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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 Scone is $650k, with units at $368k. House values have moved 9.5% 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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Scone has an estimated 5,784 residents, down from 5,824 at the 2021 Census. Density is about 53 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 ABS demographic data and AreaSearch's validation of newer addresses post-Census, the suburb of Scone has an estimated residency of 5,784 as of May 2026. This represents a minor reduction of 40 individuals (0.7%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 5,824 residents. This calculation incorporates a base resident count of 5,782 estimated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP figures, supplemented by 39 newly validated locations since the Census. With these numbers, the demographic density stands at 53 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment.
The main driver of population gains lately has been overseas arrivals, which accounted for approximately 98.0% of all inflows. Projections for the suburb of Scone rely on SA2 aggregations published by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as the anchor year), or NSW State Government SA2 forecasts from 2022 (with a 2021 base) where the former is unavailable. Age cohort growth rates from these projections are extended from 2032 to 2041. Future expectations point to growth aligned with the bottom quartile of regional Australian locations, with the suburb of Scone predicted to expand by 116 residents by 2041, representing a total rise of 2.0% over the 16-year timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
91 new dwellings have been approved in Scone over the past five years, an average of 18 a year. That is 3.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 26, 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
An evaluation of ABS building approvals indicates that Scone average approximately 18 annual residential approvals, totaling 91 approved dwellings over the 5 fiscal years from FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 24 approvals during FY-26 so far. With the population experiencing a slight decline, this building rate appears sufficient to satisfy local demand and offer options for purchasers. The approved dwellings carry an average construction value of $487,000, signaling that builders are targeting upmarket buyers. Additionally, commercial development approvals reached $8.6 million during the current fiscal year, highlighting the primarily domestic nature of the locality.
Scone exhibits a slightly higher rate of building approvals per capita than the Rest of NSW (exceeding the regional average by 10.0% over the 5-year timeframe), which supports residential valuations while giving buyers options. However, this pace is lower than the country-wide average, reflecting the established nature of the community and prospective planning limits. Detached houses account for 82.0% of the newly approved dwellings, while townhouses or apartments make up the remaining 18.0%, preserving the low-density, family-oriented feel of the area. With roughly 276 citizens for each dwelling approval, the neighborhood displays typical low-density metrics. Long-term forecasts suggest Scone will gain 114 additional residents by 2041, according to the latest quarterly calculations by AreaSearch. In light of established construction trends, the volume of new residential completions is expected to easily satisfy this demand, maintaining favorable purchasing conditions and potentially supporting a faster rate of expansion than currently forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Scone
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 49 current infrastructure and development projects close to Scone, worth an estimated $13.4 billion. 19 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, residential development 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 economic and property performance is heavily influenced by regional infrastructure projects and planning changes. A single major project has been identified as having a probable local effect. The key initiatives of interest are the Upper Hunter Energy Park, the Aberdeen Valley Fair Commercial Development, the AGL Pumped Hydro Projects (Glenbawn and Glennies Creek), and the Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
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
Aberdeen Valley Fair Commercial Development
Demolition of existing structures and construction of a mixed-use commercial development comprising of a two-story commercial building incorporating ground floor retail shops and supermarket and first floor commercial tenancies, a 24-hour highway service centre, quick service food outlet, bulky goods retail outlets, and car parking. The total site area is 9,854sqm and is zoned B2 Local Centre. The building area is 780sqm.
Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
The proposed Upper Hunter Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will be capable of providing a power/capacity of 400MW/800MWh, providing up to 2 hours of energy storage to power approximately 480,000 homes. Located in Aberdeen, NSW, the BESS will connect to the existing transmission network and will contribute significantly to the surrounding area by improving energy reliability, reducing energy costs, fostering economic growth and supporting Australia's transition to net-zero emissions. The scope of the works includes construction of a BESS, overhead or underground cables, and installation of a switching station and associated infrastructure.The site size is 12 Hectares.
Muswellbrook Thermal Storage Facility
Installation and operation of a 4.99 MW concentrated solar thermal (CST) demonstration facility utilizing CSIRO's innovative particle-based technology. The project features approximately 7,600 heliostats and a 110-meter solar tower with 16-hour thermal storage capacity. It stores solar heat in ceramic particles to generate dispatchable electricity for the national grid, showcasing a zero-emissions alternative to traditional power cycles. The facility is a key component of the transitioning Hunter Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone.
Muswellbrook Solar Farm
135MW solar farm and 135MW/270MWh battery energy storage facility (BESS) on the former Muswellbrook Coal Mine site. Approved by the NSW IPC in May 2025 and the Federal Government in August 2025. It will generate enough power for up to 79,000 homes. The expected construction completion date is early 2028.
Muswellbrook Hospital Redevelopment - Stage 3
Stage 3 of the NSW Government's $45 million Muswellbrook Hospital Redevelopment is under construction. The project includes a new operating theatre suite, central sterilising department and relocated community health facilities. The operating theatres opened in early 2026, the new community health space was completed in July 2026 and is preparing to open, while the new sterilising department remains under construction with overall completion expected in 2027.
Northview Estate
Premium residential community in the heart of the Upper Hunter featuring multiple stages with Stage 5B currently releasing 27 lots ranging from 750sqm to 1,463sqm. Previous stages 4A, 4B and 5A are sold out. Fully serviced lots with town water, sewer, underground power and NBN. Offers panoramic views to Bells Mountain and Hunter River flats.
Muswellbrook Marketplace Redevelopment
A multi-stage transformation of the primary shopping hub following Muswellbrook Shire Council's 34.25 million dollar acquisition. The project focuses on revitalizing the town centre by improving pedestrian flows, creating active street frontages, and enhancing accessibility. Works include the reconstruction of the Marketplace Laneway to connect with Bridge Street and internal renovations to modernize retail spaces.
Muswellbrook Bridge Replacements
Replacement of three aging rail bridges on the Hunter Valley rail line to improve network reliability and safety. The project involved demolishing and replacing the Bridge Street, Muscle Creek, and Hunter River bridges with modern concrete structures. The Bridge Street bridge was replaced with a 26-meter single-span concrete bridge, while the Muscle Creek and Hunter River bridges were replaced with a combined 176-meter multi-span concrete bridge using innovative incremental launch construction methodology.
2,926 residents of Scone are employed, from a labour force of 2,987. Unemployment sits at 2.0%, with participation at 63.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Scone features a diverse employment profile with balanced representation across industrial and professional occupations, boasting a low unemployment rate of 2.0% and an estimated annual job growth rate of 1.9% based on localized statistics. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,926, and the jobless rate was 2.1% lower than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%. Workforce participation is recorded at 63.0%, compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census data indicates that a modest 9.5% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic lockdowns.
The primary employment sectors for local residents consist of mining, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance. The community exhibits a strong specialization in the mining sector, employing residents at a rate 5.0 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 10.2% of the workforce, which is below the 16.9% recorded across Regional NSW. Although local businesses provide jobs, the ratio of Census workers to the resident population suggests a significant portion of the workforce travels to other districts for employment. According to SALM and ABS statistics compiled for the year ending March 2026, local employment grew by 1.9% and the total labor force expanded by 1.4%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 0.5 percentage points. Conversely, Regional NSW saw employment shrink by 0.9% and its labor force contract by 0.4%, resulting in a 0.5 percentage point rise in joblessness. National forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on future labor needs. These national five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though sector-specific trajectories vary. Applying these trends to the local industry mix suggests employment for residents could rise by 5.1% over five years and 11.6% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Scone is $1,507 a week (about $78,000 a year), with median personal income at $802 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,359 a year against an average of $96,728. The average runs 88% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. 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
Tax data from the ATO for financial year 2023 indicates that taxpayers in Scone had a median income of $51,359 and an average income of $96,728. Nationally, these figures are notably high, comparing to Regional NSW metrics of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average). Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimated values are approximately $56,659 for the median and $106,710 for the average as of March 2026. However, the 2021 Census shows household, family, and individual incomes are moderate, placing between the 36th and 49th percentiles.
The most common weekly household income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, capturing 29.0% of the population (1,677 people), which is close to the regional rate of 29.9%. Approximately 85.3% of income remains after housing costs are met.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Scone had 2,286 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 1% apartments. 35% are owned with a mortgage, 32% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $290 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,603 a month. Rent absorbs 19.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Scone consisted of 84.7% separate houses and 15.2% alternative options like townhouses or apartments, compared to 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% alternative options in Regional NSW. Home ownership levels were lower than the regional average, sitting at 33.2%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 35.1% and rentals comprising 31.7% of dwellings. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,603 and the median weekly rent was $290, which are lower than the Regional NSW figures of $1,733 and $330. On a national level, these costs are also below the Australian median mortgage payment of $1,863 and the median weekly rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Scone counted 2,286 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 29% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 67.4% of the local households, consisting of couples with children at 28.1%, couples without children at 27.4%, and single parents at 11.0%. The remaining 32.6% are non-family households, which include single person households at 29.1% and shared homes at 3.3%. The median household size is 2.4 residents, matching the Regional NSW average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.0% of adults in Scone hold a university qualification, including 12.1% with a bachelor degree and 2.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.4% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,489 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 966 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
Tertiary educational attainment in the community is relatively low, with university graduation rates at 16.0% compared to the state benchmark of 32.2%. Among those with higher education, bachelor degrees are held by 12.1%, postgraduate degrees by 2.5%, and graduate diplomas by 1.4%. Practical and trade qualifications are more common, with 40.4% of citizens aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including 9.0% with advanced diplomas and 31.4% with certificates. A significant portion of the population is engaged in study, with 28.9% of residents enrolled in an educational program. This includes 11.3% attending primary school, 8.8% in high school, and 2.1% in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Scone reaches 129 stops on 23 routes, timetabled for about 870 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 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 options in Scone consist of 129 stops covering train and bus services. These stops accommodate 23 routes, providing 871 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is high, with an average distance of 167 meters to the nearest transit point. Private vehicles are the primary mode of travel, used by 93% of commuters, while 4% walk to work. Average vehicle ownership is 1.4 cars per household. A low proportion of the workforce, 9.5%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic restrictions. Transit services run an average of 124 times daily across the network, which translates to roughly 6 weekly passenger trips per individual stop.
The mapped data outlines the 100 closest transit stops to the central point.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.2% of residents in Scone report no long-term health condition. 6.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 65.1% 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 statistics indicate notable challenges based on mortality and chronic illness rates across different age cohorts, while private health insurance enrollment is high, covering approximately 65% of residents (3,763 people). This compares to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent diagnosed conditions, affecting 8.6% and 8.4% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 67.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Health metrics for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.1% of the population (1,278 people), slightly below the Regional NSW average of 23.4%.
The health status of local seniors presents some difficulties, with national rankings aligning with typical patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Scone is largely Australian-born, at 87.7% of residents, with 7.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.3%) and English (31.8%). 4.9% 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
The locality displays low levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 87.8% of the community, 87.7% of residents born in Australia, and 92.8% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, practiced by 65.5% of residents, compared to 55.9% in Regional NSW. Regarding family background, the main ancestries reported are Australian at 32.3%, English at 31.8%, and Irish at 8.6%. Some demographic variations exist compared to the region, with Australian Aboriginal ancestry accounting for 4.9% of the population (compared to 4.6% regionally), Scottish ancestry at 7.8% (compared to 8.0%), and Filipino ancestry at 1.0% (compared to 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Scone is 39. 24.0% 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 of residents is 39 years, which is lower than the Regional NSW average of 43 and close to the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to the wider region, there is a higher share of people aged 35 - 44 (15.0%) and a smaller share aged 55 - 64 (10.6%). Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 cohort grew from 12.9% to 15.0% of the population, and the 65 to 74 group rose from 9.6% to 11.3%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 group fell from 12.1% to 10.4%, and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 14.3% to 12.8%.
Projections to 2041 indicate that the population aged 75 to 84 will rise by 26% (111 people), growing from 433 to 545. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to make up 63% of the total growth, while the 5 to 14 and 55 to 64 cohorts are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Scone
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| 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 — 39 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (5,824 at the 2021 Census → 5,784 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 (SAL13518). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.