Windale

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

Windale's population, as of November 2025, is estimated at around 3,585 people. This figure reflects an increase of 164 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,421. The current estimate is based on AreaSearch validation of new addresses and examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, indicating a resident population of 3,578 plus two additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,740 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Windale's growth rate of 4.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 2.9%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 63.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the suburb.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Windale is expected to expand by 311 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of approximately 5.9% in total over the 17-year period.

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

Windale has seen around 19 dwelling approvals annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 99 homes have received development approval. As of FY26, 11 approvals have been recorded. The average new residents per year arriving per new home over these five financial years is 0.7.

This indicates that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average value of new dwellings developed is $422,000, in line with regional trends. In FY26, commercial approvals totalling $484,000 have been registered, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Windale has recorded construction activity that is 38.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. However, this has eased recently.

Recent construction comprises 33.0% standalone homes and 67.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 75.0% houses. This trend reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring more diverse, affordable housing options. With around 348 people per dwelling approval, Windale shows a developed market. Future projections estimate Windale to add approximately 210 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include The Summit, Windale Area Plan, Mount Hutton Precinct Area Plan, and Tingira Hills Care Community. Below is a list detailing those most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

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

Windale has a mixed workforce including both white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include essential services.

The unemployment rate is 13.6%. Over the past year, employment has remained relatively stable. As of June 2025, 1,111 residents are employed, but the unemployment rate is high at 9.9% compared to Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation is low at 34.6%, significantly below Rest of NSW's 56.4%.

Major employment industries are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Windale specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.4% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.3%, while the labour force grew by 1.8%, raising the unemployment rate by 1.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.1% and a labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Windale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows Windale's median income is $36,388 and average income is $47,210. This is lower than national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average). By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $40,977 (median) and $53,163 (average), based on a 12.61% growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census indicates Windale's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 0th and 2nd percentiles nationally. In Windale, 37.5% of residents earn $400-$799 weekly, differing from broader areas where the $1,500-$2,999 category is predominant at 29.9%. The prevalence of lower-income residents (52.0% earning under $800/week) suggests constrained household budgets. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 75.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 2nd percentile nationally.

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

Windale's dwellings, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 74.8% houses and 25.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro NSW had 82.4% houses and 17.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Windale was at 7.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 10.9% and rented ones at 81.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,478, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Windale was $186, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $370. Nationally, Windale's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,478 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 58.0% of all households, composed of 14.4% couples with children, 15.3% couples without children, and 26.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 42.0%, with lone person households at 38.3% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 6.3%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 5.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (0.9%) and graduate diplomas (0.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (5.5%) and certificates (32.6%). Educational participation is high at 34.8%, comprising primary education (13.9%), secondary education (9.3%), and tertiary education (2.1%).

Windale Public School and St Pius X Primary School serve 292 students collectively, with varied educational conditions (ICSEA: 829). Both schools focus on primary education only; secondary options are available in nearby areas. There are 8.2 school places per 100 residents, below the regional average of 14.6, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Windale has 43 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 21 different routes that together facilitate 672 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located just 136 meters from the nearest stop.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 96 trips across all routes, which translates to approximately 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Windale faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 46%, covering around 1,637 people, compared to Rest of NSW's 54.2% and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are prevalent, impacting 16.3% and 14.0% of residents respectively.

However, 46.7% report being free from medical ailments, compared to Rest of NSW's 62.6%. Windale has 16.8% of residents aged 65 and over (602 people), lower than the 21.4% in Rest of NSW. Senior health outcomes face challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

The latest Census data sees Windale placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Windale's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.9% of its population being Australian citizens and 96.4% speaking English only at home as of March 2016 data. Born in Australia comprised 93.9%. Christianity was the dominant religion, making up 46.6% of Windale's population.

The category Other religions was overrepresented at 0.8%, compared to Rest of NSW's 0.4%. In terms of ancestry, Australian was the top group at 35.5%, followed by English at 30.1%, and Australian Aboriginal at 12.0%, which was significantly higher than the regional average of 3.4% as per the 2016 Census. Notably, Welsh (0.5%) and Vietnamese (0.3%) were also overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.8% and 0.1% respectively.

Windale's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Windale is 36 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years. This is also somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group constitutes 16.0% of Windale's population, compared to the Rest of NSW figure. Conversely, the 85+ cohort represents only 0.6% of Windale's population. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 25-34 age group has grown from 13.4% to 16.0% of Windale's population. However, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 12.3% to 10.9%, and the 5-14 age group has decreased from 15.4% to 14.1%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Windale. Notably, the 35-44 age group is expected to grow by 22% (91 people), reaching a total of 515 individuals from its current figure of 423. Conversely, both the 55-64 and 5-14 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.