Chart Color Schemes
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 $535k, with units at $464k. House values have moved 4.2% 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.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Oberon has an estimated 3,331 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
Analyzing population updates from the ABS alongside new address data validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Oberon has an estimated population of 3,331 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 12 people (0.4%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 3,319 residents. This calculation is derived from the resident figure of 3,331, calculated by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus 58 validated new addresses registered since the Census date. With this population level, the density ratio stands at 17.8 persons per square kilometer, indicating residents have plenty of space.
The post-census growth of 0.4% in the suburb of Oberon is within 1.8 percentage points of the wider SA4 region (2.2%), displaying competitive expansion fundamentals. This population growth was mainly supported by overseas migration, which acted as the sole source of gains during the recent timeframe. For projected population trends, AreaSearch uses data from ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, substituting NSW State Government SA2 projections from 2022 with a 2021 baseline where necessary. Growth rates by age brackets from these sources are also projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographic changes, the suburb of Oberon is projected to grow at a pace slightly below the national regional median, adding 172 residents by 2041 according to collective SA2 projections, which translates to a total increase of 5.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
47 new dwellings have been approved in Oberon over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 2.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 16, 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
According to building approval figures from the ABS allocated by AreaSearch from statistical area data, Oberon has averaged approximately 9 new residential approvals annually, with 47 homes approved during the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 15 approved during FY-26 so far. With an average of only 0.2 new residents added per constructed home over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), the volume of new supply is matching or outstripping demand, providing buyers with diverse options and leaving room for population growth above current expectations.
These new dwellings carry an average estimated construction cost of $601,000, which suggests developers are focusing on the higher-end market. Furthermore, commercial approvals have reached $2.1 million this financial year, pointing to a market that is overwhelmingly residential. Compared to the Rest of NSW, building activity per person in Oberon is at 64%, placing it in the 30th percentile of areas evaluated across the nation, which limits choice for buyers and helps sustain interest in established properties. This figure also sits below the national average, reflecting the mature nature of the locality and pointing to possible planning constraints. Detached houses make up 83.0% of new residential projects while attached dwellings account for 17.0%, maintaining the low-density feel of the area and appealing to buyers looking for larger properties. There are an estimated 554 people in the area for every single dwelling approval, highlighting a quiet residential development sector. Long-term forecasts indicate that Oberon will add 172 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Looking at ongoing construction trends, the supply of new housing is positioned to comfortably satisfy local demand, maintaining favorable conditions for prospective buyers and potentially supporting population growth that exceeds existing projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Oberon
Loading development applications…
| 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 performance is heavily influenced by changes in infrastructure, major projects, and planning policies. AreaSearch has identified a single project expected to impact the local area. The key developments of interest include Bracken Estate, Oberon, Paling Yards Wind Farm, Regional NSW Road Network Safety Improvements, and the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, with details on the most relevant initiatives provided below.
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.
1,691 residents of Oberon are employed, from a labour force of 1,736. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 62.0%. 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 2,590, 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 has a balanced workforce distributed between white-collar and blue-collar roles, with a notable presence of industrial and manufacturing sectors, and an unemployment rate of only 2.6% based on statistical data compiled by AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 1,691 employed residents. The local unemployment rate is 1.5% below the Regional NSW rate of 4.1%, while workforce participation closely matches the Regional NSW benchmark of 60.6%. Census figures indicate that a modest 8.8% of employed residents worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns. The primary employment sectors for residents are manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and agriculture, forestry & fishing.
The area shows a high concentration of jobs in manufacturing, where the employment share is 4.1 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is under-represented, employing 11.1% of the local workforce compared to 16.9% across Regional NSW. The ratio of local workers to resident workers suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat limited. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that for the year ending March 2026, the local workforce shrank by 1.4% while total employment fell by 2.1%, causing the unemployment rate to climb by 0.7 percentage points. Across Regional NSW, employment decreased by 0.9%, the labour force contracted by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.5 percentage points. Future local demand trends can be evaluated using national employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia. These five and ten-year forecasts have been mapped against the local industry profile. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with significant variation among sectors. Applying these specific rates to the local employment mix suggests that employment in Oberon could expand by 4.7% over five years and 11.1% over ten years, assuming a weighted extrapolation without localized population adjustments.
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
Taxpayer data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year shows that the suburb of Oberon registered a median income of $49,055 and an average income of $58,114. These figures are below the national average and compare to Regional NSW benchmarks of $52,390 and $65,215. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would be roughly $54,117 for median income and $64,111 for average income as of March 2026. In the Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Oberon are modest, placing between the 21st and 30th percentiles.
The data indicates that the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket is the most common, accounting for 31.2% of residents (1,039 people), which is similar to the wider region where 29.9% fall into this bracket. After housing costs are met, 86.0% of income is retained, putting the area in the 24th percentile nationwide.
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 latest Census, housing in Oberon consists of 90.8% standalone houses and 9.2% other housing types, such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or alternative dwellings, compared to Regional NSW where houses make up 82.6% and other dwellings make up 17.4%. Outright home ownership in Oberon is higher than the Regional NSW average at 41.7%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 30.2% and rented properties making up 28.1%. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,517, which is below the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while the median weekly rent was $280, compared to $330 in Regional NSW.
Nationally, mortgage repayments in Oberon are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national average of $375.
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 make up 65.2% of local households, consisting of 20.7% couples with children, 30.9% couples without children, and 13.2% single parents. Non-family households represent the remaining 34.8%, with single-person households at 31.8% and group households at 2.6%. The median household size is 2.2 residents, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average 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
Educational attainment profiles show that 13.8% of residents hold university qualifications, which is below the NSW state average of 32.2%. This dynamic presents both a development hurdle and an opportunity for local educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Technical and vocational skills are prominent, with 40.7% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.5% and certificates at 32.2%. Enrolment in education is high, with 28.1% of residents currently studying.
This group includes 12.0% in primary schools, 8.2% in secondary schools, and 2.0% in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Oberon reaches 88 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
Public transport analysis identifies 88 active bus stops operating in Oberon, which are serviced by 15 distinct routes that provide a total of 193 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is rated as good, with residents living an average of 215 meters from their nearest stop. As the area is mostly residential, most employed residents commute out of the suburb, with driving remaining the primary mode of travel at 92% and walking at 5%. Households own an average of 1.5 vehicles. A relatively low 8.8% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Service frequency averages 27 runs per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 2 weekly trips for each transport 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
Local health trends indicate significant challenges based on mortality and chronic illness rates across young and old cohorts, while private health insurance coverage is relatively low at roughly 50% of the population (~1,663 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, which affect 11.1% and 8.6% of residents. Meanwhile, 61.9% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The working-age population has elevated rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 27.3% of the local population (909 people), which is higher than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%.
Seniors in the area experience better health outcomes than the national average, 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
Cultural diversity in Oberon is lower than the national average, with citizens making up 84.4% of the population, 87.0% born in Australia, and 93.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion at 66.8%, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Regarding ancestry, the top three groups represented in Oberon are Australian at 31.2%, English at 30.9%, and Irish at 10.6%. There are notable differences compared to regional averages, with Australian Aboriginal residents representing 4.1% of Oberon (compared to 4.6% regionally), Maori at 0.6% (compared to 0.3%), and South Australian at 0.5% (compared to 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Oberon is 47, older than 85% of areas nationally. 20.9% 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 median age in Oberon is 47 years, which is older than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. The population has a high proportion of people aged 75 - 84 (11.1%), while the 35 - 44 cohort is smaller (10.5%) than in Regional NSW. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 8.9% to 11.1% of the population. In contrast, the 65 to 74 group has decreased from 14.6% to 12.7% and the 5 to 14 group has declined from 12.7% to 11.5%.
By 2041, the age structure is projected to shift, with the 85+ cohort increasing by 66% (77 people) to reach 194 from 116. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 age cohorts are projected to contract.
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 Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Nov 2025 9 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 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,319 at the 2021 Census → 3,331 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 May 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.