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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
West Bathurst 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 Feb 2026, West Bathurst's population is estimated at around 3,743, reflecting a 109 person increase (3.0%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,634 people. This change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 3,701 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and two validated new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density is approximately 1,295 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. West Bathurst's growth rate of 3.0% since the census is within 0.2 percentage points of its SA4 region (3.2%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 73.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. Population projections for the suburb are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia's data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by this data.
Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of national non-metropolitan areas, with West Bathurst expected to expand by 1,018 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 26.1% over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Residential development activity is lower than average in West Bathurst according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets
West Bathurst experienced limited development activity with an average of two approvals per year over five years (13 approvals). This reflects its rural nature where development is driven by local housing needs rather than broad market demand. Note, the small sample size can significantly influence annual growth and relativity statistics.
West Bathurst had less construction activity compared to Rest of NSW and was below national averages. Recent development comprised entirely detached houses, maintaining the area's rural character with emphasis on space. With approximately 2513 people per dwelling approval, West Bathurst indicated a highly mature market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, West Bathurst is expected to grow by 976 residents by 2041.
If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
West Bathurst 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 identified five projects likely impacting the region. Key projects are Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment, Windradyne 1100 Subdivision, Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre, and 56 Colville Street Residential Development. The following list details those most relevant.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Transmission Project
Australia's first coordinated Renewable Energy Zone transmission project. It involves the delivery of 90km of 500kV and 150km of 330kV transmission lines, along with energy hubs at Merotherie and Elong Elong. The project will initially unlock 4.5 GW of network capacity, increasing to 6 GW by 2038. ACEREZ (Acciona, Cobra, Endeavour Energy) is the Network Operator responsible for design, construction, and 35 years of maintenance. Major construction is currently ramping up with a 1,200-bed workforce camp at Merotherie and a 600-bed site at Cassilis supporting thousands of local jobs.
Central-West Orana REZ Transmission Network
Major transmission infrastructure project involving the design, construction, and operation of new 500kV and 330kV transmission lines to connect the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) to the National Electricity Market. The project includes network upgrades and new substations centered around Dubbo, Dunedoo, and Mudgee, connecting to the existing grid near Wollar and Mount Piper. It will unlock at least 4.5GW of new network capacity by the late 2020s.
Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone
Australia's first Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), covering 20,000 square kilometres centered around Dubbo and Dunedoo. The project involves constructing 90km of 500kV and 150km of 330kV transmission lines, plus new energy hubs at Merotherie and Elong Elong. It will unlock 4.5 GW of initial network capacity, supporting up to 7.7 GW of solar, wind, and battery storage projects. Construction began in mid-2025 and is expected to power over 2.7 million homes while attracting up to $25 billion in private investment.
Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment
The $200 million Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment is a major healthcare upgrade delivering a mix of new-build expansions and refurbishments. Key clinical enhancements include an expanded Emergency Department, enhanced Maternity services with a Special Care Nursery, and a new non-acute mental health inpatient unit known as Panorama Clinic. The project also provides improved inpatient and outpatient services, additional operating theatres, expanded cardiology, a new paediatrics zone, and a new main entry on Mitre Street. The redevelopment includes over 70 additional car parking spaces and is designed with a strong Connection to Country, featuring light-filled spaces and improved access to Victoria Park.
Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre
A proposed six-level integrated medical precinct on the former Clancy Ford site. The facility is designed to include a private hospital with four operating theatres, radiology, pathology, womens health, and specialist practices. The project includes a multi-level carpark with a link bridge to the medical centre to provide approximately 580 to 950 spaces. Recent updates indicate ongoing negotiations between the developer and Bathurst Regional Council regarding carpark funding and capacity.
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.
Robin Hill Convenience Centre
A 6,500-square-metre convenience centre including a 7-Eleven service station, Subway, Red Rooster, and McDonald's. The development transformed an existing car dealership site and was completed and opened in March 2024.
The Gateway Bathurst
The Gateway Bathurst is a 27-hectare landmark mixed-use commercial and business precinct located in Kelso, featuring 1 kilometre of frontage to the Great Western Highway. The development is being delivered in multiple stages, with Stage 1 focused on quick-service restaurants, a service station, and childcare. Subsequent stages include large-format retail, vehicle showrooms, and light industrial services. Operational tenants include Metro Petroleum, Imagine Childcare, Oporto, and KFC, with major retail additions such as Harvey Norman, Beacon Lighting, and Rebel Sport under development or recently opened.
Employment
AreaSearch assessment indicates West Bathurst faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets
West Bathurst has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 5.7%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 1,916 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 1.8% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.
Workforce participation in West Bathurst is high at 66.7%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census responses, only 10.1% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Notably, employment in education & training is at 1.3 times the regional average.
Meanwhile, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with just 1.6% employment compared to Regional NSW's 5.3%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.0%, employment fell by 5.2%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.3 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force contract by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to West Bathurst's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 30, 2023, West Bathurst had a median income among taxpayers of $48,443 with an average level of $58,424. This is lower than national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 for regional NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year ended June 30, 2023, estimated median income would be approximately $52,735 and average income around $63,600 as of September 2025. Census data from 2021 shows household incomes in West Bathurst rank at the 24th percentile, family incomes at the 28th percentile, and personal incomes at the 34th percentile. Income brackets indicate that 32% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, similar to the surrounding region where 29.9% fall into this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in West Bathurst, with only 83.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 20th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
West Bathurst is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
In West Bathurst, as per the latest Census evaluation, 94.8% of dwellings were houses while 5.2% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasted with Regional NSW's figures of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Bathurst stood at 32.6%, with mortgaged properties at 28.7% and rented ones at 38.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,443, under the Regional NSW average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in West Bathurst was $310, compared to $330 in Regional NSW. Nationally, West Bathurst's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,443 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $310 against the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
West Bathurst features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 62.0% of all households, including 19.9% couples with children, 23.0% couples without children, and 17.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.0%, with lone person households at 34.2% and group households making up 4.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in West Bathurst fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
The area has university qualification rates of 20.0%, which is significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 29.7%.
Educational participation is notably high, with 31.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Public transport analysis shows 77 active transport stops in West Bathurst, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 43 individual routes, collectively offering 676 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 119 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature, with car being the dominant mode at 96%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 10.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.
Service frequency averages 96 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 8 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in West Bathurst is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
West Bathurst faces substantial health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts.
Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~1,874 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues impact 11.2% of residents, while asthma affects 11.1%. 60.9% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. There are 18.9% of residents aged 65 and over (707 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings even higher than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
West Bathurst is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
West Bathurst had a cultural diversity level below average, with 89.0% of its population being citizens, 90.8% born in Australia, and 94.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in West Bathurst, comprising 56.0% of people, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (30.9%), Australian (29.4%), and Irish (10.5%).
Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 7.3%, compared to the regional average of 4.6%. Welsh and Lebanese representations were also slightly higher than the regional averages, at 0.6% and 0.2% respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
West Bathurst's population is slightly younger than the national pattern
The median age in West Bathurst is 36 years, which is significantly lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 years, and somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 15.0% of the population in West Bathurst, compared to Regional NSW. However, the 65-74 age cohort is less prevalent at 8.6%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.3% to 7.4% of West Bathurst's population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has decreased from 11.2% to 9.8%, and the 5 to 14 age group has dropped from 12.9% to 11.6%. Population forecasts for West Bathurst indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. Notably, the 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 60%, reaching 901 people from its current total of 561. Conversely, the 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.