Goulburn · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)

Economy & Advantage in Goulburn

How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.

Over 1,700 businesses operate in Goulburn, making it one of the largest commercial hubs for its type. However, the area faces challenges with limited access to money and job skills, with a typical advantage score of 933 which is lower than most Australian areas.

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📍 Goulburn, Statistical Area 2 (SA2)

Where Goulburn sits — Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

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All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Goulburn — lower than 71% of areas.

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile) compared with the state and national average
Goulburn3
2580, NSW 4

Socio-economic advantage

SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.

Residents here have less access to money, resources, and education than people in about 80% of similar areas. This is reflected in an overall advantage score that is lower than the national average.

3

Lower than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.

3

Lower than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.

3

Lower than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.

2

Lower than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.

933

Lower than 77% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.

Population growth

Annual population estimates and change since the census.

The population has grown by 3.9% since 2021, reaching 25,647 people. This growth rate is a little below the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.

Business & building

Operating businesses and dwellings approved.

With 1,734 businesses, Goulburn is larger than about 82% of similar areas.

1,734

Higher than 82% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.

Sources

  • Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 (CC BY 4.0).
  • Regional Population (Estimated Resident Population) — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024 (CC BY 4.0).
  • Counts of Australian Businesses & Building Approvals — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2025 (CC BY 4.0).

More for Goulburn

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Goulburn [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/101051539/goulburn/topic/economy-advantage