West Tamworth (NSW)

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Drawing from ABS population statistics for the surrounding region and subsequent address validations conducted by Districts after the Census, the suburb of West Tamworth had an estimated 5,899 residents in May 2026. This represents a growth of 428 individuals (7.8%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 5,471 people. This shift is calculated from a resident population baseline of 5,788, determined by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP data release, combined with an extra 162 validated new addresses identified post-Census. With these figures, the population density stands at 943 persons per square kilometer, a level that aligns closely with the typical averages observed across various locations evaluated by Districts. The suburb of West Tamworth's 7.8% expansion rate since the 2021 census outpaced both the SA4 region (3.6%) and the Rest of NSW, establishing the locality as a leader in regional growth. The expansion was primarily fueled by natural increase, which accounted for roughly of the total population gains in recent times, though positive contributions were also recorded from overseas and interstate migration drivers.

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The suburb of West Tamworth features a balanced workforce distribution across white-collar and blue-collar occupations, with a robust presence in industrial and manufacturing sectors, alongside an unemployment rate of 10.9%, based on Districts aggregates of statistical area data. There were 2,605 employed residents in March 2026, while the jobless rate was 6.8% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, showing potential for labor market improvement, and participation rates closely mirrored the Regional NSW average of 60.6%. Census data indicates that a modest 8.9% of the workforce operated from home, though the influence of pandemic-related restrictions during that period should be kept in mind.

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Based on the most recent ATO figures compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year, the suburb of West Tamworth records income levels below the national benchmark. Taxpayers in the suburb of West Tamworth earn a median income of $41,225 and an average income of $49,665, compared to Regional NSW figures of $52,390 and $65,215. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, current income estimates would be roughly $45,479 for the median and $54,790 for the average as of March 2026. According to Census records, family, household, and individual incomes in the suburb of West Tamworth all sit within the 5th to 14th percentiles nationwide. In terms of distribution, 30.2% of the population (representing 1,781 residents) earn within the $800 - 1,499 bracket, contrasting with the wider regional pattern where the - range is most common at . Affordability constraints are significant, with residents retaining only of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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Residential structures in the suburb of West Tamworth at the time of the last Census consisted of 81.0% separate houses and 19.0% alternative dwellings including semi-detached homes, apartments, and other housing types, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership levels in the suburb of West Tamworth were below the Regional NSW average, standing at 27.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (18.6%) or renting (53.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 was lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $275 compared to $330 regionally. On a national level, mortgage costs in the suburb of West Tamworth are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national average of $375.

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Families make up 58.6% of the households in the area, consisting of 16.2% couples with children, 20.7% couples without children, and 19.7% single parent families. The remaining 41.4% of households are non-family arrangements, with single person households accounting for 36.9% and group households making up 4.6% of the total. The median household occupancy is 2.3 people, which is slightly lower than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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The locality presents educational disparities, with university graduation rates of 13.9% falling well below the NSW average of 32.2%. This scenario presents both a developmental challenge and an opening for focused education programs. Among tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 7.6% and certificates at 29.6%.

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Public transport analysis identifies 140 active transit stops in the suburb of West Tamworth, consisting of bus services. These stops support 67 separate routes that deliver 1,289 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 92 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, with most workers commuting out of the area; private vehicles are the main transport method at 90%, while 7% walk. The average vehicle ownership rate is 0.9 per household, which is below the regional benchmark. A lower portion of the workforce (8.9%) worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Significant health concerns are present in the suburb of West Tamworth according to Districts' evaluation of mortality patterns and chronic illness rates, which affect both younger and older residents, and the rate of private health insurance is low at roughly 47% of the population, which represents about 2,751 individuals. This is lower than the Regional NSW rate of 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of West Tamworth exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity relative to broader benchmarks, with citizens making up 79.0% of the population, 87.5% born in Australia, and 89.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 54.4% of the population, compared to a rate of 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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Having a median age of 34, the suburb of West Tamworth is younger than Regional NSW at 43 and the national average of 38. The 25 - 34 age bracket is highly represented at 17.0% compared to the Regional NSW average, whereas the 65 - 74 bracket is less represented at 8.1%. Since 2021, the 25 to 34 age group has risen from 15.4% to 17.0% of the population, while the 5 to 14 bracket has fallen from 13.7% to 11.8%. Demographic projections suggest the age distribution in the suburb of West Tamworth will change by 2041, with the 25 to 34 cohort expected to grow by residents () from to while the to group is expected to reduce by people.

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West Tamworth currently has an estimated 442 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 270 children aged 0-2 and 181 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 19% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 23% by 2041 (to approximately 545 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 673. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 15.2 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.