Singleton (NSW)

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

Singleton's population is estimated at around 5,281 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 96 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5,185 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of resident population at 5,270 following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and validation of seven new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,211 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 55% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation, with Singleton expected to increase by 681 persons to 2041 reflecting a total increase of 13.6%.

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

Singleton has experienced around 7 dwelling approvals each year since FY-21. This totals an estimated 37 homes over the past five financial years. So far in FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, 5.3 new residents are associated with every home built annually between FY-21 and FY-25.

The demand for housing significantly exceeds supply, which typically results in price growth and increased buyer competition. New homes are being constructed at an average cost of $714,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, $2.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting limited commercial development activity compared to residential. Singleton has significantly less development activity than the rest of NSW, with 87.0% fewer approvals per person. This scarcity can strengthen demand and prices for existing properties.

Nationally, Singleton's development activity is also below average, potentially due to its mature market or planning constraints. New development consists predominantly of detached dwellings (89.0%) and a smaller proportion of townhouses or apartments (11.0%), maintaining the area's suburban identity with a focus on family homes. The location has approximately 710 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Singleton is projected to add 717 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include New England Highway - Singleton Bypass, Bridgman Ridge Estate - Hunterview, Singleton Housing Acceleration Plan, and Langham Estate - Hunterview. 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 Singleton are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Singleton's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently featured. The unemployment rate stands at 5.5%, as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, Singleton has 2,401 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 7.3% compared to Rest of NSW's 3.8%. Workforce participation is 59.3%, slightly higher than the regional average of 56.4%. Key employment sectors include mining, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food services. Mining stands out with employment levels at 8.7 times the regional average, while health care & social assistance has a lower presence at 11.4% compared to the regional average of 16.9%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Over the year ending September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.6%, with employment decreasing by 4.0%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.5%, labour force fell by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that while overall employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Singleton's employment mix indicates potential local employment increases of 5.4% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for local population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Singleton's income level is below the national average according to AreaSearch data from the ATO for financial year 2023. The median income in Singleton is $48,993 and the average income stands at $65,954. This compares with figures for Rest of NSW which are $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $53,334 (median) and $71,798 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Singleton rank modestly between the 35th and 36th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that the largest segment comprises 29.7% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,568 residents), consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 29.9% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 38th percentile.

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

The dwelling structure in Singleton, as per the latest Census, consisted of 83.2% houses and 16.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 90.9% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Singleton was at 32.8%, similar to Non-Metro NSW's figure. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (33.0%) or rented (34.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Singleton was $1,733, aligning with the Non-Metro NSW average. The median weekly rent was recorded at $300, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $340. Nationally, Singleton's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Singleton features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 64.4% of all households, including 24.5% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 13.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for 35.6%, with lone person households at 32.9% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.6%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas represent 8.0% and certificates account for 34.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Singleton has 55 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 79 different routes that together facilitate 1,520 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 154 meters to the nearest stop.

On average, there are 217 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 27 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Singleton is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Singleton faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover stands at approximately 53%, slightly above the average SA2 area (~2,799 people). The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (11.0%) and mental health issues (9.9%). About 62.4% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to Rest of NSW's 62.6%. Singleton has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.3% (1,019 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 16.9%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Singleton had a cultural diversity level below average, with 89.9% of its population being citizens, 90.3% born in Australia, and 95.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Singleton, accounting for 58.4% of its population. This figure is higher than the 55.7% recorded across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups in Singleton were Australian (31.4%), English (30.7%), and Irish (9.0%). Notably, certain ethnic groups had varying representations: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 6.8% compared to the regional average of 6.3%, German at 3.9% versus 3.2%, and Maori at 0.5% against a regional average of 0.3%.

Singleton's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Singleton is 40 years, which is slightly below Rest of NSW's average of 43 but above Australia's median of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 15.4% of Singleton's population, higher than the Rest of NSW average, while those aged 65-74 constitute 9.8%, lower than the Rest of NSW average. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 14.0% to 15.4%, and the 35-44 cohort has risen from 11.4% to 12.6%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 12.9% to 11.7%, and the 5-14 age group has fallen from 12.6% to 11.5%. By 2041, Singleton's population is projected to see significant changes. The 25-34 age cohort is expected to grow by 224 people (28%), from 813 to 1,038. Meanwhile, the 15-24 and 55-64 age groups are anticipated to experience population declines.