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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
Sales Activity
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Population
Thrumster lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Thrumster's estimated population is around 2,865 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 483 people (20.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,382 people in the Thrumster statistical area (Lv2). The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,762 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS on June 2024 and an additional 831 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 219 persons per square kilometer in the Thrumster (SA2). Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 90.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year.
For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of regional areas across the nation is forecast. The Thrumster (SA2) is expected to expand by 896 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 25.0% in total over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Thrumster among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide
Thrumster has experienced approximately 95 dwelling approvals annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Between FY21 and FY25, around 475 homes were approved, with an additional 46 in FY26 so far. On average, one person moved to the area for each dwelling built over these years.
This indicates that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $473,000, demonstrating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY26, $11.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Thrumster records 403.0% more building activity per person, providing ample buyer choice. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. This is significantly above the national average, indicating robust developer interest in the area.
New development consists of 70.0% standalone homes and 30.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. This marks a significant departure from existing housing patterns, which are currently 91.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Thrumster reflects a developing area, with around 44 people per approval. Future projections show Thrumster adding 715 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Thrumster has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include Thrumster Business Park, Sovereign Place Town Centre, The Sanctuary Port Macquarie, and Barton Heights Master Plan (Sovereign Hills). The following list details those most likely to be relevant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Sovereign Hills Master Planned Community
A $1 billion premier master-planned community by Lewis Land Group in the Thrumster urban release area. The project features up to 2,000 residential lots with a projected population of 8,000 residents. Key components include the Sovereign Place Town Centre, which is expanding to a 60,000sqm mixed-use precinct featuring a Business and Technology Park, health and wellbeing services, and an entertainment zone. Recent updates include the mid-2025 opening of the fourth display village and the 2026 commencement of Sovereign Rise, a dedicated over-55s gated community within the precinct.
Port Macquarie Base Hospital Mechanical and Clinical Infrastructure Upgrade
The $265 million upgrade of Port Macquarie Base Hospital focuses on essential mechanical and clinical infrastructure. Key features include the expansion and refurbishment of the Emergency Department, upgrades to Maternity Services and the Neonatal Care Unit (Special Care Nursery), and critical mechanical system renewals for the original 1994 building. The project aims to meet rising demand for health services on the Mid North Coast and improve clinical functionality and patient experience.
Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility
The Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility (PMAF) is a planned regional hub designed to replace the aging Port Macquarie War Memorial Olympic Pool. Approved by the Northern Regional Planning Panel in November 2024, the project is structured into two stages. Stage 1 includes a 10-lane 50m outdoor pool with an adjustable swim wall, a 25m pool with a transparent roof, a 20m indoor program pool with a moveable floor, a gym, and 128 parking spaces. Stage 2 adds a splash pad, water slides, and further gym and parking expansions. Despite a declined federal grant in early 2025, the Council continues to prioritize the $67 million project for construction as funding becomes available.
Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy
State-wide NSW planning reforms to enable diverse low and mid-rise housing, including dual occupancies, terraces, townhouses, and apartment buildings up to 6 storeys. The policy applies to residential zones within 800m of 171 nominated transport hubs and town centres. Stage 1 (dual occupancies) commenced 1 July 2024, and Stage 2 (mid-rise apartments and terraces) commenced 28 February 2025. In June 2025, further amendments adjusted aircraft noise thresholds and clarified storey definitions to expand the policy's reach. The initiative is expected to facilitate approximately 112,000 additional homes by 2030.
Thrumster Business Park
Thrumster Business Park is a master-planned, eco-friendly industrial precinct in Port Macquarie covering over 120,000 sqm across 60+ lots. The development is divided into two precincts: Precinct 1 for community-friendly businesses and Precinct 2 for traditional industrial uses. A significant expansion (PP-2023-2079) was endorsed in late 2025 to rezone a 5.5-hectare portion to E3 Productivity Support, enabling 170 residential units, 17,600 sqm of commercial/industrial space, and medical and health centers. Stage 1 is complete and registered, while civil construction for Stages 2 and 3 is active as of early 2026.
Fernbank Creek and Sancrox Structure Plan
A strategic structure plan establishing a long-term vision for the Fernbank Creek and Sancrox area to be developed as a network of well-serviced villages. The plan identifies a potential yield of 4,500 dwellings across four key precincts to support the growth of the Port Macquarie-Hastings region through 2046. It guides future rezoning, infrastructure sequencing for water and sewer, and conservation efforts, forming a core component of the Local Housing Delivery Plan adopted in August 2024 and conditionally approved by the NSW Government in March 2025.
Sovereign Place Town Centre
The commercial heart of the Sovereign Hills master planned community. Stage One is complete. The Town Centre is planned to expand to over 60,000sqm, incorporating diverse retail, a Business and Technology Park, a Health and Wellbeing Precinct, commercial offices, and a community library/town green.
The Sanctuary Port Macquarie
Masterplanned residential community offering premium homesites in a relaxed coastal lifestyle setting. The project features over 200 new homes across multiple stages, with Stage 7 now selling from $415,000. Located 10 minutes from Port Macquarie CBD and beaches, the development includes landscaped parks, walking tracks, and protected nature reserves.
Employment
AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Thrumster performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia
Thrumster has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 1.8% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.3%.
As of September 2025, 1,454 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 2.1% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is high at 69.9%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Health care & social assistance has a particularly strong presence, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 1.4%, compared to 5.3% regionally. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.3%, labour force by 1.5%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.5%, labour force contract by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Thrumster's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, assuming constant population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2023 indicates that income in Thrumster is exceptionally high nationally. The median assessed income was $63,825 while the average income stood at $83,751. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures where the median income was $52,390 and the average income was $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates project the median income to be approximately $69,480 and the average income to be around $91,171 as of September 2025. Census data from 2021 reveals that incomes in Thrumster cluster around the 64th percentile nationally. Income brackets show that the predominant cohort spans 38.5% of locals (1,103 people) within the $1,500 - $2,999 category, aligning with metropolitan regions where this cohort represents 29.9%. High housing costs consume 18.7% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 60th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Thrumster is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
The dwelling structure in Thrumster, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.8% houses and 9.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Thrumster was at 21.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.9% and rented ones at 31.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,080, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in Thrumster was recorded at $460, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $375. Nationally, Thrumster's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Thrumster features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 82.8% of all households, including 38.9% couples with children, 29.9% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 17.2%, with lone person households at 14.5% and group households comprising 2.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
The educational profile of Thrumster exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics
In Thrumster Trail region, 22.9% of residents aged 15 and above possess university degrees, compared to the New South Wales average of 32.2%. This disparity indicates potential for educational advancement and skill enhancement. Bachelor's degrees are most common at 15.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 43.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 31.1%.
Educational participation is notably high, with 33.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.6% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 4.8% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Transport analysis shows 10 active stops operating in Thrumster, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are served by 41 individual routes, collectively offering 307 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 342 meters from the nearest stop.
Service frequency averages 43 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 30 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Thrumster's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts
Health data shows positive outcomes for Thrumster residents. The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts.
Private health cover is exceptionally high in Thrumster, with approximately 60% of the total population (1,718 people) having it, compared to 48.9% across Rest of NSW. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.5 and 9.9% of residents respectively. A total of 68.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 59.9% across Rest of NSW. Thrumster has 10.8% of residents aged 65 and over (309 people), which is lower than the 28.7% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Thrumster ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Thrumster's population was found to be predominantly Australian-born, with 85.1% having been born in Australia and 91.1% being citizens. English was spoken exclusively at home by 91.8% of residents. Christianity was the primary religion, practiced by 51.4% of Thrumster's population.
Notably, Hinduism, which constituted only 0.5% of Rest of NSW's population, made up 2.5% in Thrumster. The top three ancestral groups were English (31.0%), Australian (30.9%), and Irish (8.4%). There were significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 5.5%, compared to 3.8% regionally, Maltese at 0.8% versus 0.4%, and Indian at 2.8% against a regional average of 0.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Thrumster hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide
The median age in Thrumster is 32, which is notably lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 and also substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Rest of NSW, Thrumster has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 18.2%, but fewer 55-64 year-olds at 6.5%. Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group grew from 17.1% to 18.2% of Thrumster's population. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort declined from 8.1% to 6.5%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 15.9% to 14.4%. By 2041, Thrumster is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 25 to 34 group is projected to grow by 41%, adding 211 people and reaching a total of 733 from the previous figure of 521. The 55 to 64 group, however, displays more modest growth at 7%, with an increase of only 13 residents.