalling an estimated 154 homes. As of FY-26, 38 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.8 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. This indicates that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average construction cost of new properties was $472,000 during this period, demonstrating a focus on premium segment development. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $22.2 million, indicating moderate levels of commercial development in the area.

Building activity showed 94.0% detached houses and 6.0% medium to high-density housing, maintaining Muswellbrook's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. The estimated population count per dwelling approval was 376 people, reflecting the area's quiet, low activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Muswellbrook is expected to grow by 582 residents through to 2041. 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 to affect the area. Notable ones include Eastbrook Links Estate, Muswellbrook Solar Farm, Muswellbrook Clean Industries Precinct (MCIP), and Muswellbrook Marketplace Redevelopment. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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

Muswellbrook's workforce comprises a mix of white and blue collar jobs, with prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 7.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 3.8%. Workforce participation in Muswellbrook is similar to Rest of NSW at 61.5%.

According to Census data, only 9.1% of residents work from home, though COVID-19 lockdown impacts may have influenced this figure. Dominant employment sectors include mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Mining is particularly specialized in Muswellbrook, with an employment share nine times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 10.4% compared to the regional average of 16.9%.

The ratio of workers to residents in Muswellbrook is 0.7, indicating a higher-than-average level of local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.9%, and employment fell by 1.5% in Muswellbrook, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate by 1.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.5%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth at 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 these projections do not account for localized population changes.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 30, 2023 shows that median income in Muswellbrook suburb is $54,689 and average income stands at $70,561. This compares to Rest of 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% from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, current estimates for Muswellbrook would be approximately $59,534 (median) and $76,813 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Muswellbrook rank modestly, between the 40th and 41st percentiles nationally. Income brackets show that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 32.6% of the community (4,115 individuals), similar to regional levels where this cohort 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 dwellings, according to the latest Census, were 87.6% houses and 12.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Muswellbrook was 27.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.9% and rented ones at 39.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Muswellbrook was $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Muswellbrook's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,517 versus Australia's 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 account for 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 Rest of 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 at 32.6%, with 13.2% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing 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

Transport analysis indicates 377 active public transport stops in Muswellbrook, consisting of both 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. The area is primarily residential, with most residents commuting outward; car remains the dominant transport 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 individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's 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 assessed by AreaSearch, with mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence impacting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 55% (~6,921 people) have private health cover, compared to 51.9% in Rest of NSW.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (10.3%) and mental health issues (10.3%), with 64.0% reporting no medical ailments, slightly higher than the 63.3% in Rest of NSW. Working-age residents have notably high chronic condition rates. As of 2021, 15.4% (~1,944 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than the 23.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors rank higher than the general population nationally.

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

Muswellbrook has a cultural diversity index below the average, with 88.3% of its population being Australian citizens, 90.5% born in Australia, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Muswellbrook, accounting for 58.0% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (34.0%), English (29.4%), and Australian Aboriginal (9.2%).

Notable differences exist in the representation of Maori (0.5% vs regional 0.3%), Macedonian (0.1% vs 0.4%), and Samoan (0.1% vs 0.1%) groups.

Muswellbrook's population is younger than the national pattern

Muswellbrook's median age is 35 years, which is significantly below the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and somewhat younger than the Australian median of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Muswellbrook at 15.4%, compared to the Rest of NSW average. Conversely, the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 8.5%. Following the Census conducted on 2021 August 3, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 4.2% to 5.3% of the population. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 15.3% to 13.9%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 12.4% to 11.1%. Demographic modeling suggests that Muswellbrook's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041 August 3. The 75 to 84 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 56%, adding 372 residents to reach 1,042. This demographic aging continues as residents aged 65 and older represent 58% of anticipated population growth. However, population declines are projected for the 45 to 54 and 65 to 74 cohorts.