Crookwell (NSW)

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Crookwell had a resident population of 2,686 during the 2021 Census, but recent ABS updates and quarterly validated address counts compiled by Districts indicate the population has reached approximately 2,887 by May 2026. This represents a gain of 201 residents, or 7.5%. The figure builds upon an estimated 2,827 residents recorded after the ABS released its June 2025 ERP figures, combined with 105 validated new addresses added since the census. The suburb of Crookwell has a density of 13.9 persons per square kilometer, indicating residents enjoy significant personal space. This growth rate of 7.5% outpaced the 4.5% rate in the broader SA4 region and also exceeded the Rest of NSW, making the suburb of Crookwell a regional leader. This upward trend was mostly fueled by people relocating from other states, with interstate migration accounting for about 74.0% of the population increase, though overseas arrivals and natural increase also made positive contributions.

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The local labor market is evenly split between manual and professional roles, with a strong presence in public service delivery and an unemployment rate of just 3.0%. There were 1,260 employed people living in the area as of March 2026, with the jobless rate sitting 1.1% lower than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%. However, participation in the workforce is notably lower, at 53.6% compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census records show that only 9.3% of workers performed their duties from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic containment measures.

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ATO figures from the 2023 financial year show that taxpayers in the suburb of Crookwell had a median income of $43,162 and an average income of $54,181. These figures are lower than the national benchmarks, and compare to regional averages of $52,390 and $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of $47,616 for the median and $59,772 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Crookwell in the 13th to 17th national percentiles. The most common weekly income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, which contains 29.5% of the population (851 people), very close to the broader regional rate of . Residents retain a high share of their income at due to low housing costs, but total disposable income sits in the th percentile nationally.

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At the time of the last Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Crookwell consisted of 94.3% separate houses and 5.6% alternative housing types, such as apartments and townhouses, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings across Regional NSW. Home ownership was common, with 56.3% of homes owned outright, while the remaining properties were split between those with a mortgage (26.6%) and rentals (17.0%). Monthly mortgage outlays were low compared to the Regional NSW average of $1,733, sitting at a median of $1,356. Weekly rents averaged $280, compared to $330 regionally. These figures are also low compared to national medians, which stand at $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for weekly rent.

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Families make up 66.8% of households, with couples without children representing 33.4%, couples with children at 22.4%, and single parent households at 10.6%. The remaining 33.2% are non-family households, which consist of single-person households at 32.2% and group households at 0.6%. The average household size of 2.2 residents is slightly below the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Tertiary education rates are low in the area, with 12.7% of residents holding a university degree, compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. Among those with degrees, bachelor degrees account for 8.6%, post-graduate degrees make up 2.1%, and graduate diplomas represent 2.0%. Vocational training is much more common, with 40.7% of residents aged 15 and over holding a trade or technical qualification, which is split between advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 30.7%.

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Commuters have access to 90 bus stops in the suburb of Crookwell, which are serviced by 13 routes that run a combined 276 passenger trips each week. Access is convenient, with residents living an average of 172 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers commute outside the area. Private vehicles are the main transport method at 91%, followed by walking at 7%. Households average 1.6 vehicles. A small proportion of residents (9.3%) worked from home during the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.

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A review of chronic disease and mortality figures indicates that the suburb of Crookwell faces clear health issues across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is low, with only about 48% of the population (~1,397 people) holding policies, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity is low in the suburb of Crookwell, where 91.1% of the population hold citizenship, 93.1% were born in Australia, and 97.4% speak only English at home. The most common religious affiliation is Christianity, chosen by 72.4% of residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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The median age of 52 years in the suburb of Crookwell is much higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket is over-represented at 16.0%, while the 25 - 34 group is under-represented at 8.1%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 10.2% to 11.6%, and the 85+ cohort rose from 5.0% to 6.3%, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 11.0% to 10.0%. Long-term forecasts to 2041 point to continued aging, with the 85+ group projected to expand by by adding residents to reach . Residents aged and over will account for of total growth, while the to cohort is expected to shrink by residents.

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Crookwell currently has an estimated 147 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 84 children aged 0-2 and 56 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 6% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 20% by 2041 (to approximately 177 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 258. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 7.3 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally.