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

As of February 2026, the estimated population of Windale is around 3,673. This reflects an increase of 252 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,421. AreaSearch's analysis, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and additional validated new addresses, estimates the resident population at 3,577. This results in a population density ratio of 1,783 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Windale's population growth of 7.4% since the 2021 Census exceeded that of its SA3 area (4.1%) and the Rest of NSW. Interstate migration contributed approximately 63.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia's data for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a 2022 base year. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a 2021 base year are utilized. 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 increase by 319 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 3.6% 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 approximately 18 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending FY25. This totals an estimated 94 homes. In FY26 so far, 10 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.8 new residents arrive per new home each year between FY21 and FY25.

The average construction value of these dwellings is $422,000. Windale has registered $3.7 million in commercial approvals this financial year. Compared to the rest of NSW, Windale's construction activity is 31.0% higher per person over the past five years. Recent construction comprises 29.0% standalone homes and 71.0% townhouses or apartments. With around 366 people per dwelling approval, Windale indicates a developed market.

Future projections estimate Windale to add 134 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand readily, offering favorable 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 impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects that could affect the region. Notable initiatives include The Summit, Windale Area Plan, Ryhope Street Subdivision, and Mount Hutton Precinct Area Plan. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

Windale has a mixed workforce comprising white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 14.1% as of September 2025. This rate is 6.5 percentage points higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Windale is lower at 45.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census data, only 8.5% of residents work from home. The leading industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Windale specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.4% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels in Windale increased by 0.2%, while the labour force grew by 3.0%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 2.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.5% and a labour force decline of 0.1%, with an unemployment rate increase of 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, project national 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.

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

Windale's median assessed income in financial year 2023 was $36,388, lower than the national average. The suburb's average income stood at $47,210 during this period. In contrast, Rest of NSW had a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215 in the same year. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%, current estimates for Windale's median income are approximately $39,612 as of September 2025, with the average estimated at $51,393 during this period. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Windale fall between the 0th and 2nd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. In Windale, 37.5% of residents earn within the $400-$799 income range, differing from broader areas where the $1,500-$2,999 category is predominant at 29.9%. A significant portion (52%) of Windale's population has incomes below $800 per week, indicating financial constraints for many households in the suburb. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 75.7% of income remaining after housing costs, 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 dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 74.8% houses and 25.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% 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, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Windale was $186, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Windale's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,478 versus the Australian 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, including 14.4% couples with children, 15.3% couples without children, and 26.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 42.0%, with lone person households at 38.3% and group households making up 3.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

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 the NSW average of 32.2%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 5.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (0.9%) and graduate diplomas (0.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (5.5%) and certificates (32.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 34.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 13.9% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Windale has 45 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 21 different routes that together facilitate 693 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these stops is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 136 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards from Windale, primarily using cars at a rate of 92%. On average, there are 0.7 vehicles per dwelling in Windale, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 8.5% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency across all routes averages 99 trips per day, equating 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, as assessed by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and prevalence of chronic conditions are high, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 46% of Windale's total population (~1,678 people), compared to 51.9% in the rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (16.3%) and asthma (14.0%), with 46.7% reporting no medical ailments, lower than the 63.3% in the rest of NSW. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Windale has 17.2% of residents aged 65 and over (631 people), lower than the 23.4% in the rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings.

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 below average, with 84.9% being citizens and 93.9% born in Australia. English was spoken at home by 96.4%. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 46.6%.

The 'Other' category made up 0.8%, similar to Rest of NSW's 0.8%. Ancestry-wise, Australian (35.5%) and English (30.1%) were top, both higher than regional averages. Australian Aboriginal (12.0%) was also notably high compared to the region (4.6%). Welsh (0.5%), Samoan (0.1%), and Vietnamese (0.3%) were overrepresented in Windale compared to regional figures.

Windale's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Windale is 36 years, which is significantly below Rest of NSW's average of 43 years, and somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group shows strong representation at 16.2% compared to Rest of NSW, while the 75-84 cohort is less prevalent at 5.7%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 25-34 age group has grown from 13.4% to 16.2%, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 11.1% to 12.2%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 15.4% to 13.7%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 12.3% to 10.7%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Windale. Leading this shift, the 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 12 people (from 595 to 667), while the 5-14 and 55-64 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.