Tumbarumba

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of the Tumbarumba statistical area (Lv2) is around 1,987. This figure represents a growth of 72 people since the 2021 Census, when the population was recorded as 1,915. AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population in June 2024 was 1,882, with an additional 37 validated new addresses contributing to the increase. This results in a population density ratio of 8.6 persons per square kilometer. The Tumbarumba (SA2) has shown stronger growth than its SA3 area counterpart since the 2021 Census, with a growth rate of 3.8% compared to 2.8%. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 94.0% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch's projections for Tumbarumba are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. These projections indicate a decline in overall population by 2041, with the area's population expected to shrink by 4 persons. However, specific age cohorts are projected to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, which is anticipated to increase by 46 people over this period.

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

Tumbarumba approved three new dwellings annually between 2016 and 2020, totaling sixteen over this five-year period. This low development activity reflects Tumbarumba's rural nature, where housing needs drive development rather than broad market demand. The small sample size means annual growth can be significantly influenced by individual projects.

Compared to the Rest of NSW and national averages, Tumbarumba has much lower development activity. Recent development comprised solely standalone homes, aligning with rural living preferences for space and privacy. With an estimated 773 people per dwelling approval, Tumbarumba's development environment is quiet and low-activity. Population stability or decline is expected, potentially reducing housing pressure and creating buying opportunities.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Tumbarumba should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Tumbarumba has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, key projects, and planning initiatives. Zero projects have been pinpointed by AreaSearch as potentially impacting this area. Notable projects include Tumut River Works Program, HumeLink, Riverina Redevelopment Program, and Olympic Highway Safety Improvements, with the following list highlighting those most relevant.

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

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The employment landscape in Tumbarumba shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Tumbarumba's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent, with an unemployment rate of 3.7%.

Over the past year, employment grew by 3.7%. As of September 2025862 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.6%, 0.1% below Rest of NSW's rate. Workforce participation is lower at 53.7% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant sectors include manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and public administration & safety.

Manufacturing has a strong presence, with an employment share 2.8 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance is under-represented at 9.4% compared to Rest of NSW's 16.9%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited based on Census data. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 3.7%, labour force by 4.7%, raising unemployment by 0.9 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National unemployment is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth varies between sectors. Applying these projections to Tumbarumba's mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.8% over five years and 11.1% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The suburb of Tumbarumba had a median taxpayer income of $46,741 and an average income of $56,360 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This was lower than the national average. The Rest of NSW had a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215 during the same period. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%, estimated incomes would be approximately $50,882 (median) and $61,353 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in Tumbarumba fell between the 17th and 24th percentiles nationally. Income brackets showed that the largest segment comprised 29.8% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (592 residents), which was similar to the regional bracket of 29.9%. Despite modest housing costs with 89.4% of income retained, total disposable income ranked at just the 23rd percentile nationally.

Tumbarumba is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Tumbarumba, as evaluated at the Census conducted in 2016, comprised 96.7% houses and 3.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 92.0% houses and 8.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tumbarumba was 46.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.2% and rented ones at 25.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,165, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,300 and Australia's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Tumbarumba was $220, lower than Non-Metro NSW's $230 and Australia's figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 68.5% of all households, including 20.6% couples with children, 35.0% couples without children, and 12.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.5%, with lone person households at 30.0% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.9%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.1%) and certificates (30.4%). Educational participation is high, with 26.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.5% in primary, 7.3% in secondary, and 2.0% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis reveals 74 active transport stops operating within Tumbarumba. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. They are served by 14 individual routes, collectively providing 1,243 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 209 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 177 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 16 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Tumbarumba faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 49% (~978 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.5%) and asthma (10.0%). A higher proportion of residents report no medical ailments at 59.0%, compared to 62.9% in Rest of NSW. Tumbarumba has a larger senior population, with 29.4% (~584 people) aged 65 and over, compared to 24.8% in Rest of NSW. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but better than the general population's metrics.

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

Tumbarumba had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 90.2% of its population being Australian citizens, 90.6% born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Tumbarumba, accounting for 63.8% of the population, compared to 65.3% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (32.3%), English (30.1%), and Scottish (9.0%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal people were overrepresented at 5.5%, compared to 4.8% regionally; German ancestry was also higher at 4.9% versus 3.7%; Maori ancestry was present at 0.6%, slightly above the regional average of 0.4%.

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

Tumbarumba's median age at 47 years 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 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 15.7% of the population, while the 25-34 age group is smaller at 8.5%. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is higher than the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and the present, the percentage of the population aged 65 to 74 has increased from 13.7% to 15.7%, while the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 9.1% to 10.7%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has decreased from 14.4% to 12.3%, and the 25 to 34 age group has dropped from 9.8% to 8.5%. By 2041, Tumbarumba's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 16 people, reaching 216 from 186, and those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 80% of the population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age groups.