Muswellbrook (NSW)

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Drawing from ABS population statistics for the surrounding region and address validations performed by Districts since the census, the suburb of Muswellbrook has an estimated residency of 12,605 people as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 333 individuals (2.7%) from the 12,272 residents logged in the 2021 Census. The estimation builds on a baseline of 12,595 residents calculated by Districts using the June 2025 ABS ERP figures, combined with 286 new validated residential addresses since the Census date. This population level yields a density of 46 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious layout. Muswellbrook's post-census growth rate of 2.7% trails that of the Rest of NSW (4.9%) by 2.2 percentage points, showing solid local expansion. Natural increase was the primary growth driver, accounting for roughly 65.0% of the overall population rise in recent times.

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Muswellbrook features a diverse labor force spanning industrial, manual, and professional services, with a strong manufacturing sector. The local unemployment rate stands at 6.7%, and jobs grew by an estimated 3.3% over the prior year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 5,583, while the unemployment rate was 2.6 percentage points higher than the Regional NSW rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is generally aligned with the Regional NSW figure of 60.6%. At the Census, a low 9.1% of employees worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by temporary pandemic lockdown policies.

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According to the latest ATO tax statistics for the 2023 financial year, local incomes in Muswellbrook run ahead of the national averages, showing a median income of $54,689 and an average of $70,561. This is higher than the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Applying the 10.32% Wage Price Index growth since the 2023 financial year yields estimated current figures of approximately $60,333 for the median and $77,843 for the average as of March 2026. However, Census records show that overall household, family, and individual incomes are moderate, placing between the 40th and 41st percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket is the largest, containing 32.6% of the population (4,109 residents), which is similar to the metropolitan average of 29.9%. Once housing costs are met, residents retain of their income for general living expenses.

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According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Muswellbrook was composed of 87.6% stand-alone houses and 12.5% semi-detached dwellings, apartments, or other housing types, compared to Regional NSW where stand-alone houses made up 82.6% and other dwellings constituted 17.4%. Homeownership rates are lower than the Regional NSW average, with 27.2% of homes owned outright, while 33.9% are mortgaged and 39.0% are occupied by tenants. The median mortgage payment in the area was $1,517 per month, which is below the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while weekly rent was $310 compared to $330 regionally. On a national level, Muswellbrook's median mortgage payments are lower than the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and rents are below the national median of $375.

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Families make up 67.5% of local households, consisting of 27.7% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 14.1% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 32.5% of homes, with single-person households at 29.6% and group housing at 3.0%. The median household occupancy is 2.5 persons, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Local education statistics indicate a lower-than-average rate of higher education, with 11.0% of residents holding a university degree compared to the NSW benchmark of 32.2%. Among those with degrees, bachelor programs are the most common at 8.0%, followed by postgraduate studies at 1.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.3%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 44.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.0% and certificates at 36.5%.

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Public transport analysis identifies 377 passenger transport stops across Muswellbrook, offering a combination of rail and bus options. These locations are served by 46 routes that provide 1,454 weekly services. Accessibility is high, with the average distance to a stop being 116 meters. Because the area is primarily residential, the majority of workers travel outside the suburb to work, with private vehicles serving as the primary transit mode for 95% of commuters. Household car ownership averages 1.4 vehicles. A low 9.1% of residents worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which may have been shaped by pandemic-era policies.

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Analysis of local mortality rates and chronic health conditions highlights clear medical concerns within Muswellbrook across multiple age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is relatively high, held by approximately 55% of the population (~6,910 people), compared to 51.9% of residents across Regional NSW.

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Muswellbrook exhibits a lower level of cultural diversity than average, with citizenship at 88.3%, Australian-born residents at 90.5%, and English-only speakers at home at 94.7%. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, followed by 58.0% of residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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The median age of 35 years in Muswellbrook is below the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, there is a high concentration of young adults aged 25 - 34 (15.3%) and a low representation of seniors aged 65 - 74 (8.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 4.2% to 5.4% of the population, while children aged 5 to 14 decreased from 15.3% to 14.4%. Projections indicate the age profile will change by 2041. The 75 to 84 age bracket is expected to see the fastest growth, increasing by 54% ( people) to reach . Overall population aging is expected to continue, with residents aged and older accounting for of the projected growth, while the to and to brackets are projected to contract.

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Muswellbrook currently has an estimated 920 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 544 children aged 0-2 and 364 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 12% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 7% by 2041 (to approximately 984 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,434. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.9 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.