Lithgow (NSW)

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Drawing from the latest ABS demographic adjustments for the region and new home locations verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Lithgow has an estimated residency of 4,785 as of May 2026. This indicates a loss of 171 individuals (3.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented 4,956 residents. This shift is calculated from a local population of 4,778, which Districts calculated using the June 2025 ABS ERP publication, alongside 38 newly validated addresses established since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 800 persons per square kilometer, matching typical averages across locations in the Districts database. Overseas migration served as the single primary catalyst for population increases in recent times.

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The suburb of Lithgow maintains a diverse workforce split between professional and manual occupations, with a strong representation in service industries and an unemployment rate of 6.1%, derived from Districts statistical area groupings. As of March 2026, there are 2,099 working locals, though unemployment sits 2.0% higher than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%, and local participation rates are much lower (54.5% versus 60.6% in Regional NSW). Based on Census records, a modest 12.0% of workers operated from home, though the influence of pandemic lockdowns must be kept in mind.

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According to the latest ATO postcode statistics for the 2023 financial year, local earnings in the suburb of Lithgow fall below national levels, with a median of $48,159 and an average of $60,708. This is lower than the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Incorporating Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current local estimates would stand at roughly $53,129 for the median and $66,973 for the average as of March 2026. Census records place household, family, and individual incomes for the suburb of Lithgow between the 3rd and 12th percentiles nationwide. In terms of earnings brackets, the largest group comprises 31.1% of residents (1,488 individuals) earning between $400 - 799 weekly, contrasting with the wider region where the - bracket is the largest at . The presence of of residents in weekly brackets below highlights the financial difficulties faced by a large share of the population. Housing costs are highly restrictive, with only of earnings left over after payments, ranking in the th percentile.

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Residential property types in the suburb of Lithgow at the last Census consisted of 81.9% houses and 18.1% alternative structures (including duplexes, units, and other dwellings), compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% alternative structures in Regional NSW. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Lithgow matched the regional level at 41.0%, while the remaining properties were split between those with mortgages (23.4%) and rentals (35.6%). The median monthly home loan payment in the locality was far lower than the regional benchmark of $1,733, standing at $1,326, while the median weekly rental cost was $280 compared to the regional figure of $330. Nationally, local mortgage payments are far lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent costs are also well below the national median of $375.

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Families represent the majority of local households at 53.6%, consisting of 15.4% couples raising children, 23.7% couples without children, and 13.3% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 46.4%, with single-person households at 43.7% and group housing making up 3.0% of the total. The median household occupancy of 2.0 people is smaller than the regional average of 2.4.

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The locality displays low levels of tertiary education, with university degree attainment (15.2%) falling far below the NSW average of 32.2%. This situation presents both a developmental hurdle and an opportunity for focused training programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.0%, with postgraduate degrees at 2.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational qualifications are prominent, with 40.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (31.0%).

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Public transit records show 101 active transport stops within the suburb of Lithgow, including both rail and bus facilities. These stops connect to 61 separate routes, generating 1,742 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is ranked as excellent, with residents living an average of 124 meters from their closest transport stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the locality, with private cars remaining the primary option at 85%, followed by walking at 11%. Car ownership stands at 1.0 vehicle per home, below the regional norm. A low 12.0% of the workforce worked from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic-era patterns.

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Significant health issues are apparent in the suburb of Lithgow, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality indices and the occurrence of long-term medical issues, with various conditions affecting both youth and senior cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is low at roughly 51% of the population (~2,438 people).

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The suburb of Lithgow exhibits low levels of multicultural representation, with citizens making up 89.5% of the population, 86.4% of residents born in Australia, and 93.6% speaking only English in their homes. Christianity is the dominant religion at 56.8% of the local population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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With a median age of 49, the suburb of Lithgow is older than the Regional NSW average of 43 and sits significantly above the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to regional averages, the 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 15.7% locally, while children aged 5 - 14 are underrepresented at 9.5%. This 65 - 74 cohort is also much larger than the national average of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort grew from 9.6% to 11.1% of the population, and the 0 to 4 group rose from 4.0% to 5.3%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from to . Looking forward to demographic forecasts suggest significant changes in the local age profile. The and over cohort is expected to grow strongly, rising by individuals () from to . Older residents aged and over will account for of total population growth, highlighting the aging trend. In contrast, population declines are forecast for the to and to age groups.

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Lithgow currently has an estimated 253 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 160 children aged 0-2 and 108 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 28% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 1% by 2041 (to approximately 250 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 400. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 10.7 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.