Urban Centre · Area profile
Muswellbrook
13 km²
A significant shift in population has seen Muswellbrook grow much younger since 2011, with the typical age dropping by nine years to just 36. This community is now defined by a strong presence of children and a much higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than most similar areas. While the total population shrank by 15% over the decade, the area has become a hub for young families and those in full-time work. It is a place where large detached homes and industrial employment shape the local lifestyle.
Explore Muswellbrook by topic
The area is notably young, with children under 15 making up 21.8% of the population, which is well above the national figure. Indigenous residents now make up 13.1% of the community, a figure that has risen 12 points since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the proportion of people born overseas is far below the state and national figures. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 88.6% of the community. The number of people using another language at home is far below the national average, and very few residents speak little or no English.
Over half the population identifies as Christian, while 36.2% report having no religion. This last figure has risen 16 points since 2011, putting it slightly below the national level.
Education levels are lower than in most similar areas, with only 8.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Many residents hold a Certificate III or IV, and engineering is the most common field of qualification.
Typical weekly household incomes are $1,547, which is higher than in most similar areas but slightly below the state average. High earners are common, with 13.7% of people earning $2,000 or more a week.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than in the state or nation, affecting 33.2% of people. This includes a higher than usual rate of mental health conditions at 11.6%.
Unpaid care for children is more common here than in most areas, though volunteering has fallen sharply since 2011. About 10.4% of the community now volunteer.
One-parent families are much more common than in most areas, making up 20.1% of households. Roughly 30% of people live alone.
Detached houses are far more common here than in the state average, and 83.6% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Renting is much more common than in most similar areas, while outright home ownership has fallen since 2011.
The car is the primary way to get to work, with very few people using public transport. Only 7.9% of the workforce works from home, which is far below the national figure.
The community is quite mobile, with 41.5% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 14.9% of the population.
Full-time employment is much higher here than in most areas, and the workforce is heavily concentrated in mining, which accounts for 22.1% of jobs. Technicians and trades are the most common occupations.
The area is somewhat walkable, with most homes within a short walk of a school or public transport. However, access to groceries and health services on foot is far below the state average.