Oak Flats (NSW)

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Oak Flats has an estimated resident count of approximately 7,057 as of May 2026, calculated through Districts' monitoring of validated new addresses and ABS population adjustments since the Census. Compared to the 2021 Census figure of 6,840 people, this represents a gain of 217 residents, or 3.2%. This evaluation draws from a mid-2025 ABS ERP release indicating a population of 6,988, combined with an additional 240 validated new addresses since the Census. The suburb of Oak Flats has a density of 1,871 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the national average for locations analyzed by Districts. The growth rate of 3.2% since the census is within 1.7 percentage points of the Rest of NSW expansion rate of 4.9%, showing solid local growth dynamics. While natural increase and interstate migration were positive contributors, the upward trend was mostly propelled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 73.0% of the overall population rise during recent timeframes.

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Data compiled by Districts across statistical boundaries shows the suburb of Oak Flats has a balanced labor force split between professional and manual occupations, with a notable presence in essential service sectors. The unemployment rate is 6.5%, and local employment grew by an estimated 1.4% over the past year. As of March 2026, working residents total 3,303, while the jobless rate sits 2.4% above the 4.1% average for Regional NSW. Overall workforce participation aligns closely with the Regional NSW benchmark of 60.6%. Census data indicates that a moderate 19.8% of the working population operated from home, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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ATO records for the 2023 financial year indicate that personal incomes in the suburb of Oak Flats are slightly higher than national averages, with a median of $54,387 and an average of $69,531. In comparison, Regional NSW recorded a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates as of March 2026 point to a median income of roughly $60,000 and an average of $76,707. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual earnings in the area are modest, falling between the 28th and 35th percentiles. The primary earnings group includes 32.4% of residents, representing 2,286 individuals, who earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, mirroring the metropolitan pattern where are in the same bracket. Affordability pressures are notable, with residents retaining only of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Oak Flats was composed of 82.2% standalone houses and 17.7% alternative housing options, such as townhouses, apartments, or other structures. This compares to Regional NSW averages of 82.6% houses and 17.4% alternative dwellings. The home ownership rate in the suburb of Oak Flats was 42.6%, exceeding the regional average, while the remaining homes were occupied by residents with a mortgage (32.9%) or tenants (24.6%). Median monthly mortgage costs in the area were $1,950, which is higher than the regional average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent was $440, compared to $330 in Regional NSW. Nationally, mortgage costs in the area exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and rent levels are also higher than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up 74.2% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 28.5%, couples without children at 28.6%, and single-parent households at 15.0%. The remaining 25.8% are non-family households, which include lone person households at 23.2% and group shared homes at 2.8%. The median household occupancy is 2.5 residents, which is slightly above the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Educational attainment profiles reveal that 13.9% of residents hold university qualifications, which is lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This points to opportunities for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 9.7%, with postgraduate degrees at 2.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 44.9% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, including 11.0% with advanced diplomas and 33.9% holding certificates.

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Public transport services in the suburb of Oak Flats include 64 active stops, offering a combination of train and bus options. These stops support 47 separate routes, delivering 3,009 passenger trips each week. Transport access is strong, with the average distance to the nearest stop being 167 meters. The suburb is primarily residential, and 93% of commuting trips are made by car. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.5 cars per household. The 2021 Census recorded 19.8% of residents working from home, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Assessments of mortality patterns and the presence of long-term medical conditions highlight significant health challenges in the suburb of Oak Flats across different age groups. The rate of private health insurance coverage is solid, with approximately 54% of the population, or about 3,840 people, holding policies, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW.

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Cultural diversity measures are lower than average, with 82.1% of residents born in Australia, 89.9% holding citizenship, and 91.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 52.4% of residents in the suburb of Oak Flats, compared to 55.9% in Regional NSW.

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The median age in the suburb of Oak Flats is 42 years, which is similar to the Regional NSW average of 43 years and older than the national median of 38 years. Residents aged 25 to 34 are prominent at 12.8%, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort is relatively small at 10.3% compared to Regional NSW. Since 2021, the 0 to 4 age bracket grew from 5.1% to 6.4%, and the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 6.6% to 7.9%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 group shrank from 14.6% to 12.7%, and the 45 to 54 group declined from to . Population projections for point to shifts, with the to age group expected to grow by , adding residents to reach a total of while the to cohort is expected to decline by .

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Oak Flats currently has an estimated 451 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 246 children aged 0-2 and 163 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 30% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 27% by 2041 (to approximately 572 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 561. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 11.1 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.