Yass

An assessment of population growth drivers in Yass reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, the population of the Yass statistical area (Lv2) is estimated at around 7,037 people. This reflects a growth of 274 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,763 people. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 6,816 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 158 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 70 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential room for further development. The Yass (SA2) experienced a growth rate of 4.1% since the 2021 census, exceeding the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.5%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 71.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the Yass statistical area (Lv2).

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Population projections indicate lower quartile growth for locations outside capital cities, with the Yass statistical area (Lv2) expected to grow by 256 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 0.5% in total over the 17 years.

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

Yass has seen approximately 29 new homes approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Around 147 homes were approved between FY-21 and FY-25, with an additional 17 approved in FY-26. On average, 0.3 new residents arrive per new home each year over the past five financial years.

This suggests that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections. The average construction value of new properties is $517,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, there have been $9.9 million in commercial approvals, reflecting steady commercial investment activity.

Compared to the Rest of NSW, Yass maintains similar development levels per person, consistent with broader area market balance. The majority of new developments consist of detached houses (84.0%) and attached dwellings (16.0%), preserving the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. With around 195 people per approval, Yass reflects a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Yass is forecasted to gain 35 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Yass has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Crago Mill Precinct, Hamilton Rise Yass, Yarrah - Yass River Masterplanned Community, and Yarrah at Yass River. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The labour market in Yass shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Yass has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.1%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 3,428 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.7% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Yass is 60.9%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries for employment among residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. Yass has a particular specialization in public administration & safety, with an employment share 2.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, manufacturing employs only 2.0% of local workers, lower than Rest of NSW's 5.8%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. In a 12-month period ending September 2025, labour force decreased by 5.4% while employment decreased by 5.5%, leaving unemployment broadly unchanged compared to Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.5%. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, slightly lower than the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts, released in May-25, project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Yass's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, although this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Yass has a high national income level according to the latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ending 30 June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Yass is $61,885, with an average income of $76,422. This compares to figures for the Rest of New South Wales (NSW) of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates suggest approximately $67,368 as the median income and $83,193 as the average income by September 2025. According to Census data from 2021, incomes in Yass cluster around the 55th percentile nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 33.1% of residents (2,329 people), mirroring the regional trend where 29.9% occupy this bracket. After housing costs, 85.6% of income remains for other expenses. The area's Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Yass' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.0% houses and 10.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 93.2% houses and 6.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yass stood at 34.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.9% and rented ones at 24.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,773, exceeding Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,699. Median weekly rent in Yass was $340, higher than Non-Metro NSW's $270. Nationally, Yass' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,773 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were less at $340 than the national figure of $375.

Yass has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 70.9% of all households, including 31.0% couples with children, 27.6% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.1%, with lone person households making up 27.5% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the Rest of NSW average.

Educational attainment in Yass aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Yass trail has educational qualifications that lag behind NSW regional benchmarks. In Yass trail, 23.0% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees compared to 32.2% in NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 38.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 10.7% while certificates make up 27.7%.

Educational participation is high in the region, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (11.3%), secondary education (7.9%), and tertiary education (3.1%).

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

The analysis of public transport in Yass shows that there are currently 144 active transport stops. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 37 individual routes operating, which together provide 590 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 193 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 84 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Yass is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows significant challenges for Yass, with high prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is notably high at approximately 57% (~4019 people), compared to 53.8% across Rest of NSW.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.2%) and mental health issues (10.1%). 59.9% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.6% in Rest of NSW. Yass has 21.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1527 people). Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

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

Yass has a lower cultural diversity, with 90.2% of its population born in Australia, 92.5% being citizens, and 95.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Yass, accounting for 59.6% of people, compared to 61.3% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (33.8%), English (30.2%), and Irish (10.1%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation is higher at 3.5% in Yass than the regional average of 2.9%, while Maltese (0.4%) and Macedonian (0.1%) groups also have slightly higher percentages compared to their respective regional averages of 0.3% and 0%.

Yass's median age exceeds the national pattern

Yass's median age is 42 years, similar to Rest of NSW's average of 43 but older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 5-14 are prominent at 13.2%, while the 65-74 group is smaller at 11.2% compared to Rest of NSW. Between January 2021 and present, the proportion of 15-24 year-olds has increased from 10.5% to 11.6%. Conversely, the proportion of those aged 45-54 has decreased from 12.9% to 12.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Yass. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 66%, adding 147 residents and reaching a total of 373. Senior residents aged 65+ will drive 61% of population growth, reflecting aging trends. Conversely, populations aged 35-44 and 15-24 are projected to decline.