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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Oberon is $551k, with units at $484k. House values have moved 4.9% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Oberon has an estimated 3,330 residents. Density is about 18 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of regional ABS updates alongside 58 validated new addresses recorded since the Census date, the suburb of Oberon has an estimated resident count of around 3,330 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 11 people (0.3%) over the 3,319 people documented in the 2021 Census, a figure corroborated by reviewing the ABS ERP release from June 2025. With a population density sitting at 17.8 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous living space. While the wider SA4 region expanded by 2.3%, the suburb of Oberon tracked within 2.0 percentage points of this benchmark at 0.3%, highlighting solid local momentum.
Inbound overseas migration served as essentially the sole driver fueling demographic gains across recent periods. Population projections for each SA2 are sourced from the ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset released in 2024 (using 2022 as its baseline), supplemented where necessary by NSW State Government SA2 modeling issued in 2022 (with a 2021 baseline). Age-specific expansion trajectories from these sources are extended across all locations for the period covering 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, the suburb of Oberon is forecast to experience growth tracking slightly under the median for national regional districts, expanding by 177 persons to 2041 under consolidated SA2-level modeling, which translates to an overall rise of 5.3% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
26 new dwellings have been approved in Oberon over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 2.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 18, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals mapped by AreaSearch indicates that Oberon averages roughly 5 dwellings approved for construction annually, accumulating to approximately 26 homes over the past 5 financial years, with 18 approvals already recorded in FY-25. With an average influx of only 0.2 new residents per year per newly approved residence between FY-21 and FY-25, residential supply is comfortably meeting or exceeding local demand, expanding buyer choice and creating capacity for unexpected population expansion. New residential builds carry an average construction value of $526,000, tracking above regional benchmarks and pointing toward high-quality development standards, whereas registered commercial approvals total just $2.1 million this financial year, reflecting subdued commercial activity.
On a per-capita basis, Oberon generates approximately two-thirds the dwelling approvals seen across Rest of NSW and ranks in the 61st percentile across the country, notwithstanding a recent pickup in building pace. This below-average national standing underscores the established nature of the market and potential planning barriers. Detached houses account for 88.0% of recent residential development, while medium and high-density housing makes up 12.0%, preserving the traditional low-density neighborhood fabric tailored for families seeking spacious surroundings. The ratio of roughly 222 people per dwelling approval further underlines the low-density profile of the market. According to the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch, Oberon is on track to add 177 residents through to 2041. While ongoing residential building is keeping suitable pace with this anticipated population trajectory, incoming purchasers may encounter tighter competition as the community expands.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Oberon
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Oberon. A further 29 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.14 billion. 9 are already under construction and 13 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local capital works, planning policies, and major infrastructure initiatives exert significant influence on regional economic trajectory. AreaSearch has pinpointed 1 strategic project likely to shape the district. Notable projects encompassing the broader environment include Bracken Estate, Oberon, Paling Yards Wind Farm, Regional NSW Road Network Safety Improvements, and Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, with primary emphasis placed on those delivering direct local impact.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Bracken Estate, Oberon
Final stage of a rural residential subdivision offering large lots approximately 2 ha each near Oberon township, with sealed road access, full fencing, and three-phase power. Lots are currently available for sale, priced from $470,000 to $495,000.
Bowen Vista Estate
Residential subdivision in South Bowenfels. Hynash constructed Stage 3 comprising 10 lots with roads, kerb and gutter, signage, and installation of utilities. Works for Stage 3 commenced January 2016 and were completed by early December 2016.
Lithgow Council Subdivision 47 Allotments
Council-owned land subdivision into 47 residential allotments developed in 2 construction stages. The project includes new roads, supporting infrastructure, and bulk earthworks to create housing opportunities in the growing Bowenfels area. This development addresses the increasing housing demand in the Lithgow region, particularly in anticipation of population growth from the Western Sydney Airport development.
Sidey Place, Wallerawang
Sidey Place is a strata community of 12 new 2 and 3-bedroom homes in duplex arrangements, developed by Kirana Property. Located in the newer part of Wallerawang, it aims to offer an affordable housing option for the Lithgow area, with premium finishes, large open landscaped spaces, and private patios and courtyards.
Bowenfels Rail Viaducts
The Bowenfels rail viaducts are a series of heritage-listed railway viaducts and bridges over Farmers Creek on the Main Western Line at Bowenfels, designed in two stages (1870 by John Whitton and 1921 by New South Wales Government Railways engineering staff), built from 1870 to 1921. The 1870 viaduct is a sandstone structure with nine semi-circular arches for single track, while the 1921 viaduct is a brick arch with six 12.2-meter clear spans for double track, both part of the railway extension to Bathurst and western New South Wales, and accessible from the original Great Western Highway.
Lithgow Area Resignalling (Stage 2)
Upgrade of the signalling system with a new computer-based interlocking system to increase network capacity, meet operational requirements for new trains, and improve reliability and safety. Resignalling work at Lithgow is underway and will take up to three years to complete.
The Gateway Bathurst
The Gateway Bathurst is a 27-hectare landmark mixed-use commercial and business precinct in Kelso, featuring 1 kilometre of frontage to the Great Western Highway. The development is zoned E3 Productivity Support (formerly B5 Business Development), facilitating large format retail, light industrial, and vehicle showrooms. Operational tenants include Metro Petroleum, Imagine Childcare, and Oporto, with KFC slated for completion and Harvey Norman identified as a future major anchor.
Akura Head Office and Steel Fabrication Factory
State-of-the-art 6,500sqm head office and manufacturing complex including 3,200sqm structural steel fabrication facility with gantry cranes, CNC machines, shot blast machine, and truck wash bay. Capacity to manufacture 50 tonnes of structural steel per week. Also includes precast concrete manufacturing plant with 1,800sqm weekly production capacity. Developed to support company growth and streamlined construction operations.
1,700 residents of Oberon are employed, from a labour force of 1,745. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 62.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,585, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Oberon maintains a diverse labor market spanning both professional and blue-collar roles, anchored by prominent industrial and manufacturing operations, alongside a low unemployment rate of 2.6% per AreaSearch's statistical aggregation. March 2026 figures show 1,700 residents actively employed, with the jobless rate tracking 1.5% below the 4.1% recorded for Regional NSW, while local labor participation closely aligns with the 60.6% regional benchmark. Furthermore, Census figures indicate that only 8.8% of employed locals worked remotely, though this metric was captured during Covid-19 lockdown conditions. The primary employment drivers for the local workforce comprise manufacturing, health care & social assistance, alongside agriculture, forestry & fishing.
The area exhibits an especially strong industrial orientation, with manufacturing employment concentrations reaching 4.1 times the regional norm. In contrast, health care & social assistance represents only 11.1% of local workers compared to 16.9% regionally. Comparing resident workers against the local Census working population indicates a constrained volume of jobs available within the immediate boundary. Reviewing SALM and ABS figures aggregated by AreaSearch reveals that across the 12 months to March 2026, the local labor pool contracted by 1.3% and total employment fell by 2.0%, pushing the jobless rate up by 0.7 percentage points. By comparison, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% shrinkage in its workforce, and an unemployment increase of 0.5 percentage points. Broader hiring prospects can be assessed through Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 national employment projections across five and ten-year horizons. Nationally, overall employment is projected to climb by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with considerable variation across industries. Extrapolating these sector-level trends to Oberon's local economic profile indicates potential employment gains of 4.7% over five years and 11.1% over ten years (representing a baseline weighting calculation for comparison, excluding localized population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Oberon is $1,321 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $709 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,055 a year against an average of $58,114. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Data from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that taxpayer earnings in the suburb of Oberon sit below national averages. Taxpayers recorded a median income of $49,055 and an average income of $58,114, trailing Regional NSW's benchmarks of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Accounting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 indicate a median figure of $54,117 and an average of $64,111. The 2021 Census places the area's personal, family, and household earnings between the 21st and 30th percentiles.
The primary income group comprises 1,038 residents (31.2%) earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, aligning with the 29.9% observed across the wider region. Residual income after housing costs stands at 86.0%, which ranks in the 24th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Oberon had 1,292 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 2% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 28% rented and 42% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $280 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 21.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, separate houses made up 90.8% of the housing stock in Oberon, while medium-density, apartments, and other configurations accounted for 9.2%, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings across Regional NSW. Outright property ownership in Oberon stood higher than the regional benchmark at 41.7%, with mortgaged residences representing 30.2% and rental properties making up 28.1%. Median monthly mortgage costs of $1,517 were substantially lower than the $1,733 recorded across Regional NSW, and weekly median rent of $280 was well beneath the regional figure of $330.
In the national context, local mortgage servicing costs sit far below the Australian median of $1,863, with rental payments also well under the $375 national benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Oberon counted 1,292 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 21% are couples with children, fewer than in 85% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the clear majority of local living arrangements at 65.2%, made up of couples without children (30.9%), couples with children (20.7%), and single parent families (13.2%). The remaining 34.8% consists of non-family households, including single-person dwellings at 31.8% and group households at 2.6%. The typical household size sits at 2.2 people, slightly smaller than the Regional NSW median of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.8% of adults in Oberon hold a university qualification, including 9.8% with a bachelor degree and 2.4% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 84% of areas nationally. A further 32.2% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 523 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 944 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education rates in the locality present distinct challenges, with university attainment standing at 13.8% compared to the NSW benchmark of 32.2%, highlighting key areas for educational development. Within tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees represent 9.8%, postgraduate credentials account for 2.4%, and graduate diplomas make up 1.6%. In contrast, vocational and technical pathways are heavily favored, with 40.7% of persons aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including 32.2% with certificates and 8.5% with advanced diplomas. Participation across educational institutions is substantial, with 28.1% of local residents actively undertaking formal studies. This cohort comprises 12.0% attending primary school, 8.2% in secondary school, and 2.0% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Oberon reaches 82 stops on 15 routes, timetabled for about 190 services a week. The typical home sits about 220 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Transport infrastructure across Oberon features 82 operational bus stops connected across 15 separate routes, delivering 190 weekly passenger trips. Network coverage is favorable, with locals generally situated 215 meters from their closest stop. Given the predominantly residential character of the area, most workers travel outward for work, with private motor vehicles serving as the primary transport mode for 92% of commuters and 5% traveling on foot. Households own an average of 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. Work-from-home arrangements were noted by only 8.8% of workers (2021 Census; potentially impacted by COVID-19 conditions).
Across all transit lines, service frequency averages 27 trips per day, which corresponds to roughly 2 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
61.9% of residents in Oberon report no long-term health condition. 6.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality patterns and chronic ailment rates indicates noticeable health pressures across Oberon, with common medical issues observed across older and younger cohorts alike. Private health insurance uptake is comparatively constrained, covering approximately 50% of residents (~1,663 people), tracking behind the national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma constitute the leading chronic health conditions locally, diagnosed in 11.1 and 8.6% of the population respectively, whereas 61.9% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic conditions are notably prevalent among working-age individuals.
Seniors aged 65 and over represent 27.9% of the community (929 people), exceeding the Regional NSW proportion of 23.3%, with health metrics for this elderly group outperforming national benchmarks and ranking higher than the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Oberon is largely Australian-born, at 87.0% of residents, with 6.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.2%) and English (30.9%). 4.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Oberon demonstrates lower cultural diversity relative to broader averages, with 87.0% of the populace born domestically, 84.4% holding Australian citizenship, and 93.2% speaking only English in their households. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, adhered to by 66.8% of the local population compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Regarding ancestral background, the most prevalent heritages declared across Oberon are Australian at 31.2%, English at 30.9%, and Irish at 10.6%. Other cultural representations exhibit notable differences relative to wider benchmarks, with Australian Aboriginal residents making up 4.1% locally (against 4.6% regionally), Maori individuals comprising 0.6% (compared to 0.3%), and South Australian representation at 0.5% (versus 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Oberon is 47, older than 85% of areas nationally. 20.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of the suburb of Oberon is noticeably older than Regional NSW overall. Seniors and retirees (65+) constitute 27.9% of the local population as at August 2026, compared to 23.3% across the wider region, while young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) account for only 20.2%, trailing the regional level of 23.5%. The estimated median age stands at 47 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 4 years above the Regional NSW median of 43 from that Census, as well as exceeding Australia's Census median of 38.
Since the Census, the senior and retiree demographic expanded from 26.2% to an estimated 27.9%. Looking forward to 2041, young to middle aged adults are projected to see the largest numeric rise, adding 67 (10%) to reach 740.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Oberon
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Nov 2025 11 months ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Nov 2025. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 58 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,319 at the 2021 Census → 3,330 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL13079). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.