Cootamundra (NSW)

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According to ABS demographic updates and fresh address validation from Districts, the suburb of Cootamundra has an estimated population of 6,896 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 11 people (0.2%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 6,885 residents. The calculation stems from an estimated resident population of 6,896 based on the June 2025 ABS ERP figures alongside 38 validated new addresses registered since the census. The population density is 7.8 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious living environment. The local post-census expansion of 0.2% is within 2.0 percentage points of the wider SA4 region (2.2%), showing steady growth. Population expansion was driven almost entirely by overseas migration, which served as the primary source of gains in recent times.

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The local workforce exhibits a steady split between blue-collar and white-collar roles, with a solid footprint in essential service industries and a low unemployment rate of 3.3% according to Districts statistical aggregations. As of March 2026, there are 2,641 employed residents. The unemployment rate sits 0.8% below the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, whereas workforce participation is notably lower at 46.5% compared to the regional figure of 60.6%. Census data indicates that 8.5% of working residents operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

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According to financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by Districts, income levels in Cootamundra trend below the national average. The median income for local taxpayers is $46,248 and the average income is $59,418, compared to Regional NSW marks of $52,390 and $65,215. Adjusting for a 10.32% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be roughly $51,021 for the median and $65,550 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes all placed between the 4th and 10th percentiles nationally. Looking at the distribution of earnings, 29.8% of the population (2,055 people) earn between $400 - 799, whereas the dominant bracket in the surrounding region is - at . Although housing costs are low, with residents keeping of their income, total disposable income sits in the th percentile nationwide.

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At the time of the last Census, the local housing mix consisted of 91.6% houses and 8.4% semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and other housing types, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership was high at 50.0%, with the remaining properties split between mortgaged homes (25.6%) and rentals (24.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,149 was notably lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $220 was below the regional figure of $330. Nationally, local mortgage commitments are well below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially lower than the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up 64.8% of households, consisting of couples with children at 20.0%, couples without children at 34.1%, and single-parent households at 10.1%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 35.2%, comprising single-person households at 33.2% and group housing at 1.9%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is slightly smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Educational attainment levels show that 13.1% of residents hold a university qualification, which is lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Among these, bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 1.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Vocational education is prominent, with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 30.6%.

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Public transport services include 222 active stops in Cootamundra, providing train and bus connections. These stops are served by 35 routes, which accommodate 875 weekly passenger journeys. Access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 152 meters from their nearest stop. Commuting patterns show most residents travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 91%, followed by walking at 6%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.3 per household, which is below the regional average. Working from home is relatively low at 8.5% according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Health assessments by Districts regarding mortality and chronic disease show notable challenges for Cootamundra, with illness prevalent across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low, held by approximately 50% of the population (~3,479 people), compared to a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity metrics are below average, with citizens making up 91.7% of the population, 92.5% born in Australia, and 97.3% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 69.5% of residents, compared to 55.9% in Regional NSW.

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The median age of 51 years is higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. The 75 - 84 age group is over-represented locally at 12.6% compared to the regional average, and is also above the national level of 6.1%, while 35 - 44 year-olds are under-represented at 7.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 bracket grew from 10.9% to 12.6%, and the 15 to 24 group rose from 9.3% to 10.6%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 group fell from 14.7% to 13.2%, and the to cohort decreased from to . By demographic shifts will see the + bracket grow by ( people), rising from to . Residents aged + will account for of the projected growth, while the to and to brackets are expected to decrease.

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Cootamundra currently has an estimated 337 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 193 children aged 0-2 and 130 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 2% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 1% by 2041 (to approximately 342 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 606. Birth rates in the area have averaged 9.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.