Dungog
With a median age of 52, Dungog sits 12 years above the national figure, making it one of the most distinctly older communities in NSW. Despite that, the suburb has grown 18% since 2011, with internal migration adding an average of 117 residents a year, which is the primary engine of that growth. Household income lands in the 14.8th percentile nationally, well below the national median, yet 46.5% of residents own their homes outright, higher than most comparable regional towns. The median house price of $585,000 reflects a regional affordability story, and 94.6% of dwellings are detached houses, meaning buyers here are choosing a rural town lifestyle over density.
Population
1,983
Median Age
52.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,045/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
29
Median House
$585K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
At $585,000, the median house price sits well below Sydney and remains accessible for regional NSW. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.7% stays below the 30% stress threshold, keeping ownership financially sustainable. The stock is 94.6% detached houses with virtually no apartments (0.5%), so buyers get reliable land content but limited product variety. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 49.9% and 4-plus bedrooms at 24.9%. The 46.5% outright ownership rate is high compared to the national average, indicating long-term residents who have paid down their mortgages and are unlikely to sell under pressure.
For Buyers
At $585,000, the median house price sits well below Sydney and remains accessible for regional NSW. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.7% stays below the 30% stress threshold, keeping ownership financially sustainable. The stock is 94.6% detached houses with virtually no apartments (0.5%), so buyers get reliable land content but limited product variety. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 49.9% and 4-plus bedrooms at 24.9%. The 46.5% outright ownership rate is high compared to the national average, indicating long-term residents who have paid down their mortgages and are unlikely to sell under pressure.
For Investors
A 9.1% vacancy rate signals limited rental demand relative to available stock, which is elevated compared to most regional NSW towns. Weekly rent of $300 against a $585,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.7%, below typical investor targets. The renter share is 24.8% and net internal migration of 117 per year provides a steady population base. Development recorded 26 applications in the past 12 months, mostly garages and minor alterations. Rent grew 50% over the decade, indicating real landlord gains from a low base, but capital growth was flat across 2024-2025.
Development Activity
Total DAs
158
Last 12 Months
29
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-9.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Dungog iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Joseph's Primary School
K-6 · 142 students
Dungog High School
7-12 · 566 students
Dungog Public School
K-6 · 191 students
Demographics
At 52, the median age is 12 years above the national figure, and the trend is accelerating: the senior share rose 4.3 points while the working-age share fell 2.5 points over the decade. The overseas-born share of 4.5% is 17.1 points below national, reflecting an almost entirely Australian-born community. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic, led by English (902), Irish (251) and Scottish (183). University qualifications at 19.2% are 10.9 points below the national average, consistent with trade and labouring occupations dominating the workforce. Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, fitting the 35.8% couples-without-children profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.6%
Houses
4.3%
Townhouse
0.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright ownership at 46.5% is well above the national average of roughly 30%, because the older resident base has had decades to pay off mortgages. Mortgage holders are 28.7% and renters 24.8%. The stock is 94.6% detached houses with apartments at 0.5%, one of the lowest apartment shares in NSW. Three-bedroom homes make up 49.9% and 4-plus bedrooms 24.9%. The median house price held at $585,000 across 2024 and 2025 with zero recorded growth, a flat market compared to peri-urban and coastal NSW towns that saw double-digit gains over the same period.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$582
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.1%
Unoccupied
86
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.8%
Couples, no children
1,454
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 18.7% (90 workers), ahead of Education at 13.5% (65) and Construction at 10.8% (52), a services-and-trades mix typical of regional NSW. Labourers are the largest occupational group (119), followed by Community and Personal Services (111) and Professionals (92). The IEO decile of 4 is below the national median for education and occupation outcomes, while the IRSD decile of 5 sits at the national median for disadvantage. Unemployment at 4.3% is above the national rate, and the participation rate of 44.1% is low because 816 residents are not in the labour force, driven by the older age profile. Household income in the 14.8th percentile nationally confirms this is a lower-income community.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
4,813
Unemployed
165
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.2%
Part-time
39.5%
Participation
44.1%
Employed
714
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.2%
Postgraduate
3.1%
Born Overseas
4.5%
Dwellings
853
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 86.6% of commuters driving, above the national average, and only 0.7% use public transport, reflecting limited regional transit. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary. The IRSAD decile of 5 places Dungog at the national median for overall advantage, while the IER decile of 8 indicates above-average access to economic resources such as land relative to income, explained by the 46.5% outright ownership rate and affordable house prices. Volunteering at 20.7% is above the national average, and 10.9% of residents (208 people) need daily assistance, a rate that will grow as the median age of 52 continues to climb.
Drive
86.6%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
5.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.92%/yr
(+93 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 18% since 2011 to 10,102, above the trajectory for many regional NSW towns of similar size. Annual growth of 0.92% (93 persons per year) is forecast to continue, reaching 10,531 by 2031 on the medium scenario. Internal migration drives this at 117 net arrivals per year, compared to just 14 from overseas, indicating tree-changers and retirees rather than international settlement. The gentrification score is 21, classified as early signs nationally. Affordability has remained stable, with the rent-to-income ratio at 28.7%, meaning the population inflow has not yet pushed housing costs beyond reach. The aging trajectory means healthcare and services demand will grow faster than the working-age base.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+14
Net Internal / yr
+117
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +18% since 2011, Net internal migration +117/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Dungog compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dungog a good suburb to live in?
Dungog suits those seeking affordable regional living with a detached house. At $585,000 median and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.7%, ownership is financially sustainable. The IRSAD decile is 5 nationally, and volunteering at 20.7% shows community engagement. The trade-off is car dependency (86.6% drive) and limited services.
What is the median house price in Dungog?
The median house price is $585,000, unchanged across 2024 and 2025. Weekly rent averages $300 and the monthly mortgage cost is approximately $1,300, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.7%, which sits below the 30% financial stress threshold.
What schools are in Dungog?
No schools are recorded inside the Dungog suburb boundary in this dataset. University qualifications in Dungog sit at 19.2%, which is 10.9 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the regional and trade-oriented nature of the local workforce.
Is Dungog safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Dungog in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores IRSD decile 5, at the national median for relative disadvantage, and 10.9% of residents need daily assistance (208 people), which is above the average for low-disadvantage areas. The small population of 1,983 and 81.2% residential stability rate suggest a settled community.
Is Dungog good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Weekly rent of $300 against a $585,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.7%, below typical targets. The 9.1% vacancy rate is elevated compared to most regional NSW towns. However, rent grew 50% over the decade and net internal migration of 117 per year sustains demand. Capital growth was flat in 2024-2025.
How is Dungog's population changing?
Dungog's LGA population reached 10,102 in 2025, up 18% since 2011, growing at 0.92% annually. Internal migration of 117 net arrivals per year is the primary driver. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 4.3 points and working-age share down 2.5 points over the decade. Medium forecasts project 10,531 residents by 2031.
How much development is happening in Dungog?
There were 26 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly garages and minor alterations rather than new dwellings. This low volume is consistent with a stable, established regional town with annual population growth of 0.92% and a median house price that held flat at $585,000 across 2024-2025.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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