Tarrawanna

Tarrawanna has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of Tarrawanna is around 2,239. This figure represents an increase of 55 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,184. The current population reflects an estimate by AreaSearch based on resident population data from June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 892 persons per square kilometer. Tarrawanna's growth rate of 2.5% since the census is comparable to other areas assessed by AreaSearch, with overseas migration contributing approximately 72.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. For future projections until 2041, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021.

Based on these aggregations, the suburb is expected to increase its population by 209 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 10.1% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Tarrawanna, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Tarrawanna has experienced around 7 dwellings receiving development approval each year. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY21 and FY25, approximately 36 homes were approved, with a further 15 approved in FY26 to date. On average, about 1.1 new residents arrive per new home annually over these years. However, recent data shows this has increased to 4.3 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential supply constraints in the area.

Development projects average $524,000 in construction value, reflecting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This year alone, $5.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, highlighting Tarrawanna's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Tarrawanna records about 56% of the building activity per person and ranks among the 33rd percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. Recent construction comprises 60.0% detached dwellings and 40.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments offering options across different price points.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is around 500 people, reflecting Tarrawanna's quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show the area adding approximately 226 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers may encounter growing competition as population increases.

Tarrawanna has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Nine projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly. Key projects include IRT Towradgi Park Seniors Housing Redevelopment, Corrimal Transport Oriented Development Area, Wilga Street Block Rezoning and Development Control Plan Amendment, and 61 Marlo Road Towradgi - Three Townhouses. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Tarrawanna recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Tarrawanna has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.7% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.8% over the previous year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of that date, 988 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 0.9% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Tarrawanna was significantly lower at 55.1%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. Census responses indicated that a high proportion, 33.3%, of residents worked from home; however, Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. Tarrawanna had a particular employment specialization in education & training, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing showed lower representation at 0.7% compared to the regional average of 5.3%.

The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 0.8% while labour force increased by 0.7%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points, according to AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS data aggregated from broader statistical areas. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced an employment decline of 0.5% and a labour force decline of 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provided further insight into potential future demand within Tarrawanna. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, were mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. National employment was forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Tarrawanna's employment mix suggested that local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, although this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Tarrawanna is below the national average. The median income is $48,933 and the average income stands at $62,876. In comparison, Rest of NSW has a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $53,268 (median) and $68,447 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Tarrawanna rank modestly, between the 23rd and 32nd percentiles. The predominant income cohort spans 26.3% of locals (588 people), earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, reflecting patterns seen in the broader area where 29.9% similarly occupy this range. Economic diversity is evident with 33.8% in constrained financial circumstances but 22.4% achieving substantial weekly earnings. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 31st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Tarrawanna displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Tarrawanna, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 62.8% houses and 37.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tarrawanna was 40.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.2% and rented at 31.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Tarrawanna was $340, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Tarrawanna's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 versus the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $340 compared to the national figure of $375.

Tarrawanna features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 66.0% of all households, including 29.5% couples with children, 25.6% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 34.0%, with lone person households at 31.1% and group households making up 2.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, matching the average for the Rest of NSW.

Educational outcomes in Tarrawanna fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational qualifications in Tarrawanna exceed regional benchmarks with 25.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding university degrees, compared to the SA3 area's 33.6%. This difference indicates potential for educational development and skill enhancement. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent with 36.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (26.5%).

Educational participation is high at 27.7%, comprising primary education (10.1%), secondary education (6.8%), and tertiary education (4.9%).

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

The analysis shows that Tarrawanna has 11 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 17 different routes, offering a total of 367 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically living 213 meters from the nearest stop. As it is mainly residential, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 91% of residents. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents work from home, at 33.3%. This may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 52 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 33 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Tarrawanna is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

Tarrawanna faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment.

The prevalence of common health conditions is substantially higher than average, particularly among older age cohorts. Only approximately 52% (~1,160 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is relatively low. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 11.3% of residents) and mental health issues (8.4%). Conversely, 64.8% of residents claim to be completely free of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across the Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among working-age individuals in Tarrawanna are generally typical. However, with 28.8% of residents being aged 65 and over (644 people), which is higher than the Rest of NSW's 23.4%, health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, although they rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Tarrawanna was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Tarrawanna's population showed above-average cultural diversity, with 21.5% born overseas and 15.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Tarrawanna, accounting for 60.3%, compared to 55.9% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (25.9%), English (25.3%) and Scottish (7.7%).

Notably, Serbian (1.0%), Dutch (2.2%) and Macedonian (2.0%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Tarrawanna compared to the regional averages of 0.2%, 1.0% and 0.4% respectively.

Tarrawanna hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Tarrawanna's median age is 47 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 85 years and above make up a prominent 6.9% of the population, while the 65 to 74 age group constitutes a comparatively smaller 10.1%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of the population aged 25 to 34 has grown from 9.6% to 11.9%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 9.8% to 11.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 12.5% to 11.0%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 12.8% to 11.4%. By the year 2041, Tarrawanna's age composition is expected to experience notable shifts. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 54% (83 people), reaching a population of 238 from its current figure of 154. Meanwhile, both the 65 to 74 and 15 to 24 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.