Taree

An assessment of population growth drivers in Taree reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

The estimated population of the suburb of Taree is around 17,026 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 311 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 16,715. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 17,006 in June 2025, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 128 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 355 persons per square kilometer. Taree's growth rate of 1.9% since the census is within 1.7 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.6%). Overseas migration contributed approximately 56.99999999999999% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021, are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. According to demographic trends, the suburb is expected to increase its population by just below the median of Australian non-metropolitan areas, reaching an estimated 17,850 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 4.7% over the 16-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Taree has averaged approximately 47 new dwelling approvals each year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an estimated 237 homes were approved, with a further 64 approved so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years, on average, only 0.9 people moved to the area for each dwelling built.

This suggests that new construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations. The average expected construction cost value of new properties in Taree is $452,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, there have been $34.3 million in commercial approvals, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Rest of NSW, Taree records roughly half the building activity per person. Nationally, it places among the 35th percentile of areas assessed, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing homes.

This level reflects market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 62.0% standalone homes and 38.0% attached dwellings, featuring an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 78.0% houses), indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. The estimated count of 470 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show Taree adding 804 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Taree has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that could impact the area. Key initiatives include Manning Base Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2, scheduled for completion in June 2023, Taree Station Rail Infrastructure Upgrades starting in late 2022, and Figtrees on the Manning, expected to begin construction in early 2024. The following list details those projects likely to have the most relevance.

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

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Employment conditions in Taree face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Taree has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate is 8.9%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 6,377 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 5.0% above Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Taree is lower at 49.7%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. Census data shows that only 5.7% of residents work from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food services. Notably, health care & social assistance has employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 1.6% of Taree's workforce compared to 5.3% in Regional NSW. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population numbers. Between December 2024 and November 2025, labour force decreased by 1.4%, while employment fell by 3.3%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.8 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment contract by 1.2%, labour force fall by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insights into potential future demand within Taree. These projections suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Taree's employment mix indicates that local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that in Taree, median income is $40,229 and average income is $49,014. This is below the national averages of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average), as well as Regional NSW's figures. By March 2026, adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.32%, median income in Taree is estimated to be approximately $44,381 and average income around $54,072. Census 2021 data reveals that incomes in Taree fall between the 2nd and 6th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The $400 - 799 earnings band captures 32.3% of the community (5,499 individuals), unlike surrounding regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 category is predominant at 29.9%. A significant proportion, 42.1%, earns below $800 weekly, indicating affordability pressures for many residents. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Taree, with only 81.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 4th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Taree, as per the latest Census, consisted of 78.3% houses and 21.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Taree was at 38.3%, matching Regional NSW, with the rest either mortgaged (23.0%) or rented (38.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Taree was $1,300, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Taree was recorded at $289, compared to Regional NSW's $330 and the national figure of $375. Nationally, Taree's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households account for 61.3 percent of all households, including 17.8 percent couples with children, 26.1 percent couples without children, and 16.1 percent single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 38.7 percent, with lone person households at 35.7 percent and group households comprising 3.1 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.5%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 8.9% and certificates at 31.5%. Educational participation is high, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.0% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Taree has 340 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are covered by 60 routes, providing 976 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 126 meters from the nearest stop. Most commutes are outward-bound due to Taree's residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 93%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 5.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 139 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 2 weekly trips per stop. A map accompanies this data, showing the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Health performance in Taree is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Taree faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at 46% of Taree's total population (~7,898 people), compared to Regional NSW's 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.2%) and mental health issues (11.6%), with 54.4% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age residents have notably high chronic condition rates. Taree has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.4%, or 4,494 people, than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges, with national rankings broadly aligning with the general population.

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

Taree, as per the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index below average with 88.6% of its population being Australian citizens, 90.2% born in Australia, and 94.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 57.6% of Taree's population compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.2%), English (31.5%), and Australian Aboriginal (9.0%).

Some ethnic groups had notable differences in representation: Lebanese at 0.2% in Taree versus 0.2% regionally, Filipino at 0.9% versus 0.6%, and Korean at 0.1% versus 0.1%.

Taree hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Taree's median age is 44 years, similar to Regional NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Taree has a higher percentage of residents aged 75-84 (10.3%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (10.1%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 10.9% to 12.3%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 9.8% to 11.0%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort declined from 12.8% to 11.9%. By 2041, Taree's age composition is expected to change significantly. The 45-54 group is projected to grow by 16%, reaching 1,997 people from the current 1,719. Meanwhile, the 65-74 and 55-64 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.